Paying to see local talent?
We have some talented musicians on the Southern Oregon Coast. No doubt about that. You can see a number of them playing live almost every weekend of the year, and often on weekdays. These musicians play at local coffee cafes, restaurants, farmers markets, local festivals and at monthly events such as the Saturday Art Walk. These musicians play for free, hoping to gain new fans and sell a few self-produced CDs. Occasionally, musicians and local business owners will charge a nominal fee ($10 or less) to see a concert, only to sell a handful tickets and see the artists perform to small (yet enthusiastic) crowds.
To charge or not to charge? That is the conundrum that local musicians face every week. I’m a firm believer that what they do should be rewarded. After all, most of them have day jobs and sacrifice their limited personal time to rehearse and perform publicly, hoping to scrounge up enough money to pay for gas and maybe a guitar pick or two. At the same time, local business owners who provide a venue for us to see live music should get a little money for their efforts, otherwise opportunities in this remote area to experience live music of any kind would disappear. People don’t think twice about paying $15 or more to see live music at the Pistol River Concert Hall. Is it because the musicians playing there are new to us? Someone we haven’t already seen playing locally several times? These are questions that I and music-minded folks ponder, and we can’t seem to find the answer. Perhaps you can help. Please leave a comment and let us know what you think. Thanks
- Scott
Thanks Scott, for your comment and this Web-site. I have played in bands since high school in the late 60’s. Back in those days, when, as teens, we looked forward to the weekend dances…yes, we actually danced– we often payed anywhere from a $1 to $2 to get into a dance. There was the cost of renting the hall, paying for security…and then the band got what was left. As a musician and band member back then, I recall making as much as $50 a piece for a three hour dance–often 4 or 5 members in a “group.” Of couse I remember making as little as $3 or $4, too. On average I would say we would make about $25 each. I know times have changed….. nightclubs and dancing has changed…. still, it seems, people like music in all different kinds of settings. Music feeds the spirit and soul of the players and listeners; music adds ambiance to any setting….. any event. Why do many people believe it should be free ? Anytime anything is offered free, it is never really free; it costs somebody somewhere something, or the cost is hidden and you will pay somehow, somewhere, sometime. We as musicians are upfront about this…. our charge is upfront, in your face, honest and direct. We would like to get compensated for our talent….. no different than the Artist who puts paint on a canvas…… our offer is less tangible more esthetic, ethereal…. it is consumed as it is produced…. never-the-less we do provide a consumable product; one that most individuals cannot reproduce at home, like a steak dinner. One last thot….. “there is nothing to do, here, in Brookings.” a comment often heard in the Bookstore. Art, Music, Theater….Coffee Shops, Resturants, Pubs, Cinema… not to mention the rivers and beaches ! Support the local talent that brings culture and entertainment to our community. Suppoprt the local merchants that provide the venues for our entertainment and culture !