General Music Chat

Take the NKF show on the road ?

Well hell yes I would.

I don't fear change in my life anymore. Layoffs, career changes, repossessions, back to college, ETC.
Been there done that survived and prospered with my family.

Strangely enough, I have pondered this question today. In the quiet of my home as I make CD's and do various other tasks.

The only question that lingers in my mind is ... would the boys have strength and faith enough to go with me ??

In my heart I know it would be very hard for some of them.
Others ... would be here helping me pack already.

Until my kids are completely independent, there is no way I would want to go on the road - I'd miss them too much. If I didn't have any ties, then I'd do it for the adventure, that is if I knew it would pay the bills while I was on the road Otherwise, I'd be content (as I am now) with music as hobby - a creative release.

Of coarse, the rewards have to outweigh the risks in a decision like this. Don't get me wrong, I will go on the road, with a contract, (my friends just got back from a two week tour in Japan and did a 3 month road trip here...Im sure they didnt get rich, but they didnt lose their house either.) But grass-roots gigging is different. And there is a limit to the amount of road life that I will put up with.

Have a look-see at what they do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGkArY4AcUI

Have a look-see at what they do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGkArY4AcUI

lol. that's a funny video in a disturbing kind of way great voice. Never been to Japan, but would like to go one day.

Yes. In fact, I DID it, back in '91.

Lets say you're in your 40s-50s and you have a great job and
medical benefits and a wife and home and things that are
supported from your job. Then out of the blue you finally
become musically and commercially viable. It is suggested that you tour.
You have heard and read all the pitfalls associated with finances over
touring monies. It is questionable what you would end up with
considering all the variables. Your heart is pulled in that direction
but your head is saying wake up and smell the cornflakes. First
thought might be get a lawyer. Second thought might be they can be full of sh**t also.
You wouldn't want to end up that fool that lost everything chasing a dream.
You also wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to change your life
for the better.

This is a scenario that I'm sure has befallen a few over time. It is almost
a terrible place and a wonderful place to be at the same time. I'm sure a
lot of trust has to be given out but trust is very risky. Trust manager,
Lawyer, venues and other people that may be spending your money.

Plus, would you be happy? At that age you don't have the energy you
used to have. You probably have grown accustomed to your life as it is now.
Is it all about YOUR happiness at this point?
There would be a lot to think about unless you were a very selfish person.

Just food for thought for those that might be careful what they wish for.

So ... have you ever toured ... would be my first question.

If you haven't, starting to tour at 45 yrs old would be challenging ... it's not as glamorous as is sounds and takes a certain personallity (easy going, sees the silver lining in any situation) to live on the road for any lenght of time.

When I was in my 20's and 30's I toured for over 10 yrs on the road and if you're with the right people, and I mean "IF" it was great. If not it was HELL. I went out on tour with Ike and Tina Turner just before they broke up and it turned from a dream gig to satans hell in a heart beat and I quit the tour after 6 gigs ... it was that bad.

I didn't have a family or any bills or commitments back then, so it was easy. I'm 58 this yr and I go out on short tours for a max of 2 wks 3 or 4 times a yr. and that's enough for me ... Believe me when I say "I'm glad to be home" after the 2 wks, so I can catch up on my sleep and get some decent food in my belly.

If you were single and wanted to see what it was like ... I'd say go for it .... but it sounds like you have a wife and kids and a mortgage ... commitments ... big commitments. What does you wife say?

I still know a lot of hire guns that tour regularly ... but what I have been hearing from them is, there's a lot less work out there, less venues to play and the venues that support live music are paying less .... NOT GOOD
You have to make enough money for meals, hotel rooms, gas, and to pay the rest of the guys in the band ... that's a lot of money for someone that is relatively unknown .... there are bands out there that are "A" bands and have been touring for 10 to 15 yrs that are struggling.

Personally I think someone maybe pulling your chain ... I would check them out thoroughly before I jumped into the deep end.

Maybe take a 2 wks of your holidays at work and put a short tour together and see how it works out ... neanderpaul did something like that a couple of yours ago ... one man show

Excellent points all around, Prevost! Even in '91, when I was doing it solo, it was a hell of a time. Venues closing on me, changing mgmt & 'losing' the entertainment calenders, double-bookings which meant I lost $. The constant scramble to get that next job, the arguing with club-owners or mgrs to get paid, the occasional car troubles, etc. It's one helluva way to make a living, & most ppl can't make a living at it. It's even tougher today than it was when I did it. And keep in mind, there ain't no bennies. No workers comp. No unemployment. No insurance or vacations. you get hurt, you get ripped off, or you get sick, & you're screwed.

We're doing a benefit for a local full-time muso this coming week, cuz he had an aneurism. His medical bills are completely out of his reach, of course, so he's pretty well flooked, & he lives alone, so he has zero income while he recuperates, until he can work out some sort of relief from welfare or something. Uninsured, of course, cuz like all of us muso's he was gonna live forever.

Just a few more thoughts to consider, while your family depends on you...

...from what I've heard, you better know what you have at home before you "take off". A discontent, unsatisfied woman isn't a good thing. Just sayin'.

The old days are gone and until they figure out how to make music lucrative again (aside from making instruments or software), I'm not giving up my gig, especially after scoring four bonuses this year, prima healthcare and a nice investment fund.

I've known too many people who were in big named bands that got screwed or they didn't wind up with as much money as they thought they would, even after being all over the charts and having their pictures everywhere. Heck, I make more money than them. All you have to do is get sick and then you have no healthcare and your friends have to throw benefit concerts for you.

I'm setting my sights for the film industry these days.

Chaeya

Good not to make too many enemies, if you do, no benefits will be thrown for you. _famous quote I just came up with

This was a scenario.

They are great Scratchy and thats my genre, but I like this video better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r09ujh_SS5U

This was a scenario.

And a damn good post for stimulating thought.

I've been taught to consider full and act decisively.

Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Safety and security are illusions, even in our comfort zones.

You can not go when your 50 ... and when your 80 you may be looking for someone to kick your ass because you can no longer reach it yourself.

Absolutely it’s an even deal. If the wife ran across a once in a lifetime opportunity, I’d be down for that as well. It’s not really a true dilemma, because even if you did it and it didn’t work out, you still took that chance. You lose the meal ticket, but that’s all it is. So you have a lot less stuff, but at least for some time you were actually living.

I have to say after reading all the input. I would do it
but on my terms. The money would have to be right. It
would only be occasionally maybe 5-8 times a year and
I would not quit my day job. Ofcourse this would only work
if I continued to write and perform popular music. I believe
you can have your cake and eat it too. I believe good writing
and good performance gives you power to control. With local management
and popularity you can control your Region somewhat. I think a tour
for most is set up by those that don't even know you. They don't have
your best interests in mind. Like some bands control a 3 town area
because they are so good. The same can be done in a Region. With
Regional success, the step to National can be so much easier. You hear
of bands touring across the Country usually with a number of other
acts and it being so hard. I think its a case of taking too big a bite too
fast and allowing someone else to tell you to bite it.

Just my thoughts.

This was a scenario.

They are great Scratchy and thats my genre, but I like this video better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r09ujh_SS5U

They play the Grand Olde quite often. Tim and I go back to rockabilly bands we had years ago. And he was with THE GIZMOS (punk) out of Indian before I met him.

Don't get me wrong she's good and has a great personality
but to me is a little one dementional vocally.