Nashville business the grass isn't greener

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Thursday Dec 31, 2009

On a business note. After meeting several agents I found it interesting to learn almost all musicians in Nashville play for free. They pass the hat at several points in the evening. The acts porvided their oun pa lights and sound person. They sell Tee shirts and Cds to help with costs. When they book larger events their agent requires a non-refundable deposit and contract to secure the date. The agent takes the first 10% and does not supply lights or pa equipment. The band rents or buy it as a group. The expenses come off second. Then the band mates and sound/light person split what is left. Very few musicians can afford to live off their music. They have 2nd jobs or mates that pay living expenses. The Bars and Booking agents are always paid. All in all I think we are better off getting 75.00 to 100.00 a gig no agent no sound men lighting or pa expenses. Deb

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Thursday Dec 31, 2009

I've also heard that musicians playing The Grand Ole Opry only get paid scale.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Thursday Dec 31, 2009

Our buddy Phil C. used to tell me this saying all the time:

"There's a thousand musicians on the streets of Nashville and every one of them is better than me!"

Banned · Post by **Banned** » Thursday Dec 31, 2009

bassist_25 wrote:I've also heard that musicians playing The Grand Ole Opry only get paid scale.

I don't know if that is true but I will ask my agent. It sounds right. There is so much talant that will play for free just to be heard. I would rather be a big fish in a little pond. If you are good enough they will come to you. Jeff you are right. It is still worth a trip to jam with these great folks. They stole my heart. Check out the one some nice folks http://thewildwestband.com

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Thursday Dec 31, 2009

That's how it was when I used to go. People are more than happy to play for free, because there's a million guys in line behind you who'd play for free, too.
My favorite Nashville story is my first 5 minutes in town. We took a wrong turn on our first trip there, and wound up in the District, the hub of tourist activity, and a favorite place for panhandlers at the time. We pulled up to a red light on a stifling August day in Tennessee, and there was a kid of about 14 playing guitar with an open case, for tips. He was incredible. I had driven an old Suzuki Samurai in the heat for 12 hours, and I very nearly turned around and went home. The rest of my trip went extremely well, the stuff of daydreams, but talk about a bad impression!--->JMS