Michigan musicians are losing the battle for live music engagements. More and more the clubs are buying into the DJ / kar aoke syndrome. Look in any entertainment section in any newspaper and count the number of clubs that used to have "Live" music that now feature DJs and Karaoke. Don't look good does it? But why have these clubs turned on the hard working musician? Click "Read More" below.
MONEY, that's what club owners will tell you up front. But I think there's another reason: back stabbing between bands trying to get these jobs. One band wants $400 a night, [which if you ask me is about 1973 wages] then some less talented or more selfish weekend warriors, [who primarily play for women and beer] will play for $250 a nite or less. Then even bigger sharks appear, the DJ's/Karaoke people will do the job for $150 a nite. That's pretty good pay for one person. What's odd is some of DJ's & Karaoke hosts are getting $400 and $500 a night and sometimes even more!
So, what is the solution? How can Michigan Musicians win back those clubs and get newer clubs to hire us? We used to have a union. I remember it working quite well for a long time. But then some of us said, "Oh Hell, I don't want to pay union dues. I'll just pocket that money every time I work!" Soon, everybody was leaving our union for the extra little money. The union used to help get us wages commensurate with the times we lived in. It used to make sure that clubs hired only union musicians and bands. The club owners weren't dumb, and when we started turning on eachother they took total advantage of the situation and saw an opportunity to save some money and get rid of those union guys who [rightfully] kept raising thier prices.
There are still places where the union protects it's members and keeps the work rolling in. But, that ain't Michigan. Don't get me wrong, I know the times have changed, and it will be very difficult for us to save ourselves, and stay in the entertainment business around here.
The first thing we can do is start keeping our prices in line with eachother. Check with your local union rep. and see what's new with our union! If we stick together, and show eachother a little Love, maybe, just maybe we will pull it out, and "Keep Live Music Alive" here in Michigan!
There is Power in numbers my Brothers!
zen_blues_dog
Editor's Note: For those interested in finding out more about local music unions, here's a list of American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Locals in Michigan.
|