Chance, I don't think bluegrass musicians (the sidemen) ever made a living. I heard Josh Graves say that he couldn't even afford a house until he joined the Earl Scruggs Review. Some of the band leaders made a living but even some well known names had to struggle to survive. They continued in the music mostly because they believed in it. One Blue Grass Boy I know was paid $50 per show, period. Driving the bus and non-musical work at festivals paid nothing but I think planting fields and building fences paid extra. I think his pay was about average for a bluegrass sideman.

I've read that during the time Bill Keith and Del McCoury were Blue Grass Boys (1963-64), they might put the whole band in a station wagon, tie the bass on top, and drive from Nashville to California for a one night stand. People have this idea that bluegrass has dropped in popularity but in fact, it may be more popular right now than it's ever been.

      - Mark