Reality Check

[micguy]

I know a few guys that make their living as musicians. All of them are in multiple bands/paying situations. One guy plays keys and bass - he told me once that he had 62 W2's the previous year - 62 different people/bands/organizations had hired him in one year. Flexibility and networking (hustling gigs) are very helpful if you want to make any kind of income. You also have to take some low paying gigs to keep a network of folks active to where you have access to higher paying ones. People get hired because they're good enough, and they're easy to deal with.

I play for free at churches. I don't have to hustle or network as much, but I still get "hired" because I'm good enough, and I'm easy to work with - that's not all that different. In paying situations, the definition of "good enough" may be a bit higher, but then again, it might not be - it all depends.

Good luck!

 

[DD Gunz]

There is some very good realistic advice here. I happen to be in a band where I am not the band leader and I still do ok for a part time gig. If this was my sole source of income and my only job, I would be playing in multiple projects and multiple venues to increase my income.

Also, our band has a gimmick. We do not compete on level playing ground with all of the other bar bands. We offer an image, theatrics, and comedy which makes us stand out in my area. Our band is more of a product and uses music as a source to promote it. There are thousands of bands out there playing the same songs. We offer an alternative and crowd engagement and participation which contributes to us being called back.

 

[JimmyM]

There is some very good realistic advice here. I happen to be in a band where I am not the band leader and I still do ok for a part time gig. If this was my sole source of income and my only job, I would be playing in multiple projects and multiple venues to increase my income.

Also, our band has a gimmick. We do not compete on level playing ground with all of the other bar bands. We offer an image, theatrics, and comedy which makes us stand out in my area. Our band is more of a product and uses music as a source to promote it. There are thousands of bands out there playing the same songs. We offer an alternative and crowd engagement and participation which contributes to us being called back.

Excellent point! My main band does similar, and it's greatly helped us. Gotta have a gimmick!

 

[SmokinJoe992]

I greatly appreciate all the responses. You have all provided a lot of food for thought and given me a ton of insight and perspective. Just to clarify I think I should have used the term "supplemental income" instead of "significant income". My plan would involve having a retirement income that I can live on and very few outstanding debts. I am mainly concerned with being able to make enough money to justify pursuing this as more than just a fun hobby, and more like a second career.
The consensus seems to be that this would require being in multiple bands covering multiple types of music, and/or breaking into the corporate/wedding scene. I feel like I am in a good location near Chattanooga, TN which seems to have its own growing music scene and is within 2 hours of Nashville, Atlanta, Knoxville, and Huntsville. Some of you may have some better insight on this.
I understand the versatility thing also. I currently do backing vocals in my current band and even sing lead on a couple of songs. Playing and singing is tricky, but it seems to get easier the more I work on it. I also intend to start working on keys at some point. I have also made it a point to learn and play country songs even though I am primarily a fan of Alternative Rock, Classic Rock and Blues/R&B. I will probably try to learn some jazz as I progress.
I also have already seen evidence that dependability and reliability mean as much as playing ability. I am pretty sure that is the main reason I am in my current band. They seem to have had a lot of issues with other bass players (no equipment, no transportation, drama, always late etc.)
The other important thing I have taken from this is how important marketing and networking are to getting work. This is something I will definitely take more seriously moving forward.
Thanks again for all the responses and keep the good insight and tips coming.

 

[DD Gunz]

Excellent point! My main band does similar, and it's greatly helped us. Gotta have a gimmick!

I agree, and if we didn't we wouldn't be getting paid near as much or get as many calls as we do. We currently have two residencies and they are a direct result of the gimmick with the music coming in second. It's tough out there these days.

You need to do what you can to be marketable and entertaining. A DJ can spin music all night, get people on the dance floor, and he doesn't have to split his earnings with anyone. As a band, you need to offer consumable entertainment value as a group or you will compete for playing Monday Bingo night at the local dive bar. My humble opinion of course.

 

[Sparkl]

I think this is true of most creative/arts jobs. Almost every novelist I know (myself included) either teaches, edits, does technical/grant writing, journalism, PR, works the "retreat" circuit or something else (for ten years floating around the background of all the Law & Order shows was my "day job").

But having another outlet/income stream also has the hidden benefit of taking the pressure off "getting X amount of gigs" and that allows your creativity to thrive.

Exactly. This is why I find working in a music shop for example a pretty stress relief type of job. To each his own though. I have a bachelor degree in jazz and modern music but I don't mind to do jobs like this, anything to steam out the stress more. Man, depending on gigging income purely is a hell of a job. If you don't mind organising your life every day around this and constantly calculating the income and expenses (because you will do this A LOT in this business) to cover the taxes and all that, than it is doable. But I tell you guys, it is really nice to give yourself a little bit of time to rest your mind. Otherwise you burn out pretty quick.

 

[DirtDog]

I know several groups of older guys who are doing quite well on the retirement home circuit around here - no kidding - it's a growth market when you think about it!

100s of gigs a year - day/early evening type things, you can work every day and take weekends off if you want to. But think small combo (with or without drums); quick and easy setups in small space. I'd think a singer/guitarist + bassist/singer on stools with a Bose PA could do quite well playing standard cover tunes from the 50's on up (country? early rock? some jazz/easy listening stuff?). I'm going to take a stab at this and say $500+ a week per guy is not unrealistic in this scenario if you're working most days and can book yourselves two gigs a day in come cases. With a pension, that's a liveable income.

So, to get yourself there, keep playing with others, practicing/taking lessons and learning tunes that would fit whatever scenario you see yourself in. Hook up with the right kinds of players that fit the market you're going for and think about who's going to be the gig getter. One guy in particular I know (retired cop, BTW) has a booking agent that does a lot of that for him. Think about taking vocal lessons if you're not much of a singer. Focus on harmony/backup.

 

[SmokinJoe992]

I know several groups of older guys who are doing quite well on the retirement home circuit around here - no kidding - it's a growth market when you think about it!

100s of gigs a year - day/early evening type things, you can work every day and take weekends off if you want to. But think small combo (with or without drums); quick and easy setups in small space. I'd think a singer/guitarist + bassist/singer on stools with a Bose PA could do quite well playing standard cover tunes from the 50's on up (country? early rock? some jazz/easy listening stuff?). I'm going to take a stab at this and say $500+ a week per guy is not unrealistic in this scenario if you're working most days and can book yourselves two gigs a day in come cases. With a pension, that's a liveable income.

So, to get yourself there, keep playing with others, practicing/taking lessons and learning tunes that would fit whatever scenario you see yourself in. Hook up with the right kinds of players that fit the market you're going for and think about who's going to be the gig getter. One guy in particular I know (retired cop, BTW) has a booking agent that does a lot of that for him. Think about taking vocal lessons if you're not much of a singer. Focus on harmony/backup.

This is exactly what I am talking about. Thank you.

 

[DirtDog]

This is exactly what I am talking about. Thank you.

And the beauty is that you don't need to be a virtuoso or a pretty boy to satisfy the old ladies - and they are mostly old ladies!