This really chaps my Ass.

[tug]

i live to play music but the one thing i find to be a problem is gas money, its not just venues that want to screw you!
i would be happy to play for free if i didnt have to pay for fuel,strings,tubes etc.etc,etc.
a couple yrs ago i was playing for a band where the song writer thought all the money should go back to the band. he wanted to re press a cd that i wasnt even on . some song writers are so caught up in their own world that they think that the musicians in the band should be financing the promotion of that songwriter. when i suggested that each musician get at least 10% of the gross, which left 40% for the band fund he thought i was being greedy and negative.
so i'll ask you guys, is 10% too much to ask for?
the band im in now is not as stingy. we split the gross evenly and kick in what we can for promo, merchandising and the like.

[jlev]

I hear you Tug. Singer/songwriters trend to think that everyone should think their music is as important as they do. They want you to buy into their vision and work as hard on it as they do. But what happens when you part ways? The sideman walks away with nothing but a T shirt or two and couple of Cds.

A smart artist values the contributions of good sidemen. If you want my loyalty, first be really good, keep me working and treat me right.

10% doesn't sound like enough unless we are talking big bucks. Some of the people I have worked for have paid me more than they pay themselves and that is the best kind of respect.

[tug]

yea, and im not saying all songwriters are that way of course,
and as far as 10%? i guess thats where we come down to "what chaps my ass". im not lookin' to get rich so much as wanting to be able to support my main addiction. music

[jlev]

Definitely not all. The two songwriters I currently work with Jahari Sai and Wingnut Adams both treat me well, make me feel valued, which only inspires me to work harder for them.

I read a quote from the great jazz bass player Ron Carter this morning: "My intent is to be the kind of sideman who the band leader feels is essential to the band"

These days I am a bit more careful to whom I give that kind of dedication.

[tug]

amen

[kennans]

Be ever vigilant, my friend.

[jtm]

Hello, is anybody in there, I have not been to this site in at least three months. I saw a posting today that used my handle(jtm) I just want everyone to know that I do not use profanity or any other type of pejorative, nor do I know wormdrive 66. I applaud the Bord and it's members. I think that for the most part the players are good people. I would like to find out how that posting ended up on the website. Once again I have the highest regard for the players that I do know and to those I do not know, I hope we will meet and play music together. Life is too short to waste on butt biters. Play on. Being bitter only makes you old.

[wormdrive66]

Jul 27, 2010 13:05:22 GMT -8 jtm said:

Hello, is anybody in there, I have not been to this site in at least three months. I saw a posting today that used my handle(jtm) I just want everyone to know that I do not use profanity or any other type of pejorative, nor do I know wormdrive 66. I applaud the Bord and it's members. I think that for the most part the players are good people. I would like to find out how that posting ended up on the website. Once again I have the highest regard for the players that I do know and to those I do not know, I hope we will meet and play music together. Life is too short to waste on butt biters. Play on. Being bitter only makes you old.

Why bring me into this?

Did I miss something?