Yes or No? All or Nothing?
I am approached often by musicians, club owners and others about how musicians can make money now that our reality presents some new artistic ownership, and entrepeneur opportunities right along side the anxiety , challenges and headaches that can accompany the responsibilities associated with “accountability”.
It’s tough…we love the idea of artistic control and the apparent freedom that comes with that idea. But all of a sudden, it is seems to be solely our responsibility to get the ball rolling The financing of the products and their promotion is on us as well. It takes time and it takes cash…and most serious musicians have very limited amounts of those things. I’m not talking about those who have “super-star” status or whose “sponsors” kick in to offset certain cost factors. I’m talk about the majority of the rest of us. We’re caught in this dilemma. We have great ideas and many of us have years of musical expertise and experience, some with some commercial successes, but we’re thrown for a loop as our music is at once , more easily accessible to our fans, an yet our places to present ourselves seem to be quite limited.
For example, a nice spot to hear jazz and have some good food…an ambiance that one would think would be fairly easy to find..is not so easy. Club managers and owners apparently struggle with how they want to be identified. Is it a room which focuses on the music and has also good food , service and drinks or is it a restaurant which has some jazz going on as a backdrop to serving good food? Both situations are of course valid.But from the musicians point of view, the latter doesn’t really appeal to our desire to play, and our absolute need to have a platform for our music and our income bearing “products” (CD’s t-shirts, DVDs etc..) in an environment which supports our presentation of the music.
I just played in a room which has been recently reconfigured to focus on the music as the main attraction. It’s a new concept for this place. The new layout is much more music presentation friendly and now management has to come to terms with how to make it work. There’s an understandable fear as they must be dealing with trading one set of difficult expenditures for another . The concept of “profit” probably feels a thousand miles away. A jazz club? Competent staffing for the presentation of music, the restaurant, the bar , etc….yeah, it’s a tall order I guess. Musicians are having to settle for less money than they should be paid in many cases. And yet, we need each other because not every music artist is appropriate for big venues nor has the commercial cache to attract the festival or larger event promoters. In addition, and importantly, musicians need places to “work out”….to present their music…to play and in an environment which supports just that.
I still believe that most audiences find value in witnessing artistry , creativity and beauty. I think they recognize and appreciate it when it occurs no matter the size venue. People will put up with a lot, if their goals are met and they have a chance to hear and see the truth! What’s needed….is COURAGE and a collective of performers and presenters who support each other’s positive efforts and whenever possible , take calculated risks to protect the ideas that brought them to the art of music , the art of food , the art in simple and elegant presentation. Support….This can provide fertile ground for creativity ….even greatness. These are things we must cherish. It’s been said that “where there’s a will , there’s a way”. No one said it would be easy, and there’s no “quick fix”. But when a few committed people take the initiative are willing to try by putting their strengths and resources to work, we know things can happen!!!
I think we must stay committed to the ideas of what we CAN do and learn to not waddle in the muddy waters of what we CAN’T DO. That doesn’t mean there are not setbacks or certain limitations, but the surest ways to fail are to think negatively and to do nothing at all . Guess this can apply to almost everything!!!!
Stay tuned…