How Much Do Touring Musicians Get Paid? Nashville
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- Опубликовано: 27 апр 2024
- Let's talk about what nobody likes talking about. In this video, I break down what Nashville touring musicians actually get paid. This is a variable scale and the best way to break it down is by decade or era of country music. I'm not calling out any specific acts/artists but aim to give you a general idea of how much money you can expect to make backing up a household-name type of artist on a major tour.
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Appreciate all of you watching.
-Nicky V 
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I really wasn’t expecting the video to get the amount of reach it did. Really appreciate you guys checking out the channel and thank you for the kind words. Also, those of you that found the Venmo link in the description…you guys are too kind really appreciate it and going to try to up the production/camera work with those funds.
Wonder what motley crew pays John 5? $2000 per gig ? Just a guess. I mean he has no play on their catalog of music. So he is just hired gun.
@NickyV Thanks, brother. Good luck with the future!
I’m a club sound dude in St. Louis and every Nashville artist I had the privilege to work with were the nicest performers. Plus super talented. Guy does a Christmas show every year in this little club and his father tips every employee $100.
In 1987 I met jazz guitar extraordinaire’s Herb Ellis and Johnny Smith in a bar following their show at the Paramount theater in Denver. It was a chance meeting when Herb was walking behind me without knowing I backed up into him. I turned and saw Herb and Johnny being seated in a booth near the bar. We talked for a few minutes, told him I was a broken hearted guitarist who knew he didn’t have it. He asked what I do and I told him I was an engineer with Martin-Marietta in Denver. Herb told me to be thankful for my skills because the guitar pool is so deep with talent that most guys will never see the top.
@@OrbVroomer Nice!
Who takes $10,000 worth of equipment in a $2000 car on a 150 mile trip to earn $150? Musicians and Scuba instructors
Haha I've never heard the Scuba added to that...have to put that in the repertoire.
I'm both and a fishing guide too. Crap money but lots of girls!
😂@@CaptainCraigKWMRZ
Fishing groupies 😂
Groupers?
@@CaptainCraigKWMRZ
😆
I played in a Country act in the late 90's and early 2000s'. We did about 300 shows a year. I got paid $300 a show. It didn't matter if we were playing a 10,000 seat venue or to bartenders at the Rusty Nail. I got $300 a show. Travel was taken care of. Hotels were taken care of. I was on my own for meals. $90,000/yr. I was in my mid 20's. No wife. No kids. No real responsibilities. It was fun.
After that, I played on cruise ships for three years. That was really fun. The money was no where near as good, but the partying was insane!
Now, I teach and do session work. Still beats working for a living!
Love it man. I did the cruise ship thing straight out of music school. It’s a literal paradise for a single guy in their 20s.
Appreciate you checking the video out!
I was exactly like you for about 2 years. Didn't last long but I like to think I accomplished one of my small dreams anyways
I remember getting paid for my very first gig ever. I held the money in my hand and could not believe I just got paid to do that
Nice! I got paid $20 for a gig when I was a pup and was wondering why I just got paid. Lol I actually said "what is this for?"
My Dad laughed at my pay( kind heartedly) I responded, Dad no one is paying me to play hockey, and they are definitely not clapping for me. He got that concept, especially being Canadian. 😂
Rusty Nail in ardmore? I played there a month ago!
Back in the day when I dreamed of being on a bus, I would've done it for any pay, at first. I made $325-400/show with artists that had #1 hits, Grand Ole Opry member, etc. We were busy with 100+ shows a year, which may not sound like a lot, but that's a ton of travel when you add 1-2 days on either side of gigs. But there I was, having invested many thousands of hours into my craft, making ~$40k/year and hardly ever home. Was it worth it? There were thousands of people waiting in line behind me for my gig that thought it was.
Later I ended up getting the Taylor gig, and that was a different ballgame. She paid salary from the very beginning, with healthy bonuses when we were asked to go above and beyond. But even then, the compensation was in no way comparable to other lines of work, as your video accurately describes. After a while, I tired of the "thrill" of the big stages. Don't get me wrong, I'm super thankful for the experiences I had. I know there are thousands of pickers better than me that deserve them more than me, but the gig still lost its shine. I was away from home 300+ days/year with Taylor, and that was no way to start and lead a family. I opted to resign and find other ways to make money with a more stable home life. That was the right decision for me, and looking back I'm thankful for the direction I took.
You're right, the biz has changed big time. I came to town in 2004 and things were different in both touring and publishing. I'm thankful to have experienced some of the old Nashville, and thankful for how the experiences grew me. I hope your new venture does well!
Man, truly thank you for sharing this. This is absolutely dead on and fantastic for people to read. I’m glad you did what was best for you and your family. Love hearing that. Also thank you for the kind words.
This is very good to read. - a 28 y/o Nashville artist who’s also a sideman making $250 a show (+ half for travel days, that seems to be the growing norm). Corporate band work keeps me afloat, and I pump it all into my own music. Very strange life, but I love it right now.
I would love to be on the road (or at sea) for 300+ days a year. It’s hands down better than working one or more factory jobs.
Bro this is awesome! I never got the big stadium shows or tours but I played with some folks who started bands after they got off those. Just knowing i put my time in in some shape or form makes me happy now in my late 40’s. God bless
Banjo Ben, I wholeheartedly agree that it’s important to be thankful to have advanced into a top creative project, but isn’t there a part of you that feels like you got pimped out?
You’re a good presenter. Concise, thorough, and articulate. Thanks much!
Thank you so much for the kind words. Really appreciate it and so glad you enjoyed the video!
I agree. He has an authentic, real conversational quality. I feel like I just had an interesting conversation at a house party in Nashville, ha
I am honestly shocked. I did 62 weddings and private events last year in 2023 and never made less than $450 a show. Most of them were in the $600 range or up. It may not be Nashville, but combined with a teaching gig, I can support my family and that's the most important to me. Grateful to do what I love and make a living at it.
Totally shocked too that musicians of that caliber are playing massive shows for as little as $150! I'm making that in my little city of 80,000! That's awesome you're supporting your family as a musician ✌️
I don't believe you.
In SE TN it is saturated with incredible musicians. Especially Nashville. The competition is insane. And many people take advantage of that.
@kenbash2951 what's so hard to believe? Bc there are several factors as to why he makes decent money. Demographics are one, size of his band, popularity of his band and also he mentions weddings and special events. Weddings are cash cows for a lot musicians. Up here in the ND, wd make on average 1800 for a weekend gig plus rooms, weddings and street dances, average around 2200 to 2500, casino gigs bring in 2800 or better etc...even more at times. Down south and bigger cities, musicians are a dime a dozen and competion for landing gigs is tough, which makes it hard to get paid what your worth!
Hey man loan me 50 bucks. I know you got it.
One of my favorite sayings is, “We play for free, they pay us to move the equipment around.”
Hahaa true that
Exactly 👌
Truth
Yep
I played in the 90's, and averaged $150.00 a night. Then I was in a house band and only made $75.00. But it was more money because we didn't have to move the equipment.
I'm in a cover band in Florida. We average $150 - $200 each. Tips can be another $20 - $100. Add in the setup and tear down time, and it isn't a lot. You have to love it and I do. I'm 60 and have a real job as well.
Great advice. You have to do it because you love it. I’m much older than you but, when I was a teenager, I had a couple of accompished and commercially successful teachers. I was happy to have the opportunity to learn about music but I never had any illusions about becoming a professional musician. I was well aware how hard life was for the average pro.
It seems like live performance is dead these days. Looking into the market, lately, it seems like little has changed as far as what musicians make in the last sixty years.
You are still doing this at 60? I am impressed and congrats. My last full-time band was in 1992. I left the band in January 1992, hit thirty years old on March 25 1992, graduated college on March 26 1992, and quit the music business. I got bored of the bar scenes, wanted more so I went to college for engineering. My true yearning was to be in an orchestra playing stand-up bass, but, competition for such a position is even harder than a bar band, but the money is fantastic. Stay strong and rock on!
Great video. Thanks
What band do you cover?
Thank for the tip, I'll message a note not to go to Florida, the pay here is 300-500
I gigged from '16 - '20 in my 50's. It was always a dream to play in a band and gig. I learned that being a gigging musician for a living would be insanely hard. I can see why doing it for the chicks might be a great young man's game but by the time of my gigging career, my wife never missed a show in over four years... yay. Making music for money is incredibly hard, humbling and so much harder than it looks. I learned having a Front Man that knew a ton of bar owners is the most important cog in that wheel. I learned playing in a studio is like walking into heaven. I learned that weddings definitely pay. I learned that four sets with a Les Paul is a workout. God Bless the Tele... Great post and thanks.
Appreciate you watching! So glad you enjoyed it and thank you for sharing!
God bless the tele!
Ur right about that les p aul...man thsts a workout
Preach!
@@toeknee5777 I lived and worked on Les Paul Ave in Waukesha, WI for a couple of years. THAT was work... traumatizing work... in the auto sales industry (and I sold really cool cars).
One of the few videos I've watched that I'm bummed it ended so soon. I'm literally stunned that ANY huge stadium act pays less than $1,000... and it should be more. We, as simple fans that are now paying $50-$500 to see a huge act sell out an 18,000 seat stadium, and sometimes a 60,000 stadium always wonder about how much the take is.. along with expenses. All that money made for each show, and the musicians don't earn $1,000 - $2,000 each. Mind boggling tragedy. Thank you sir, for the humble, well stated info. Bravo.
Really appreciate the kind words and thank you for checking the video out! Couldn’t agree with you more, strange business.
I thought he said for those huge 18,000 seat stadium sell out shows they paid an averag of $200 a show. But why do you think its a tragety, I couldn't care less how little or how much they get paid. They would do those big shows damn near for food. They get their name in the credits, and get to meet a lot of people in show biz, contacts too, and its FUN.
@@leelafarlett3535 yeah. last time I tried to pay for groceries with 200 exposures they threw me out of the store.
I think one reason the young, enormous stadium acts pay so poorly is their still beholden to their label, who dictates who gets paid what. They may have given the artist a nice paycheck when they signed, but day to day aren’t making a lot in the grand scheme of things. The label finances the tour & logistics costs, which can cost many millions of dollars before the first ticket goes on sale. If The artist wants to pay the musicians more, that’ll come out of their own pocket, while the label, & management gets the lions share of promoters fees, merch & album sales. Once these bands reach legacy status & their contracts expire, they have more say & control how their organization is run. Shareholders of Live Nation & AEG can be more ruthless than an artists adoring fans.
@@leelafarlett3535 - FUN doesn't pay the bills.
There are many important things that get missed by nearly all young, motivated, musicians pursuing success in the industry. And I was certainly among them in the mid to late 80's when my two brothers and me were in a regionally successful band under contract with a well known talent agency.
We kept the roads hot playing clubs, festivals, race tracks, and sometimes colliseums and arenas opening for legacy artists as well as hot acts, some at their peak. I was intent on spending my life as a professional musician.
Then I met a girl in my hometown, fell in love, got married, and we had our first daughter.
Looking back now at 60, my daughter being born saved me from a direction that wasn't best for me. When I first held her on the day she was born, I knew that her wellbeing and her future depended upon me. I made the decision that day that I would not let her down. From that moment on, music would be my hobby.
I still continued to perform on weekends. But I went about securing a future for my family which later became a family of five.
I learned in my life that family and faith are more important than all the rest.
Young musicians are so taken by the thrill of fame that it takes them many years to clearly see the real economy of their situation. They're typically getting ripped off in many ways and eventually realize it. They're living paycheck to paycheck with no health insurance, zero benefits, and no investment whatsoever toward retirement.
They believe all that is so far off that they can worry with it then.
But all too soon, the hot new hired guns become old news when the new crop of naive kids arrive on the scene.
Then wrinkles start to show and the road becomes grueling.
Then age 40 appears out of nowhere and brings along aches and pains.
At age 50, your body slows down and starts telling you it's had enough of the road. And if you havn't taken it upon yourself to learn and prepare financially for your golden years, you suddenly realize you'll have to work until the day you die.
Life in music is fun. But it is FAR more fun with a secure future for you and your family and with medical insurance, benefits, and a retirement fund.
I'm thankful that God gave us children and blessed me with sense to make the right decision.
I retired as a telephone lineman at age 57. I'm a much busier and far better musician now than I've ever been.
I currently play in two 3 piece classic rock cover bands plus I have a solo acoustic act and I sing often at church.
I enjoy live performing on MY terms. I stay as booked as I care to be. My grandchildren and family can come to my shows. I sleep in my own bed every night.
Thank you for sharing this story. Needs to be a TED Talk for young folks wanting to get into it. It’s all a giant game of chess. Right now just road life personal life balance is pretty good. Really looking forward to being in town full time though. Get some weekends back and start a family.
Thank you again for sharing and really appreciate you watching the video.
-Nicky
Great post.
@@NickyV Enjoy yourself living the dream. But also educate yourself on investing for your financial future.
I know I sound like the uncle at the family reunion that everyone avoids because he's talking a foreign language regarding this subject.
But there are a number of good books out there you will be thankful one day that you read if you choose to. I read a few very good retirement investment books by Daniel R. Solin. Books about index funds were my best resource.
Believe me when I say from personal life experience that with each passing year, the next one passes faster. Months go by like weeks.
The day WILL come when you will have a deep desire for stability and companionship.
I hope for you, friend and fellow musician, that you enjoy them both and much more when those years arrive.
Break a leg!
I’m glad I made a career in the building trades. (Steady good money) I had a friend in 1980 that put himself through school and payed all the bills playing in a cover band at night . He made 400.00 a week. When adjusted for inflation that is probably about 1200.00
In 1980 there was live music all over. I guess nowadays everyone stays home and streams videos.
Very real and grounded with no ego. Fantastic, may I say again, no ego. Just real talk from a veteran. Very educational
I really appreciate the transparency. Good luck with the new website and recording projects!
I always regretted quitting the band and focusing on a solid career in information technology and raising a family. Now, after hearing this, I don’t regret it at all. I had no idea, professional musicians that work so hard at their craft makes so little.
I did the same, no regrets. I have a good salary from IT and can afford the gear I want and play what I want on the weekends. Home every night in my own bed.
Ditto. You have to truly love music and music only with your heart and soul to try and make it professionally. The odds are stacked against you. I make a ton of money in IT have a great home, car, wife, kids, stability. I still love music and play a ton, and I do envy those who get to experience it at a high level. But I have no regrets.
Exactly how I feel! I have a comfortable income and I'm set for life. I can afford a small private plane, a boat, a couple of houses, etc. If I had stayed in music, I'd probably be flat broke--or worse, dead like some of my former bandmates. What a shame the music industry has become what it is today. And thank God for getting me out of it when he did.
Same here. Even a failed programmer can make 80k a year easily. But a failed guitar player is busing tables.
Thanks for sharing this! I've been in the business as a session and tour bassist for over 50 years now, and these numbers (as averages) are very accurate. Making more (or less in some cases) usually comes down to the artist and any tenure earned with them or with other artists. I've personally found that loyalty to tour players by artists can many times be tied to a commitment to the show & material by the player, how easy to work with they are, how prepared they are and how much of a team player they prove to be. I'm very grateful to all the artists and opportunities I've had the pleasure to work with over the years.
You are spot on man. Really appreciate you sharing that and checking the video out!
Those are soft skills that translate well to most careers and can never be taken for granted. Why would you want to work with anyone that causes grief for the rest of the group? Life is too short. lol
Well done! The youngsters need to hear this…thx for your forthright explanation.
Great info, man! A lot of folks keep the money details close to the vest and are reluctant to get into what an individual musician can expect to be paid. You are doing a real service to any musician seeking to make a living at it. Thanks for this!
Dont believe everything you hear on the internet brother
Well, Nicky is entirely accurate here and I’ve got the resume and bank statements to prove it.
Right on man! Thanks for the perspective. Great channel.
Wow, musicians deserve more than that. This is surprising. Thank you for sharing. I'm wishing you well with all your endeavors. I liked, subscribed and am commenting just to support a fellow musician. All the best to you and your wife starting a family. That's huge.
So imagine what it must’ve been like when everyone stopped even paying for those musician’s music they spend time creating on CDs or download.
Thanks for the video! Very informative. Much appreciation
What a great video!!! Thank you for an honest and sincere overview of musician salary. I wish you continued success!
Finally somebody covers this! Great video Nicky!
Thanks man! Appreciate you watching. Trying to pull back the curtain a bit here on the channel for those interested.
Much respect and an awesome and enlightening content! When I was in my 20’s I was at a crossroad and had to decide to pursue music full time or get a college degree.. fast forward 40 plus years later and never looked back.. the past few years, I’ve rekindled my passion as a singer and rhythm guitar player and now play occasionally at senior communities. I buy all the toys and gig when and where I want, and getting close to the low numbers you mentioned. I don’t do it for the money as I’m financially secured. I agree, once a musician, always a musician and we all do it for the passion. Cheers!
Too few musicians speak openly and honestly about this sort of thing. People can't fathom a musician NOT ending up a big famous rockstar after grinding in bands for 35 years, but it happens all the time. More importantly, none of that should diminish the musician's love for what they do or the fan's appreciation for the music. Thanks for sharing dude. See you out there.
Sadly 95% of typical grinders that spend decades don't really grow much (unless they are exceptional and the right doors open) dont put all your chips in one pot. I would go learn a trade where they will pay you a livable wage and benefits, pension etc) or even be self employed gig to supplement your other musician career
@@jmabs5096 Yeah, I don't know that I've grown as much as I've evolved over the decades, which can be both a positive and a negative. Having other revenue streams allows me to turn down gigs that don't appeal to me (whereas many musicians have to say yes to every crappy gig because they need every penny). I agree that all your eggs in one basket can be tricky, and with what the music industry has become it's tougher to make a living. NONE of that diminishes my approach to continue honing my craft. Do what you love.
Its like a lottery...
@@jmabs5096 on the other hand its like singing and/or songwriting in nashville. You might hit one..get noticed, or never make it period. But you got to love what you do, so as your in your elder years you can say you tried. Nothing worse than looking back and saying "i didnt even try"
Not a musician but am a huge live music fan. Thank you for sharing this as I've always wondered what musicians make out on the road. And my thanks go to you and all the other artists who fill the air with the songs that make life so much better.
You are too kind. So happy you enjoyed the video!
Great, informative video Nicky and you seem like a real stand up guy. Stumbled across this by accident. I was lucky enough to land a legacy artist gig years back and it also paid really well, with salary and per diems. Got to play the Opry, the Ryman, Las Vegas Casinos, TV shows and more. It was a dream come true. I would later come off the road to raise my family. In my opinion, the best takeaway for musicians is to recognize the industry's financial limitations and position yourself to diversify and find other income streams like you're doing. - Continued success to you!
This comment right here sums it all up. Really appreciate your feedback and thanks for watching the video man!
Very interesting. Had no idea the new acts were paying so little. Craziness. Thanks for the video.
This is a great video man. I play bar gigs, weddings and occasional theatre gigs in Portugal and I’m making as much or more than the Stadium bands you mentioned. This video definitely puts that blessing into perspective, thanks for that 🙏
I’m bald.
Great Video. Non musician here but LOVE music and this type of behind the scenes info! Thanks 🙏
So glad you enjoy it! Thanks for watching!
Studio Musician here. I'm in Film and TV your pay scale is pretty much dead on... I make $500 for 3 hrs. and it's very fast paced. Covid changed things but the standard is still there if you can't play a piece of music at 98% or above you will lose that gig fast. A bit cutthroat but that's how it is. We also have to write lines ourselves at times on the fly. Best part is I'm home. Great Video! Glad I found your channel. 🤘🤘🤘🎸🎸🎸
Man, thank you for the insight into that side of things. I might do a video on studio work sometime soon. That's on par for master scale here in Nashville. Demo rates and limited pressing is $250ish. We kind of use the union rates as a starting/reference point but varies a bit. I do 40-60 tracks a month at the house and its great but I definitely prefer the tracking sessions just to feed off of everybody's energy...and the immediate feedback from the producer is nice. Everything here is numbers with very little actual notation so we are constantly in the hotseat writing part being a guitarist...the whole coming up with signature intros and turns thing. Appreciate you watching!
@@NickyV Almost all on my work is done at home now as well. I'm in NC and I couldn't agree more about playing with other musicians. I go into the studio very rarely and to give you an idea on our speed we usually complete an entire season score in one maybe two sessions, basically figure one day. The wild part is it takes them a year to film and it takes is 6hrs to Score it. So true about the big shows I have a few friends that has done the whole Europe tour thing and yeah it's brutal...
That is low, I made more than that from home.
@@TobyPlaysBass That's great though for the aspect that the energy is fresh and not wasted\stagnant. Really helps push the visuals along, and is probably more cohesive sounding. Thanks for the insight.
@@NickyV $250 per song is typically what I get for recording these days too. And even when I've been on the same tracks as guys like Pat Coil and Tom Hemby from your neck of the woods and Bill Champlin who's in the RRHOF, we all got the same favored-nations rate. I'm in the PNW now and am almost never in a professional studio any more as the pirated music recording realities of today won't support that expenditure so you have to have your own home studio if you want to join in any reindeer games. So you really miss the advantage of tracking with the other guys and knowing what they're going to play to orchestrate your part. Since I play drums, I always put my part on first and that dictates things like what rhythms the bass players is going to play as my kick pattern is already a fixed entity by the time they get the files.
Anyway, I grew up in the heart of the studio player zone of Los Angeles during the glory/analog days when bringing it, on-demand and without the backstop of any turd-polishing software was standard or you didn't get asked to the dance. I truly wish there was some way of bridging the understanding gap with the consumer/public who ultimately supports what we do, that even though we may not be there in person to play when you're thinking of pirating that recorded music, (so what's the harm?)......that it diminishes what we make because of the lack of overhead support for all that's required to do it at that level. It's the same for actors as they're being ripped off on residuals and the uses of their recorded performances and images too and for the same reason. The digital revolution in both music and film has broken the stability down that USED to allow for a standard working/livable wage for musicians. And I say that as a second-generation professional musician as my dad was a conductor and a studio vocalist before that. Anyway, that's my viewpoint from access to the last 70 years counting his experience and my own....
Your video popped up on my feed. Glad it did. I'm subscribed and looking forward to more. Great video. Thanks!
Nice! So glad you enjoyed it man
Mad respect for you! Wishing you all the blessings that are to come to you and your family.
That’s very kind of you. Appreciate it
That was a great video and it shows that it's a tough market out there. Also, the way you present yourself is awesome! Here's to many good years ahead!
Solid info here for those considering a career in music and Nashville as their base. Continued success, Nicky!
Thank you man! Enjoyed getting to pick together last week! Appreciate you watching
Great video, Nicky! I started my music career in 1973 in the Army and have played semi-professionally until 2008. I never made it past the "Holiday Inn" circuit. I was in variety-type bands for most of the time, we were lucky to get $300 per week. The rooms were provided, food was on us. I left touring in 1986. In the 1990s, I was able to occasionally play behind some 1950's and 1960's acts who came into town, and made a little better money, but not enough to make me rich! I have subscribed and I look forward to more of your content!
Very insightful & Helpful. Thank you 🙏🏼
I appreciate the honesty. Very enlightening.
You got it
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this vid, definitely an eye opener and good knowledge to have. All the best with the new plan!
Means a lot, thank you for watching!
Great insight. I really enjoyed it.
Absolutely fantastic information, and very well presented! Thanks for sharing! I am a "weekend warrior" in your "hometown" area, and we have actually shared a "stage" or two! You have definitely "paid your dues", and carved out a path for YOUR success! Congratulations on a "job well done", and I pray that you continue enjoying what you do! Sorry to hear about your resignation, but I am positive you will once again show up on a huge stage in the future! Enjoy your family, enjoy your life! Sounds like your head, and your heart are in the right place!
Cool! What shows did we play together. It only shows your user name. Appreciate you checking the video out and thank you for the kind words
Really enjoyed your insight, your integrity & honesty! ... as a semi professional musician, singer and writer it's nice to see real numbers instead of the BS. Thank you for sharing this and " Keep those strings hot."
You rock man. Appreciate the kind words and thank you for watching!
Great video. Important information. Thanks for shsring
Really eye-opening information! Thanks for sharing and keeping it real.
Thanks for checking the video out man!
Great insight, Nicky! Thanks for sharing all that information, man. Super useful for somebody like me who’s constantly wondering about whether to stick to gigs in town + studio work or hit the road, and how often to do that. This is gold!
Man really appreciate you checking the video out and thank you for the kind words! So glad it was helpful
Very informative! Great video!
I moved to Nashville from LA 2 1/2 years ago and I love it! This is definitely a subject that needs to be talked about so I’m glad you’re doing it!🤘🏻🥁
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for checking out the video and welcome to town!
Thx for this honest assessment. I’m 50 yrs old and wow I’m so glad I didn’t pursue a music career when I was young. I would be broke. Now im thankfully retired early… but I still wouldn’t do that work for that pay. You are better off being the artist…
I was once offered $10 an hour (when I was free… like Saturdays) to be a studio musician via a studio… kind of a first call for the studio but paid by the studio… this was almost 20 yrs ago… I said thank you and declined… folks time with family is WAY more important.
Stumbled across this video and I'm glad I did. Very well done!
Thanks man!
Very informative video. Thank you very much. Thank you Nick…
music is like a fast food franchise where the hired musicians are like the minimum wage fast food workers, the household name star musicians are the franchise owners; the venue owners, record companies, etc. are like the franchising corporation.
Good analogy
I always learn something from these videos. Thanks.
Killer!
Awsome video. Thank you for educating us. Ive often wondered about the pay differences and much appreciate you helping understand this clearer. Ty
Ya man! Thanks for watching and so glad you found it helpful
Great video! Thank you for posting this, Nicky!
Absolutely! Thanks for watching
Killer video man! Awesome info that many are reluctant to talk about 💪🏻
Very insightful and happy for you dude
Much appreciated man.
Hey Nicky, thanks so much for putting this together. This stuff is rarely talked about, really appreciate it. Cheers.
You got it man! Appreciate you watching!
A lot of great information here! Thank you very much and best of luck in future endeavors!
That’s very kind of you. Thank you!
Great advice! Life's priorities should come first. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for checking the video out! I'm with you on taking care of what matters most...then the other things seem to fall in line in the healthiest way they could.
Great video, thanks for sharing
Thank you for your openness to share and for our opportunity to learn. Great video brother
Man this is incredibly kind of you. Truly appreciate it and I’m so glad you found it helpful/interesting. Means a lot.
-Nicky V
Great video---took alot of work, effort and knowledge to put that together. Nice work.
Cool info. Thanks for that. Good Luck in your new endeavor.
Really appreciate it man! Thanks for checking the video out
Great information. Thank you!
You got it!
Very fascinating, thank you for taking the time to post this.
Absolutely! So glad you enjoyed it!
I was blown away by how little the current popular artists are paying - but then, the artist has the upper hand, I suppose. That's truly a bummer. On the other hand, I'm a musician that FINALLY visited Nashville earlier this year. In addition to paying my respects at the Ryman (and chatting with Nick Cave's road crew), I was blown away by the music scene on Broadway. Every honky tonk had amazing players plying their craft. Now I understand why so many non-country musicians (like Peter Frampton) are settling there. It's a player's paradise. Much love!
I’m watching. Blessings to you and your family.
Thank you Mark! Really appreciate it man.
great video!
Good info for all musicians.
insight you can get no where, presented in a professional top notch manner. HOW IS THE CHANNEL NOT BIGGER! take my subscribe sir! Here is to more continued success for you! Keep up the great work!
Thanks Nicky! Very insightful. You rock man!!!
You rock! Thanks for watching!
Super interesting. Best of luck with your new venture, Nicky!
Thanks so much!
Thanks for this video! Very informative.
Thanks man, appreciate you watching.
My wife and I met Marty Raybon of the band Shenandoah on a country cruise. They were on one of their last gigs before breaking up. Marty was not scheduled on the cruise, but I recognized him on the ship and said hello. What a nice guy! They put on a great show and the next day Rosie, and I were sitting on the deck taking in the view and Marty stopped by and sat with us for about 30 minutes and told us about some of his future plans. I play a little guitar and have written some songs so this was a great moment for me. I enjoyed this video! Burlington Bill busking across the country and here on you tube.
Good bless all the great musicians out there! We appreciate all the hard work you do!😀
Appreciate you! Thanks for watching
Great topic. Good luck with the new project!
Thank you! I’m going to give it all I got :)
Thank you for your honesty. Music business is funny that it's been around so long but nobody really talks about how much people get paid so there's always an air of confusion and misunderstanding. Thank you for a very real perspective.^^
That is toothless
Dude, I opened for y'all in Joplin @ Guitars. You killed it!
Thanks for creating this channel. I’ve known some, but not all, of these economic realities of a working musician, so thank you for sharing.
I’ve subscribed, and look forward to future videos!
You are more than welcome. Appreciate you watching and thank you for the support.
I'm not sure why your video/channel suddenly popped up on my general RUclips screen, but I'm sure glad that it did. This was not only super informative and interesting, but you seem like a really nice, down-to-earth guy. I've subscribed and "liked" this video. All the best with your new focus there in Nashville, and with the family that you said you and your wife are trying to start. God bless!
I appreciate you making this video, it's very informative and as you say - you can't find any of this on Google. Anyway, as a European who is used to hearing about Americans making 2-5x as much money for the same job compared to ourselves (which has basis in several factors, I am not criticizing it), I am absolutely shocked at how poorly paid those gigs are. Even the top level ones. You are absolutely right that in any other field, the top 1% is much better compensated for their work. I can't imagine anyone who's not young, single and with no attachments that would be willing to take those gigs.
Appreciate the transparency here. I expected you'd be challenging a good ol' boy system. You literally gave potential numbers. Kudos.
Thanks man, appreciate you checking the video out
Awesome information. Thank you
I remember when I was in High School how excited friends would be if they got a gig that paid $150-$200 for the whole band. These days, I don't think most of our local musicians are getting by just gigging. Most of them do 3-4 different things just to keep a steady income. Some friends of mine just sit in here and there because they enjoy playing live. They've given up trying to full-time gig/play live. You are spot on, you have to do it because you love it first. Thanks for sharing!
Spot on. Best feeling in the world for a strange pay scale. Appreciate you watching!
The irony is that ticket prices for these shows have tripled in the last decade and musicians get paid journeyman wages for a show that makes a lot of money.
Videos like this raise my respect for the professional musicians out there. Thanks for the insight. 👏
You got it. Appreciate you
Thanks for making the video, great topic. All the best with the website.
Much appreciated! Working on it right now actually
We never fail we only learn! Excellent overview in the most humble tone I’ve heard in a while, spot on across the board - Cuz Cotton
Thank you for the kind words. Appreciate you watching
You are doing a great thing keep up the good work God bless
Thank you!
I’m a longtime musician and have seen hundreds (more like thousands ) of shows.
When my non-musician friends ask me what I think the band makes, they’re usually shocked.
I like your style. Subscribed.
Thanks man! Appreciate you watching!
So insightful and honest. Thanks for sharing
Glad it was helpful!
Cool vid, nice breakdown!
Very interesting video. Thanks for posting.
You bet! Thanks for watching!
Great insight brother Nicky. Looking forward to hearing more about your website too.
Ya man! I think it will be a cool deal.
@@NickyV Vested interest on my side so keep me looped in 🤘🏼😎
Will do boss!
Good to know that my wedding band pays the same as a high-level touring artist would pay. The cover scene on the East Coast pays $200-300/person/night on average and weddings here are $500-700/person/night. Appreciate this insight man!!! Cheers from a fellow Music RUclipsr :)
That’s great man. Wedding bands take it in. Thanks for reaching out and checking the video out
This is an outstanding video, many thanks for making it. As a non-musician, it makes me that much more appreciative of many of the bands that I like. A lot of them are either indie bands or ones that left the major labels years ago. I really do admire the fact that they continue to write and record songs and play shows when and where they can even though it's so tough for many of them to make money doing it in the current marketplace. Getting insight into how the compensation works behind the scenes is helpful, and I'm glad that they have options to find what works best for them. Thanks again.
Appreciate you sharing and checking the video out!
Thx Nicky.. great vid dude!
Thanks boss!
Thanks for this insight!
Glad it was helpful!
I recently had your channel pop-up on RUclips, and i really enjoy your content! Very informative.
So glad you like it!!! Appreciate you checking out the videos
Good honest video with valuable information!! Been living this life since the late 80s. The numbers fluctuate, but in general, this is spot on for today!!
Thank you for watching man!
NIky, exellent content and well presented; that said the numbers you posited are shockingly low. I would have guessed giging Tier II-level musicians would be in the $800 to $1200 per show, your video disabused me of those numbers. When I think of what ticket prices are today I would have thought band members would be making more.
You've started a really good thread; now, I would love to know what are the aggregated costs for not just the musicians, but the all the related tour costs, ( I.e. Promoters, Venue Owners, Management, Marketing & Promo, Hotel, Travel Costs, Insurance, Healthcare, etc.). A real world breakdown of these expenses by genre would make for sobering data when someone is contemplating making a livelihood as a professional musician. This topic deserves a lot more analysis and disussion.
Guys do remember that as we age brain workouts are just as important as diet and working out with weights and running. music seems to give me that at 73. playing with friends at about the same level of play. This has nothing to do with money but is an important aspect of music that does not leave me staring at a crossword puzzle. Great content Nick. You seem to be on top of what works for you and yours. Stay safe.
Thanks for checking the video out and your kind words Mike. No doubt that music is nothing but healthy for us all mentally...I feel very fortunate I get to do it everyday and not break my body down with physical labor (usually just bust knuckles working on my car haha).
Yes, diet and working out is huge. I’ve always thought that even when I was younger; but then again there’s beer; but as I got older (50 now) I noticed it more. Pumping all those good natural chemicals into the brain helps for creativity as you get old to keep it going. Great advice for the younger generations!
It's true... Mick Jagger works out every day.
Greetings from Toronto. Thank you love your honesty I don’T listen to your style of music. But as a creative person who made my living in creative industries I feel for your you and others.
Keep up with informing others.
I taught a few post grad courses part time while juggling freelance and I always told my students what to expect and how to protect yourself from companies that loved to take advantage of creative folks
I wish you the best
G
Spot on. Thank you for sharing and checking out the video!
Wishing you the best with your website and future family. Thanks for the RUclips channel.
Really appreciate it!!!