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