stick to your guns, jook. it is possible to get a fair wage. (even if it IS the same money as 20-30 yrs ago!)
i've been doing exactly that...and here in Mid MO, no less.
this has been discussed here before...the norm now of many music venues to bring in several bands and have them split the door. absolutely ridiculous. and the chumps that sign on for that ass reaming only make it more difficult for everyone else who won't bend over and will only work for a "fair wage".
the venues/club owners/mgrs have ALWAYS had hand, known it, and called the shots..."hey, buddy...you don't like the deal?... no problem. i've got another 20 bands lining up that WILL come in for peanuts".
and it's only worse now than it was back in the day. but there are still places if you're up for doing the leg work and sniffing them out. i played two of 'em last night!
P-JAZZ played a 6:30 - 9:30 gig then i hustled out to the truckstop where one of the the gtrsts played bass til i got there covering the first set for me.
man, two gigs in the same day is always a treat and a good payday, but i've been walking around in a "boot" w a broken bone for the last cpl of weeks. so, i spent most of last night's gigs sitting down.....but it still wore my old ass down!
BREAD IS GREAT!
PRAISE CHALLAH!!!!