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Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician
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Subject: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Justa Picker Date: 07 Jun 01 - 12:43 PM Just wondering what others have done (or do) to get by when music is all you want to do,but you're temporarily broke. In the beginning whenever I wanted a decent meal (and was broke) I'd throw on a suit and tie, and crash Bar Mitzvahs, Weddings, and even corporate events. I'd find out the name of the function off of the roster at the venue location, walk in like I had every right to be there, hit the bar for a few free drinks, shake hands with a few people and b.s. them that I was a friend of whoever's; then head back into the kitchen or service area and tell the staff I was with the band, and could they fetch me something to eat, as I was on a short break. Worked like a charm. This was however many years ago and I only needed to subsist this way for a few months. Then things got better. (Not, The Talented Mr. Ripley however.) Anyone else got any good stories? |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Rick Fielding Date: 07 Jun 01 - 01:11 PM HOSPITALS, HOSPITALS, HOSPITALS! Although I crashed many a party (which can be fun) there was a period where I ate very well and VERY cheaply in Hospitals (in quite a few countries as well) Best tip I was ever given was by veteran Dutch Balladeer Klaas Van Graft. He told me when I was about twenty, to always collect stickers for my guitar case wherever I went. His theory was that a case covered with stickers would get you: a ride when hitchiking, a meal, a bed (often with companion) and a conversation when you were lonely. He was right. Nobody thinks you could be dangerous with all those stickers. Rick |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Clinton Hammond Date: 07 Jun 01 - 01:18 PM I was gonna suggest the stickers too Rick... LOL!!!! A lot of good tips can be found in the busking threads around here... when yer skint, and hungry, and just a little bit cold, somehow the music always feels and sounds better... :-) |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Mark Clark Date: 07 Jun 01 - 01:28 PM Kraft Mac & Cheese—two meals for 19¢. Furnished room—$16 a week (transients welcome). For a treat—Greek dinner on S. Halstead. Squid dinner, bouzouki band, belly dancer... $1.85. Of course that was some time back. - Mark |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: wysiwyg Date: 07 Jun 01 - 01:45 PM Spaghetti suppers and other church meals-- show up when the parking lot is almost empty and ask for the leftovers to take to "feed the hungry." Always WAY too much food left over and people too tired to deal with it. Mock up a business card to show if you feel like you won't be believed. I have taken many a carload to a shelter myself, after Red Cross banquets, etc., and would have fed folkies instead of I could. So watch all non-profit events. I'm serious. It gets thrown out. Or come crash with us for a month while you work the phones to get bookings. Make a demo tape on our PortaStudio. Have some laffs, eat good, help with Sat. night service if you like. PM me if you want. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Don Firth Date: 07 Jun 01 - 01:48 PM Several years ago, Time Magazine had an interesting article about street musicians. One of the musicians the article talked about was, I thought, particularly interesting. It may work only in New York, but you may find some ingenious way to modify it for your own use. Bill (let's call him) comes home from an afternoon of having lunch at a posh restaurant and visiting with friends. He parks his Porsche in the parking garage of his condominium and takes the elevator upstairs to his apartment to change to his work clothes. He hangs his Italian silk suit in the closet and kicks off his Gucci loafers, then dresses in beat-up jeans, a sweatshirt with holes in the elbows, and a pair of scruffy sneakers with one of his toes partially visible. He picks up his violin case and takes the subway to Broadway. He goes to a theater where a hit musical has just opened and a crowd has gathered, waiting to get in. He opens his violin case, leaves the case open beside him, and puts a sign in it saying "Please help me with my tuition at Julliard." He tunes his violin and begins playing tunes from the show the people are about to see. Coins and bills gather in his violin case. The crowd goes in, he collects the money, cases up the fiddle, and goes for a cup of coffee. Roughly and hour later (varies with the show) he returns, sets up his fiddle case and sign, and plays for the people who have come out during intermission for some fresh air or a smoke. More coins and bills. Quite a few more. He goes and has a beer, returns, and does it again for the people coming out of the theater at the end of the show. If the show is really good, many, many coins and bills rain into his fiddle case. After the crowd disperses, he packs up and goes on his way. Interviewer asks, "Bill, how much money do you make in an evening?" "I average about $200 a night. Sometimes as much as $300." "That much!?? How soon will you graduate from Julliard?" "Yeah, that much!" Big grin. "Actually, I graduated nine years ago." "Well, you are obviously a very talented musician. Why don't you try for a concert career?" "I know my abilities and my limitations. I'm good, but I'm not really that good." "Well, how about playing in a symphony orchestra?" "That would be steady work, but as long as they keep cranking out musicals, I have steady work now. And, believe me, I am making more money playing a two or three times a week in front of a theater than I could ever make playing in an orchestra. I practice and learn new tunes, but I don't have to go to rehearsals. My time is my own. Life is good!" I dunno, but maybe there's something in there that you might be able to use. Anyway, I think it's a noble ambition. Good luck! Don Firth
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Clinton Hammond Date: 07 Jun 01 - 01:48 PM LOL!! another stray, taken in by Mudcat... :-) |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: MMario Date: 07 Jun 01 - 01:55 PM sound like the 60 minutes special they did a few years back on panhandlers - who would finish their day, head for a four star hotel, check in, have a gourmet meal and a good nights sleep. at least two of the panhandlers claim they AVERAGE 3-5 hundred a day. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: hesperis Date: 07 Jun 01 - 01:57 PM Get help. Especially if you are a member of a Church, sometimes they will at least give you grocery money. It doesn't cover rent, but it helps! Maybe you can do a gig for them in exchange? Mooch. Call any friends, and invite yourself over to cook them dinner - the price? You get dinner too. Depending on the friend, this can be a one-time thing, or once a week. It works very well if you have any friends who are too busy with their job to cook, but sick of takeout and cans... and if you are a good cook. Nothing wrong with mooching if they get something in exchange, like a good dinner, conversation, maybe some music afterwards... It only works for short periods though, or they get sick of it. Just make sure to pay them back if at all possible when you are back to normal earning capability. (Unfortunately, I never really had normal earning capability, and many people got sick of me... but at least I'm still around, and getting stronger every day now.) Food banks can sometimes help, too. At least they can free up the money that would be spent on food to go to other purposes, like rent, or promotion to get gigs. Good luck! |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: GUEST,Pete Peterson Date: 07 Jun 01 - 02:35 PM Enjoying these stories-- I may have some first hand experience in another couple years. . . 31 years after graduate school and I'm out of work for the first time ever-- trying to mkae up my mind whether I am retired or between jobs or a full time musician. (shudder) I don't think people encouraging Justa Picker have read his post too carefully-- he ends "and then things got better". Since in another thread he talks about his collection of old Martins, I conclude that things got better, indeed! I sincerely hope I won't need some of the advice given here, but thanks in advance. . . |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Justa Picker Date: 07 Jun 01 - 03:30 PM You are correct Pete. That story of my "survival technique" was 27 years ago when I was just starting out, and had only been on my own (as in leaving home) for about 6 months. Eventually I connected up with the right bands, and worked steadily. To get the seed money to leave home in the first place (because my parents were horrified that I was "going to be a full time musician", I had to sell the only asset I had at the time which was a 1946 Herringbone D-28, formerly owned by Ian Tyson (and also owned at some other point by our illustrious Rick Fielding as I found out later.) Things improved, and for the past several years I've been fortunate in feeding my terminal G.A.S. with some fine old Martins. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: GUEST,djh Date: 07 Jun 01 - 04:15 PM MAC AND CHEESE |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: wysiwyg Date: 07 Jun 01 - 04:40 PM Pete, I been praying for ya about that, the making up the mind thing. And you know your room is always ready here, so I won't repeat the invite to come for a retreat. But... which if those three do you WANT it to be? Do THAT one. It will be the right one. I swar. ~S~
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Don Firth Date: 07 Jun 01 - 05:37 PM Son: "I'm going to be a musician when I grow up." Father: "Son, you can't have it both ways." You have to grow old, because that's just the nature of things. But nobody said you have to grow up. Go for it! Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Mooh Date: 07 Jun 01 - 08:54 PM For part of a winter, while working at a place which had a heated garage and showers, I volunteered for straight evening shifts so I could work while it was cold and dark, and sleep in my car in the garage overnight when it was coldest. The cafeteria provided dirt cheap lunches, and I always begged for free unsold food at the end of the day. Generally I had to sneak in and out so that the bosses didn't find out. I had too much debt, a psycho girlfriend I was trying to avoid (long story), and was embarassed about my predicament. A sister loaned me more money than I deserved, and took me out for dinner alot. I eventually moved into a college nursing residence (yeah, there are stories to tell) and a series of cheap apartments before a good woman settled me down. Wisely, I married her when I got the chance. I've often wondered if my back problems weren't started then, with a gear shifter stuck in my back. Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: English Jon Date: 08 Jun 01 - 03:17 AM Practice in public and play everywhere. Remove copper coinage from instrument case. Filter out notes/pound coins etc as they come in, in case someone nicks the kitty. Give up food. It's probably bad for you anyway. EJ |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: InOBU Date: 08 Jun 01 - 07:44 AM A update, many NY theaters now call the cops on buskers, who, VERY red faced ask one to move. It is true, we used to do great seldom less than 100 bucks a night. Great comradery, I used to play the pipes in front of the theater Da was playing at, used to get 10 bucks a night from Brian Kieth, a real gentleman. Then, I think it was Dancing at Lunasa opened, or the Irish play right after it, and there I was doing great with an appreciative audience, and the effin theater manager called the cops. I hope he finds him self on what passes for welfare today and soon. Good luck to my sister and brothers of the street, Das baxtalay Gypsuria! Larry |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Bat Goddess Date: 08 Jun 01 - 07:54 AM Store brand mac & cheese is still around 5 pckages for a buck -- 2 meals from each package. I had a friend years ago who had a pair of "goin' to mother's jeans" -- a rather disreputable pair she'd wear to her mother's house. Mom would invariably give her some cash to buy some decent clothes. Bat Goddess (whose mom lives too far away for that scam, but who has bailed her out more times than she can count -- thanks, Mom!!!) |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Mojo Morris Date: 08 Jun 01 - 08:41 AM They say that a musican without a girlfriend/boyfriend is called homeless. There was a place in Memphis Town called "The Shanti Inn." It was ran by the late great "Big Sam" whose heart was twice the size of his wallet. But if you played at his bar, you would at least get a plate of ribs, and a pitcher of cheep beer. My fondest memories are from that time in my life. But the worst thing I'd ever done to get food money, (that I'd tell you anyway) was to go to someone that really believed in my music, and ask them how much I could get for my guitar, as I was broke and hungry. They would break an arm going for their money, just for the chance to save a artist. God bless them. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Midchuck Date: 08 Jun 01 - 08:43 AM Brings to mind being a ski bum for one winter in the early '60s. I did janitor and scullery maid work at a lodge for a place to sleep (with a small fridge and a little roaster oven thingy, a ski pass, and $20/week, which had to pay for my food, drink, and gas. It was great. The staples of my diet were frozen Swanson meat pies (6/$1.00) and Kruger beer (88c/six-pack). The bar up the road would give me free drinks for playing guitar and singing dirty songs, and if a listener wanted to buy me a drink, the bartender would put his money under the bar and give it to me later. I had an old VW bug (Everyone my age had an old VW bug then, except the poor fools who wanted to be sports, and had old MGs or Triumphs and bummed rides from the rest of us most of the time, while they were waiting for parts.) and would - probably quite illegally - pick lodge guests up at the bus station in the city and run them up the mountain for $3 a head (gas was then a quarter a gallon, or so). The only problems were: 1) that it was a singularly bad snow year, and this was before snowmaking, so it got pretty drunk out; and 2) I was in love (still am, come to think of it) so I turned away an abundance of opportunities that I would have begged for a couple of years earlier. The fun part was a few years after law school, when my old employer came to me for legal services and I got to charge him a multiple of my former weekly pay, per hour. And I was still the cheapest lawyer he could find! Peter. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Peg Date: 08 Jun 01 - 09:29 AM wel,l I was never a starving musician but have been a starving student and starving writer... If you live in a college town or place with lots of artists, get hold of the local arts calendar and watch for art exhibit openings! Usually there is a reception with free food and often wine or beer. Show up in paint-splattered jeans and everyone will think you are an artist, too. Be sure to look at the art like you are interested in it, but if it is crowded, shamelessly elbow your way to the wine and cheese; everyone knows half the people are there for the food. Peg who, because she is soon moving into an apartment twice as expensive as her old one, will more than likely be putting many of these tips to use...
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: JedMarum Date: 08 Jun 01 - 09:39 AM How do you konw if a starving musican's been in your house? ... he's still there! |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Mooh Date: 08 Jun 01 - 09:43 AM Generally if there's food where you play it's a good idea to get a meal with your fee. Food, when served to loads of people costs the employer little and keeps you from dining out. Often the wait staff at an establishment will be more sympathetic than the boss, so treat 'em nice, they might be your best ally. Same goes for an overnight bed. If you promise to be a low impact guest, you might get a free bed. One time I fell asleep in my car in front of a police station and when they came to move me on I told them I was afraid I'd fall asleep at the wheel and thought the cop shop would be the safest place to park. They agreed. One of my first busking attempts was at Union Station in Toronto. I made my train fare to wherever I was going, and some girl came and shared a sandwich with me. Will play for food, if that's what I need the most. Of course, there was a time when families would hire musicians to live with them for a time, to teach their kids music and help with the chores in exchange for room and board and perhaps a small per diem. Survival before comfort. Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: JedMarum Date: 08 Jun 01 - 09:45 AM Actually, this thread is very timely for me. I find myself in absolute dire strights, at the moment. Music work's been great, lots of work, and it's been good - lots of musical progress; very satisfying - but I'm facing serious financial woes. I have options, I don't like any of 'em. F*ck it, though. Life's too short - been looking at temp jobs, you know; loading trucks or typing and receptionist duties, stage hand - anything I can work a day and not interfere with music and travel sched. We'll see. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: English Jon Date: 08 Jun 01 - 10:06 AM give music lessons. you can charge quite a lot for that. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Rick Fielding Date: 08 Jun 01 - 07:17 PM Amen to that English Jon. No jokes this time. Bar owners may not be willing to pay someone with huge experience and skills, but folks wanting to learn music will...ESPECIALLY from someone who knows what performing and communicating music is all about. It ain't in books, it's in the hands and heart. Oh, just on a practical level, if you need some cash quickly, make up about 10 simple posters, put 'em up near some schools, and you'll have students by next week. I guarantee it. Rick |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Spud Murphy Date: 08 Jun 01 - 08:22 PM Can't believe that nobody mentioned the Salvation Army. They've even got a organized band and established venues. Never tried their services out of musical necessity, but they sure came through during the year or so after the war that I spent as a professional hitchhiker. Life was never better. But then, those were 'kinder and gentler' times. Spud |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Deckman Date: 09 Jun 01 - 06:06 AM Yes, hospitals usually have great cheap food. And, if you do it well, you can usually get double helpings and other bonuses. I REALLY scored in Honolulu some time back ... food I mean. Wait a minute, there was this ... oh well, that's another story for another thread. Bad Joke, "what do you call a musician that's lost his girlfriend? Homeless. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: gnu Date: 09 Jun 01 - 08:07 AM University residences (dorms ?) and Frat houses. Just be honest and straight out ask if you can sleep on the floor before moving on tomorrow. Oft times you will be offered a bed and grub. Travelwise, checking out the bulletin board at the Students' Union Building or the campus bar will offer info about how to get on the bus to go to a rally or protest - just be honest and don't try to fake being a student. I used to take my BADLY beat up Bug about halfway to where I wanted to go, raise the engine hood and hitch-hike. I would explain to the Samaritan that I had to get to my buddy's place in Xtown because my buddy was a mechanic. If the Sam was going there, it was never any problem. Free ride to my destination and free ride back to my bug. Gas for the trip at half price. Wouldn't try it these twenty-five years later, though. Might cost an arm and a Bug. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Benjamin Date: 09 Jun 01 - 04:28 PM Susan, does that offer extend to me as well? Don't be surprised to see at your door for a good month or two then. At my age, there's still some hope finding a young rich girl at school who has a future. Hasn't happened yet though. Keep your fingers crossed! |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Robin2 Date: 09 Jun 01 - 09:42 PM My son just graduated from a music college. The wonderful wise man giving the commencement speech said wisely: "There are two measures of a man's financial success; how much he has, or, how little he needs. As all of you (the graduates) wish to be musicians, I suggest the latter." As a full time folk musician, I couldn't agree more. You can make it if your needs are small. Robin
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Rick Fielding Date: 09 Jun 01 - 09:55 PM How true Robin. Do ya know those games we play about "What would you do if you won a million bucks"? I think I'm one of the few people really stuck for an answer. Got a roof, a great partner, bunch of instruments, a Ford, and a security guard's income. Can't think of a damn thing I really want (except a new pair of cowboy boots). My folks (if they were alive) would be horrified! (but secretly verrrry relieved) Rick |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Robin2 Date: 09 Jun 01 - 10:16 PM Rick,
Sounds like you have an abundance of wealth *smile* Robin |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: GUEST,johnmfrom ull Date: 13 Mar 02 - 11:58 PM Growe your hair long and grow a big beard, you will save loads og mony because barbers are espensive and you will save razor blades and shaving foam wich is expemsive. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: 53 Date: 14 Mar 02 - 11:07 PM Play anywhere and everywhere. Keep your chin up and work hard, and eventually it might come to you that is, if you don't die first. You gotta love your music and have a drive to boot. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Mooh Date: 15 Mar 02 - 09:05 AM I was raised in Anglican church rectories, some of which were on regular transient routes. Especially in summer there would be regular visits from travellers looking for a sandwich or a couple of dollars. One did invite himself in for a snooze when no one was home, but none ever caused any trouble and some had amazing tales to tell. If one knocks on the door of a rectory, manse, or other church house, I would hope one receives good treatment, even if it's just good advice. As Spud said, start with the Salvation Army. "Starving musicians" can find alot of connections through church networks. I'm not starving, one look would tell you that, but I've put up musicians several times because they exercised their influence over my good will. I hope they would do the same for me. Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Kim C Date: 15 Mar 02 - 10:20 AM (How did I miss this thread the first time around?!!?!) A lot of folks have suggested the good 'ol mac & cheese, but don't count on that unless you want to gain weight! Refined processed foods are cheap and they taste good but they are oh so bad for you! If you have a Crock Pot - dried beans are WAY cheap, last a long time, and are good for you. Throw in a packet of Lipton onion soup mix (also cheap) and you've got a healthy nutritious meal. Make a bunch and freeze it. I find myself always having plenty to eat - it's string money I have trouble with......
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Art Thieme Date: 15 Mar 02 - 10:38 AM There are so many tales that come back to me on discovering this thread. Many singers used these experiences to write their songs. Bill Staines, for one. So many of his songs are about being "on the road" Check out "Missouri Road Song" one of my favorites for long haul gig drives. I usually stuck to the traditional songs etc. But when I needed good songs about being on the road, all I had to do was take one of Bill's best ones and adopt it. Even adapt it. I've got to get Carol to a doctor but I'll be back to expound at length. Art Thieme |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: InOBU Date: 16 Mar 02 - 09:45 AM As you know, all we anglo Irish are related - one way or another, who else would marry us... so in the spirit of my tribe'sman Johnathan Swift... let me make a modest proposal... eat your bandmates... . It teaches the value of commitment and responcibility in the band. Start with those who tell you, they believe in what the band is about, but are really involved just to learn Irish tunes - and wont commit other than one gig to the next. Recipies apprecaited. Larry |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Amos Date: 16 Mar 02 - 09:54 AM There's a recipe involving pepper and shallots in the MC Tavern at Sea thread, Larry, handed down from the mate of the Nancy brig. Just watch your back if you're preparing it. LOL! A |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: InOBU Date: 16 Mar 02 - 03:13 PM I will look into it, however, if one cooks a bodhran player, lots of others will watch your back for you! Cheers Larry |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: gnu Date: 16 Mar 02 - 03:18 PM AHEM !! You mightn't get that ten bucks Larry... I charge for each Hran joke and you just spent half of what I owes ya. *BG* |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: InOBU Date: 16 Mar 02 - 07:28 PM Funny, I charge $22.50 for the reciept of said jokes... Larry |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: Art Thieme Date: 16 Mar 02 - 09:25 PM There was a different ethic "then", wasn't there? For many in the folk revival of the 50s--60s--70s--80s a few could command big bucks but so many others did the music anyhow, no matter what it took. (As Buddy Mondlock said in his song "No Choice", we really didn't have a choice. The music was all there was for us. And there were many-a-month with more open squares on the calendar than gig-filled ones. It meant sleeping on floors or couches like Harvey's in Springfield, Illinois where the barnyard and H.'s livingroom were one entity. Summers the door never closed. Chickens came and went and often sat on your bod and head while you slept (or tried to). Then in New York being guided to Manhattan by your blind passenger who swore he knew the way to his parents house on Broadway up around 125th St. I swear we took Broadway all the way from Hartford, CT to Manhattan. On arriving "home", went in to greet your digs for the night but coming out the junkies were sitting all over the car and you couldn't dare to open the trunk to get the instruments out for fear of showin' 'em what all was in there. Your host had no idea, him being blind, that the hallways were covered with garbage. But maybe he did know. My nostrils provided enough proof for me. THEN Kansas trying to get to Winfield. A maniac driver on the interstate (35?) coming at me going the wrong way in the southbound lanes, tore past me, made a U turn, caught up to me and started rear-ending my old Buick until I hit the water-filled median strip and tore up about 200 feet of muddy muck. (The guy, a total stranger, disappeared in the distance. After being towed out, I went to Eldorado and found me a wash-your-car place-----one with high-powered hand-held water wands to extricate half the mud in all the Flint Hills from hanging down under my undercarriage. When I pulled away, there was a earth mound behind me that rivalled the Pawnee Rock outcrop on the Santa Fe Trail further west near Larned, Kansas for height. Got to the Winfield Festival not much worse for wear. Just another day on the road. And I'd do it all over again. These and other "great" times were truly "the best of times". The music made it all wonderful. The comaraderie cemented it all. And best of all, Carol went along with me for 35 years (so far) even though there wasn't all that much cash in it. We were our own boss ---and that made all the difference. ADVICE----Like the beatniks, develop spartan tastes. Be satisfied with the cheap seats at the concerts. Like the folks in the first 3 rows, you'll hear all the music. If you're lucky, they'll give YOU money to make the msic for THEM. It really is like alchemy: You sing your songs into the wind----and, miraculously, it turns into the rent. As Buck White told me once when I opened for him and his daughters at Charlotte's Web in Rockford, IL-----"I ain't never had less, or enjoyed it more !" And that reminds me of another road story... Art Thieme
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: 53 Date: 16 Mar 02 - 11:27 PM The road puts hair on you chest. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: hesperis Date: 17 Mar 02 - 12:21 AM I hope not. I don't exactly want hair on my chest, thanks anyway. |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: InOBU Date: 17 Mar 02 - 04:05 PM The road puts hair on your chest while it takes it off your head, thickens the skin on your finger tips while skinning your butt, ... got anymore? Cheers Larry |
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Subject: RE: Tips on Surviving As A Starving Musician From: katlaughing Date: 23 Mar 02 - 01:05 PM HeyaArt, Let's hear the "another road story?" Thanks! luvyakat |
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