How Much Do You Really Make Playing Gigs In Nashville?
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- Опубликовано: 18 апр 2024
- What's up guys, I've got a long video for you today about something so important, how much money do you make doing this! Theres so many different levels and different pay scales but I wanted to give you a real look at what I've made in the past as a guitar player, and some helpful tips! So excited about all the new subs, welcome! More to come! Let me know what you think about this topic in the comments and what you want to hear me talk about more!
Gear used:
Guitar - @prsguitars SE Silver Sky
Amp - @fender Blues Jr.
Audio straight from the iPhone 
Видеоклипы
Been playing drums 45 years and never had a guitar player help me set up or break down. Subscribed!!!
Tim, keep with the “Nashville guitarist” vibe for this channel. Just raw and uncut. This style is so much better than the typical RUclips guitar channel. You, Uncle Larry, Guthrie, Justin O perspective is so much better and way more down to earth and relatable.
I'd advise against ever being a "nashville guitarist". The best thing you can be is a singer and songwriter yourself, who plays guitar. Do not EVER be just a guitarist in a town like this, otherwise you will forever be at everyone else's mercy. I learned from my early 20s mistakes and took up singing myself in my mid-late 20s so that I could do and go wherever I wish with my music. A lot of Nashville guitarists are all scratching and clawing for the gig. If you sing and write, you're a golden egg.
@@user-jq4fz6co8b I guess that everyone should listen to their muse. If/when she turns up, there's a decision to be made... until then it's about food on the table and a roof over your head.
Very informative wish you the best
Thanks for sharing pay numbers! To summarize: helping songwriter record demos (3 songs) $100; playing in cover band on the road: $175/gig with travel and lodging paid for; playing in cover bands in Nashville on the Broadway bar scene: $50 per 4-hour set base pay plus tips ($20 per song request is going rate) so another $30-$400 if you have a prime slot like 6-10pm; touring with minor celebrity doing their originals (maybe as opener for bigger act): $250 per gig, $150 per rehearsal, $100 per travel day, plus $50 a day for food (with travel and lodging paid for).
That's poverty level stuff. As much as restaurants/bars are charging for food nowadays, c'mon the $50 figure is just ridiculous.
Maybe do a day in the life of a Nashville musician? All us music nerds love the behind the scenes stuff
Yeah this!
This would be so cool
Your genuine sincerity shines. Great intro to Nashville musician life, thanks. Great guitar work! Cheers from New Hampshire!
How cool is YT that we get to hear from our legendary Uncle Larry on one channel, but now we get the young gun perspective on yours! Really great stuff, Tim, thank you 🤘
Very interesting, thanks! Will enjoy continuing to hear about your journey! Good luck!
Rarely get through long videos like this, this was great to hear, cheers man 🤙
Very cool! Prayers for you, yours, and your journey!
Hi Tim, this is Yann Quefféléant from Brittany (France). I'm an acoustic and electric guitarist and really liked your first video on Nashville, so went on to the second and third ones - no nonsense yet passion intact, and yes Drop D can be so musical. Obviously not going to try and find a job in Nashville but find your approach so right, like talking to musicians before being able to sit in; it worked great for me during the year I spent in Ireland long ago. Keep going! Cheers, Yann
Perhaps I’m in the majority here: Just south of 70, and never quite had the focus and drive to live that dream. Thanks for taking us along the road we wished we’d traveled. All the best to you, my good man!
I just found you Tim. You are a good speaker. You communicate well in a free form non-stop kind of way. I'm a songwriter and I learned a lot from you in this first vlog. Subscription earned! Look fwd to watching you as this all moves forward. The wall color of your room provides a good reflective light. I like the lo-fi nature of it all.
Favorite new channel right here. You dont need fancy cameras or high production value to put out great content, and this is proof.
I concur. ❤
I have no aspirations to move to Nashville or even perform live in my own city but that guitar caught my eye, your playing kept me, and I stayed for the whole video because of your humble, honest, personable demeanor. Good video man. I wish you continued success in your musical pursuits.
Great approach! It’ll be fun watching this channel grow and sharing the journey.
I love hearing your perspective as a musician working in and around Nashville. I would love to hear more content like this!
Thank you! There is absolutely more to come!
Fresh breath of air of cool videos from a working musician killer thank you brother
Love this insight into what it's like being a Nashville guitarist. I have been on Broadway eating lunch during that 10 to 2 slot and the groups I saw playing were great! Your video gives a great inside look at what it's like working the Nashville gig scene. Keep up the great work! By the way, I really hit the bell.
You are so well-spoken and extremely easy to listen to. I’m not a musician, but I am a gig worker in the tour industry. So very often no one in our business will talk numbers and I know how much speaking about it, like you do, can help someone “take the the plunge” into the industry (or, even stay out) if that info is shared by a professional they trust. If I were a new musician on the scene in Nashville I would really appreciate your sharing of information. Well done, Tim!
I just found your channel. I like it! At 21 yrs old I considered moving to Nashville from Texas to try to do exactly what you're doing (back in the early 80s...). I didn't do it and that was the right thing for me (there's another guy that hit town about that time, last name of Mason...not sure if he ever made it or not) 🙂. But I think about it often and I love watching videos like yours. It takes an old man back in his mind to think about "what might have been", and that's a fun diversion. I'm terribly happy with my life choices and enjoy playing guitar every day and in our church band on Sundays....I still work hard at being good at playing the songs we're doing and take a ton of pride in always putting my best effort forth. Great channel....PS...I hit the bell too.
Thanks for sharing some of your story in a great comment, and thanks for hitting the bell! haha
Extremely insightful and honest. Thanks!!
Thanks for your honesty and "behind the scenes" perspective. You are a nice guy.
Really fun insight. Thanks for sharing. Love Nashville and visited the Country Music HOF for the first time last year. As an acoustic solo guy I would collapse if I had to play 8 hours in a day. God bless you young folks with lots of energy! Good luck with your career.
Loved this inside look! Keep them coming
Very insightful, interesting and genuine! Keep doing videos! I’ll scroll through your previous videos, would be great to see you playing in a band context!
Dear Tim I loved your honest talk, you play beautifully and have a lovely attitude towards your career. Thank you for a lovely cast and I have subscribed because it was lovely to listen to you.
New subscriber here . . . I subscribed at 497 on the dial and 20 minutes later you're at 504. It's happening!
Your tone and touch are the real deal. (I too have an SE Silver Sky and it's my go-to Strat/Mayer/rhythm tone machine.) All the best to you in this career and life . . . TC
Your Nashville perspective is really interesting, subscribed. Over 30 years of playing live, I had fun but I’m glad I didn’t quit my day job! From my POV, fewer people today value live entertainment. Tipping musicians well is good Karma! 🤩
Thanks for the insights..Cant wait for more contents bro!
Thanks for sharing this candid video...down to earth, and honest! Thanks🇨🇦
this is a great video and there are a ton of information here for us musicians! thanks man! love your playing and following your journey!
What a insightful video, My wife and I and friends had a vacation in Nashville in 2019, I am a local musician that just turned 60 and love music!! We took one of those trolley tours and the driver said that the bands only make tips. We stumbled into a bar called Rippy's which became our go to place. There was a band that probably had 1 or 2 songs left, we asked for our check while the next band was doing a sound check. We loved them so much we opened our tab and stayed for they're entire set. We must have gave them 80 to 100 bucks in tips and I bought them a round of drinks. I believe the leader's name was Jason Gobel and the lead guitar player's name was Ethan Ellis. I cannot wait to go back to Nashville!!!
Bring more money, Nashville has changed! Development is over the top. Crime is out of control, so enjoy but be smart.
As much as i love it, I'm too old for the Nashville scene.... I'm a weekend warrior down here in Tampa... I have a 4 piece band, me & my piano player have a duo & I do acoustic solo.... solo pays the most 3-4hr sets pays $250 plus tips... I did 4 gigs in 2 days one weekend...I was exhausted and my voice was shot by the last gig, but I made $1200! Duo we make less $350-400 plus tips but it's less pressure on me to carry the whole show usually we'll get $75-100 each in tips.... bands make the least... tons of work, I setup the pa & run sound and I'm the frontman 4hr gigs pay anywhere from $500-800 on average....some private gigs pay more...just booked a 3hr gig for $1500... that all being said I'm a full time truck driver and I make good money so the music is a hobby I get paid to do...great video keep up the good work!
Do you know a bass player in Tampa named Greg Seitz? He and I were in a road band in 1980-‘81. If you know him, tell him Jon Fine sez “Hey!”
@@jfinester the name doesn't sound familiar, but you know how it is, you meet so many people along the way & I'm terrible remembering names too!
Very similar to my setup really, I'm a fiber tech though not a truck driver.😂 gigs are always a good way to spend a weekend and makes "work" feel like play.
I was FT UPS guy for 40yrs and side hustled gigging. I almost wanted to walk away from UPS to gig gull time. Glad I did not. Retired at 58 and absoultely LOVE my Teamster/UPS pension and 401k. Now i am trying to come back and get back into gigging. Dont need the $$ but hey, it can keep me out of the ATM and i could gig at 2 in the afternoon or 9 at night and sleep late next day!
@@MemphisMike901Nice! I worked in a paper mill for almost 30…saved like crazy and retired at 57. My little amateur band plays only here in my kids old bedroom. All the equipment is upstairs and stays there! We walk in and everything is there for us. We love it. So glad I did what I did.
Great stuff here. Thanks, Tim!
This was fascinating. I really love your manner of speaking, so honest and relatable. I gotta admit, I almost got cold sweats when you spoke about your first road gig, and having to learn a boatload of songs in two days (not ‘kinda’ learn, but really learn). Sounds like you’re doing really well now, more power to you. I know how much work that takes.
I hit the bell for you man, already have a friend doing music full time in nashville and I'm considering it myself. Great to see more insight on realistic expectations of that life
Just found your channel Tim. Can't wait to see where you'll be in 20 years. 😊 We all look back on the yearly years with fondness, and being broke. 😊 Glad I went through it.
Great video man, rarely leave comments, but you really gave me a lot of insight. -21 year old with a cover band/working on originals band in STL
looking forward to your Tempe vlogs. Subscribed!!!!
Thanks for sharing. I have asked others in or around Nashville here on RUclips and they just want answer or act like they never see the post. I appreciate the openness and I’m sure other aspiring musicians will also.
Tim!! Happy to see you pop up on my feed. Much love man
your use of the thumb is mindblowing. that was my missing link, makes my day
Great video, I really love the current observations! Joe Lamont here, I played in Nashville either touring or down on Broadway in the off-season from 1990 until about 2016 although I still do occasional gigs with a bunch of other side men in a group called Beaker Street on occasion. I now live in Southern Alabama and as I am 58 years old, I have gone we’re all old piano players go and I work for Royal Caribbean cruise lines as a solo pianist and that pays the bills. When I’m not on ship, I also play some local gigs just to keep the chops up. My experience in Nashville was overall positive although networking and staying by the phone were prerequisites to making a living, especially before cell phones. I fell into the position of being a sideman during the tour seasons, and then doing three and even sometimes four gigs a day down on Broadway during the winter months. In the early days, it was relatively easy, and I want to stress relatively, to get gigs on the road that paid scale as I was very good friends with a lot of cats that had those gigs and had connections to those gigs. For instance, my last gig was a short run with Justin Moore and I got that gig because I was very good friends with his manager Pete Hartung as we had played in the studio often with a very specific songwriter so we knew each other. So getting those connections I assume is still, extremely important. The chops are a given, you either have them or you don’t. But staying with the theme of the video it’s important to make every connection, take cards write down phone numbers, know peoples names and faces and offer to be hopeful when you can. Set a standard with price, especially during studio gigs because it says a lot about you! Make sure you’re solid in every key! Strive to know every tune in your genre under the sun, and even those outside of that genre! But at the same time, find your style and integrated into what you do. I found it very helpful to be stylistic as a piano player, and yet still be able to copy licks when that’s what the gig demanded. I could say a lot of stuff about Nashville, it has gotten a lot younger, and I have gotten a lot older, in many ways I miss it terribly, the friendships, camaraderie, and memories will last a lifetime! As a sidenote, now that I play on my own and my history was as a sidemen who would occasionally sing harmonies if they needed, I find it interesting that I have to go back through all of my charts and memorize the lyrics now that I’m the guy who has to handle that! It gives you a whole new perspective on the band leader, and their responsibilities whether it be keeping their voice, healthy, being able to read a crowd, having sense of humor and quick wit will come in handy! It will also keep you sane in the long run! I wish all of those following their own paths through the world is Nashville, success and always remember, keep your nose to the grindstone and rock on!
Interesting insight thanks for sharing.
Tim, just found your channel and I'm liking what I see. Great content and you keep it real. Subscribed.
Man this was great. Glad I found your channel.
Great video. I played bars and night clubs for 18 years.... that was over 20 years ago. $100-$150 per night for four hours was average back then. Had a blast but never had any money in my pocket.😅
Awesome video!!! Thanks for sharing your experience and story!
Pretty informative. Appreciate your time bro. Everything you said makes sense and like you said if you hit all three you're doing great. Really surprised your channel is fantastic Keep up the good work let us know if anything changes for the better🎉. PEACE OUT
So glad I found your channel!😊
Super helpful information dude!
I love the good music, good people, good money analysis. Even little old me, doing local gigs, can totally relate.
This is really interesting. Thanks for doing this. You play great.
Bro, I don't even gig, nor care to, I just love live music and randomly stumbled upon this video. What a fascinating insight to the live gigging world! Thanks for all that you do and for sharing.
That was great. Thanks for sharing all that info. Especially like the 3 things: good people, good pay, good music.
Pretty cool to have someone give you some insight as to what you’re daily is like, getting paid and being honest about the work ethic. Cheers 🍻
Really enjoying these chats!
Im happy to see someone in your position and behaving like a true professional.
I got lots of tremendous opportunities that way.
Here's the thing I wish I would have known.
I was working with a band that was doing pretty well and I was convinced that they would have my back. I was sure that they were my brothers for life.
We had a following, they all had family, friends and again, i couldn't see any signs of what people are capable of doing when they let greed infect them.
I won't go into all the details because it's so atrocious, you probably wouldn't even believe me.
Just keep your eyes on the people who are close to you. You don't want to feel the insidious betrayal that I went through.
I don't know how i could have been so trusting. I still don't see where there were any signs of what happened.
It just happened, and it takes a very long time to find forgiveness so I don't have to carry around the hatred anymore.
It takes a very long time to not feel like a complete sucker. I guess im still not completely over it cause it HURTS.
You're doing great and i really appreciate your videos man.
Loved this vid!
Very interesting window into the world of a working musician.
You seem like a really great guy! Thank you!
Love the channel, great subject. Thanks for opening up.
Love this video . Hope you get to where you want to be . Fabulous insights .
very insightful - thank you! As you say, you gotta love it.
Got some serious “Gravity” vibes in the intro. Definitely hearing some Mayer influence. Love it!
I'm pumped your channel sounds awesome man! Especially if you incorporate stuff from the road.😊
I would love to see a video talking about your journey of learning how to transcribe songs with the Nashville number system. Also maybe some tips in hindsight for those getting into learning it. Lastly maybe a general recommended consistent routine to sharpen your transcription Nashville number chops. Digging the videos look forward to more 👍
Just subscribed, great playing from the heart.
I am an older musician. You really communicate instantly with your playing. Very fascinating.
Great playing. I also use a Blues Junior. You just can’t beat a tube amp. Glad to find your channel. 👍
Great job! I watched the whole video and didnt realize 30 min went by!
Tim, thanks for this video, l found it very interesting!
Over 1000 subs, congratulations!
👍 It's great that you covering this type of information, much needed. I wish we had access to first-hand insight when gigging in the 1960-70s. Learn while you earn... hopefully!
Enjoyed it. Keep up the great attitude!
this is an amazing, insightful video Tim. thanks. the 2 out of 3 rule at the end hits the nail on the head. good luck to you.
Great attitude and tasteful playing dude. Keep it up
Great video. Good luck, the best Paul.
Love the insight man!
This is really cool! Liked, subscribed and looking forward to LOTS more of your wise counsel.
Hey Tim , Great job with the vibe of the videos . I think you got something
Absolutely love your transparency! This is so helpful to those who inspire.
God has good things in store for you, keeping humble, working hard, and eyes on Him.
Thanks for the nice comment!
Super cool video Tim. Kept my attention the whole time. Give us some more pickin
Hey Tim
Really like what your putting down…..
“I hit da bell”
Thank you for such an informative video.
I would strongly advise using an accountant to figure your taxes.
Also, if you are traveling, keep at least 1 receipt per day to prove you were traveling. I don't know how much the government currently allows each day but they will reimburse things like mileage and meals.
You can also depreciate your gear.
These are some things that a good accountant will be able to help with.
My last year of playing bars, in 1991, I was making $300 a week. I owed almost $3 thousand to the IRS. But I was able to almost break even with IRS per diem, mileage and gear expenses.
If you are a hired gun, it may be worth your time to set up a business with a separate account. That might save your personal finances if you fall in hard times.
Record EVERYTHING in a ledger or a notebook or in your phone. Gig dates. Travel dates. Business meetings or meals. Gear expenses. EVERYTHING. And keep your receipts. You could scan them into a thumb drive. Before the internet, I had trash bags full of receipts sitting in my apartment, which I seldom got to live in.
Good advice
Truth! When you're a musician, you're "not a musician", you're a business. Having a business plan, with alternates and "plug in" options, ready to go.
Having a bookkeeper or accountant and building a relationship with a lawyer is a must.
Especially if your math is 2x175=325😮 lucky Nashville Numbers only go up to 7 @dangerousdylan6262
I hit the bell for you young man, good luck in Nashville! Sounds like your doing alright
great stuff man, thank u
Great tone and fiddlin' 👏🏼🔥
Nice, honest and informative vid. Truth 👊🏼
Awesome insights into the Nashville scene. Thanks
Great video 😊 Really enjoyed the bands when we went to Nashville. Thanks for all the inside info. Good luck with RUclips channel & career 🎸
Great video. Very interesting - thanks.
Love the SE Silver Sky..my favorite guitar
Hey Tim
You seem like a straight up good dude. Keep up your honesty and keep sharing your gift!
Peace
Great to listen to a talented honest and articulate guy. Do what you love
Good video. Everything Tim says seems accurate. You have to love it immensely to do this for a living; be young, and have the drive with little owed debt. Tough life. I was blessed to have a great career and always played in bands as I worked while being a family man. I retired at 61 and started playing out a lot more for the love of it. My wife and I live very comfortably. I like to buy vintage guitars, play out with my band, and still go out to jams when I feel like it. And I have been playing in church for 27 years. Life is good, thank you Lord!
Enjoy listening to your experiences! Played bass over 52 years. Always wanted to do Nashville but was just a pipe dream after doing the family gig! 👍
I’m a musician from Iowa. It’s so interesting to hear perspectives from Nashville musicians I earn a very comfortable living with a band that I started when I was 19 I’m 25 now I think one thing that needs to be said is that consistency is key. staying with the same people creating a tighter sound and playing music that you love and making a show out of it is very important. The grind is real, no matter where you play at. I remember the days where we started and playing for $100 in a case of beer in a five piece band and it tickles me to say that I can support my family off of this. A few points I’d like to make. Is be professional no matter what situation you’re put in and always be kind to everyone you meet. Not a lot of musicians talk about this, and I know not every musician has good experiences with agents, but an agent and having a different source of representation other than you saying that your band is good to a perspective. Buyer is a huge thing. At the end of the day, it’s a job showing up on time being courteous and loving what you do get you super far. You might not be a household name, but if you play music for a living, that’s a reward enough and sometimes I even need to be reminded of that. A lot of people don’t get to experience that.
What's your bands name?
I'm in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA) and first visited Nashville a few years ago. I loved the live music buzz and vibe everywhere in Nashville. I described it as the buzz of Vegas, but it all comes from the live music scene - and that the quality of musicianship is pretty solid at most places, often great - and sometimes absolutely outstanding. I made a point to tip every performance I saw and only had one request get rejected because the artist didn't know it ('Me and Bobby McGee', BTW). I appreciate hearing you sharing your experiences and guidance for those musicians considering the path forward. It's also enlightening for an enthusiastic audience member like myself. Thank you for sharing - and all the best to you!
Damn, that seems like a pretty safe bet as far as requests go too 😂
Tim your a down to earth cool dude. I did the live thing through the 90s, money was very similar. You speak to the camera very well. Subscribed! 🤘🎸😎
Great video and channel. Thanks from Sweden! 🇸🇪