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Post by suzanneflower on Mar 23, 2011 7:28:39 GMT -8
Read an ad from a band on Craigslist saying that the band members all had 'real jobs' and only gigged occasionally. Why do people think that being a professional/working musician is not a real job???  |
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Post by jlev on Mar 23, 2011 9:27:45 GMT -8
I think that most don't have the skills, inclination, or the guts to do what someone like you does.
Conversely, people say to me "I wish I could do what you do, work full time at music." I say, "careful what you wish for, this life is not for everyone. Follow me for a week and then tell me if you still want my job. Oh yeah, can I borrow $5 for gas?"
One time my step son said "well what you do is technically not "work" because you love it." So I said, "well I spend most of my time every week on it, give it great effort and they pay me, so I guess maybe it is work. There is no rule that says you have to hate your job"
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Post by suzanneflower on Mar 23, 2011 10:00:52 GMT -8
I think that most don't have the skills, inclination, or the guts to do what someone like you does. Conversely, people say to me "I wish I could do what you do, work full time at music." I say, "careful what you wish for, this life is not for everyone. Follow me for a week and then tell me if you still want my job. Oh yeah, can I borrow $5 for gas?" "Inclination" euphemism for 'insanity' perhaps??? Does take boldness no doubt! Many people seem to think you just show up somewhere and 'do it' and that is all there is to it! Lol on the $5 comment! Doing my taxes right now  Beats the heck out of like income earning jobs to be sure! |
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Post by mothermayhemband on Mar 23, 2011 13:55:29 GMT -8
I think that part of the “Real Job” mentality is based more on societal norms then any real fact that being a musician is any more or less a “real job” then say an accountant or grocery checker. You don’t hear a lot of parents telling Little Johnny to “grow up, drop out of school, go on the road and make your life as a rock star” :-)
I’ve caught myself at gigs using the “Real Job” moniker for myself when asked….. I’ve come to realize that it destroys the mystique of being a musician that people hold in their minds. For then general masses being a musician is what they see on MTV (when they played videos) or VH1 Behind The Music stories. They don’t see the hours before and after each gig setting up/ breaking down, the rehearsal time, the footwork getting gigs and everything else that goes along. To them, being a musician is just showing up to the party and throwing down some cool tunes and having a good time....
I work during the week to feed, cloth and house my family and pad my pension and 401K. I play music to feed and warm my soul. both are deserving of my full attention and both are real jobs IMHO
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Post by jlev on Mar 24, 2011 9:32:08 GMT -8
From our friend guitarist Michael Gregory:
A lady called the musician's union to ask about the cost of a five piece band, plus singer, for a wedding. The rep says, "About $2,000". She exclaims, "WHAT? FOR MUSIC?" ... The rep responds, "Ma'am, I'll tell you what. Call the plumbers' union and ask for six plumbers to work from 6-12 o'clock on a Saturday night. I'll charge you half of whatever they quote." She called back and said, "I get your point."
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Beats the heck out of like income earning jobs to be sure!