BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: MMario
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 09:01 PM

I sing for the love of singing - but will gladly take any cash that comes my way.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: DancingMom
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 08:35 PM

Once upon a time I planned to do it for money... life didn't turn out that way. When I came back to singing it was for the love and pleasure of it. I wouldn't even want to think about life without music, except to express gratitude for its existence.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: hesperis
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 07:51 PM

"Anything worth doing is worth doing for money."

That's one of the few Ferengei Rules of Acquisition that I agree with.

But I really don't agree with the whole money system. Of course, right now, there isn't anything better than the system we're using...

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: Sarah2
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 07:27 PM

Mostly for the love of song, the music. If I wanted to make money at it around here, I'd have to start singing "Stand By Your Man" and others "dainsible" songs.

When we do get paid, I turn over my share to the local Celtic Festival group -- so they can get other musicians to come to Amarillo! It's ever so much more fun, knowing I can play and sing whatever strikes my fancy, instead of worrying about whether or not the two-steppers are happy.

But I'll tell the truth: I'd rather trade songs around a campfire than Perform, any day. Even those magic nights when everyone is with us -- nah, I'd still rather be on the other side of the microphone, singing along and letting someone else think of what song to do next, what witticisms and general philosophy to share while re-tuning. I guess I do it 'cause we're the only Irish/Scottish/general folk music show in town.

Sarah

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 07:16 PM

Our two piece band does it for the hell....and have been for near 30 years now. Our 7 piece accapella band couldn't do it for money...no folk club pays enough and we only work FC's...our ceilidh band does it for money..only money and no other reason..and it pays....

Horses for courses....Like Rick I prefer the two piece doing it for the hell....

Spot.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 07:14 PM

For money. I am often offered money to STOP singing.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: ddw
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 07:11 PM

Money? Some people do it for money? Damn! Learn something new every day.

david

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: Bill D
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 07:06 PM

any time money is involved, there are expectations and what is done is affected.

'Some' can truly enjoy what they do even IF they are being paid, but make no mistake, if they are trying to supplement their income, they worry about what to play when and won't always play what they'd rather. The more famous you get, the more you get requests and are expected to play your 'hits' at every concert...or feel the need to salt your performance with stuff from your latest CD....

After I heard Brian Bowers about 3 times, I could almost do his routine for him and predict his playlist...and there are others who I KNOW have hundreds of songs, but who do the same songs year after year.....

Still, we gotta pay 'em or we wont GET to hear 'em much...so...*shrug*

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: The Shambles
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 06:49 PM

It is a pretty big question and one I have given a lot of thought to. I have recently had a paticipatory musical event, that was staged for pleasure, made illegal.

This is because it is generally accepted that all music takes place as paid performance.

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: Allan C.
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 06:41 PM

Either will do nicely, thank you. *G*

Seriously, on the few occasions upon which I have been (under)paid, it was kinda nice to walk away with a spendable token of appreciation. But I have enjoyed the free appearances just as much.

Long ago I had my car fixed at a small, independent shop. When the owner handed me the bill, I was astounded at the low price. I was so shocked, in fact, that I actually told him that it hardly seemed as though he was charging enough.

"I ain't out to make no killin'" he answered.

This guy really enjoyed what he did for a living and only wanted to make enough to cover expenses and pay himself a relatively modest salary.

If I thought I could make a dollar or two while fly-fishing, well, I'd think it was really cool! I would feel that way about any hobby. So I guess what it comes down to is that music IS a hobby for me. If I were really expecting to rely upon it for income, then I would feel quite differently, I am sure. But even so, I still wouldn't be "out to make no killin'"

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: nutty
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 06:35 PM

Lucy .... my friends and I always did it for pleasure ( sing that is )until people started offering us money

This has both advantages and disadvantages

The advantages are that we now get paid for going to festivals that in the past we paid to go to but also knowing that other people get so much enjoyment from what we do is a reward in itself

The main disadvantage has been that we now have to take a more professional approach to performance ..... the voices have to last over the weekend so boozy late - night sings have been curtailed ..... words have to be learnt properly ( no hamming it up in front of the mics ) ... we are now aware that people are paying to hear us - so we need to give value for money

But ultimately we still do it for love

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: campfire
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 06:32 PM

I've never been paid to perform. I've paid to play at a few open mikes.

Usually I sing at campfires (hence the nickname), usually with my father and some friends, and whoever shows up. I used to sing in church.

I'm also not (IMO) "good" enough to consider playing a paying gig, but I sing/play purely because I want to.

campfire

Subject: RE: BS: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 06:31 PM

Used to do it for love.

Then did it for love and money

next came money ('cause I couldn't do anything else)

Then I met Mudcatter Sandy Paton

Since then I'm back to doing it for love....and a little money.

Love beats money any day.

Rick

Subject: Do you do it for pleasure or money?
From: Hawker
Date: 11 Mar 01 - 06:22 PM

In these days when the great God money seems to rear its ugly head in all we endeavour to do I ask the question....Do you play music/sing/perform purely for pleasure or money?
I sing because I love singing, I play because I enjoy playing, occasionally I get paid - but overall, I can honestly say it's definately for love and not money.
I am not criticising those of you who do earn a living at it, (in fact I am probably jealous!) but I cannot imagine life without music
How about you?
Lucy