all valid points here in their own right and I first wasn't going to comment publicly as Daryl is a good friend, co-artist and collaborator in the Chinapainting duo of which we've had some similar dialog on some marketing strategies for Chinapainting. I didn't want it felt that my opinions were not objective enough but I think I have some things to share on this thread.
All I've ever wanted to do in my adult years has been make a living as a musician. The reality in that is if you are willing to change your living standards sometimes then it's entirely possible.
David Wilcox (fine guitarist/singer-songwriter) basically did that early in his career, he wanted to music all the time, had no real responsibilities as I recall and so he lowered his needs and made it until things got better.
My real belief and desire to put my all into music also came at the most complicated time in my life when I had moved to NY, married with 2 new children who would later be in private school. For family health care now costs me $950/mo. and if I had a car which I no longer do insurance is not cheap here. So making income is important to me and I too have a similar day gig to Daryl's though not as fortunate to be home-based but salute corp America M-F in a law firm. Though it's not so bad as I get a month off a year which is good for family vacation and still leaving time for limited touring for me. I do work at and never let go of the possibility that what I may be doing may set the stage for music taking over. I have had a few things happen to inch that forward such as publishing with
Mel Bay that though it won't pay the rent it will subsidize my retirement though I never figure I'll retire, my feeling is at that age I'll be on the road with music if I'm healthy and things go well. But anyhow the publishing gen's a small bit of money, I also freelance doing Finale which gen's some cash and I teach a small bit, all enough to profit/loss my music.
In the end though as altruistic as what Chris said and has been said to me many times, don't play for free and yes there is the arguement that doing it breaks down the strength of indie artists but gosh what are we supposed to do, sit home and play for the wife and girlfriend and cats! Music can't be kept inside it must be played for people. One stage of mine happens every day and that is playing on the subway platform while waiting on the train and occasionally it generates some cash, it once brought me a wedding that led to a nice sum so I've learned you never know where the music will go or what it will lead to. In the end I know personally I must perform the music that I've been given or allowed to realize as it's a gift, regardless whether I make income or have to pay my way to go do it. I've made some judgement calls over time meaning yes there are times it makes sense to say no but in the long run I will as one of my main influences said, 'play guitar for anyone who will listen'.
Lastly a mentor of a few years ago often reminded me that even Charlie Ives had a day gig.
Go play for someone today whether it puts food on your table or not...
Best to all
jim
On Thu, Apr 10, 2008 at 4:36 PM, Chris Sewell <
lunamusic@mac.com> wrote:
Its power did. Used to be, you couldn't get on stage in any reputable venue without a union card.
On Apr 10, 2008, at 4:31 PM, Travis Hartnett wrote:
The Musicians Union never went away...
TH
On Thu, Apr 10, 2008 at 1:29 PM, Chris Sewell <
lunamusic@mac.com> wrote:
Only because we allow it. I say bring back the union.
--
The Acoustic World Guitar of Jim Goodin - http://www.jimgoodinmusic.com
MySpace (solo) - http://www.myspace.com/jimgoodinmusic
Chinapainting -
http://www.chinapaintingmusic.com
Chinapainting on My Space -
http://www.myspace.com/chinapaintingmusic.com
The Jim Goodin label and home for 7 other creative souls - http://www.woodandwiremusic.com
Jim Goodin uses GHS Strings - http://www.ghsstrings.com and Seagull Guitars - http://www.seagullguitars.com, Jim Goodin is published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc. - http://www.melbay.com