A Mel Bay Publications, Inc. Webzine
February 2007 · Bimonthly
     If you liked this article, you might be interested in: |
In this issue: How to be a Working Stiff (Part 2) | The 12 Bar Jazz Blues Form |
Life on the Road: The Urban Cowboy Band - Part 4 | So Your Kid Wants to Play Bass, Too? | "If Eyeballs were Ears" - Erik Scott in His Own Words Print this Article (PDF) Email Article to a Friend 
How to be a Working Stiff (Part 2)"What is it like to be a Working Musician?"by Kenn Smith Welcome back to part 2 "What is it like?" Well...it can be like anything in life. Some days it's just a job. Other days, it's a pretty cool experience, but always interesting. The one thing you must get used to is the ups and the downs, the yin and the yang of life. What does that mean? As I've said in the past, learning by example can sometimes be the best way. Here's my tale. During the period that I was at the Cotton Club, I was picking up connections and side gigs. The pay range for local club gigs from Monday through Thursday was about $30 to $80, Friday and Saturday was about... $75 to $150. Now keep in mind, this is between 1989-90 and some of the juicy gigs hadn't started yet. Now, corporate gigs, weddings, private parties etc., that's the big dough! And then there's the "New Years Eves" gig, also big money. All that can range from $150.00 to $2000.00. Sounds good...yeah!! Okay, "Ladies and Gentleman I'd like to introduce you to "REALITY". An example of my monthly pleasure and pain back then:
Do you get the picture? Yin Yang. This is how it started out. Did it get better? I'll tell ya next time. Now I could give you the old "give it the old college try" thing... but I rather leave you with this. I enjoyed it all... rain or shine, bad or good. It didn't matter to me back then. Because every time I went out my front door, amp in one hand guitar in the other I felt blessed. Blessed that I was a working cat, doing what I love for a living. Paying my rent...with my axe. See ya next time. If you have any question feel free to email me at kenn.smith@comcast.net About the Author Kenn Smith: Solo Performer/ Clinician/ Instructor/Author, 21 Years Professional Touring & Session Bassist & Guitarist. Kenn has performed with many great artists such as: Tower of Power, Stanley Turrentine, Stanley Jordan, Wynton Marsalis, members of the Miles Davis Band, and many more. He has written and performed in various styles ranging from Classical to Jazz, Funk to Progressive Rock and World Music. He has released two guitar discs "BLUE" and "TWO" and a solo bass CD titled "Short Stories". Kenn is currently performing, recording a new CD and writing articles for bass related books and magazines. Visit his sites at: www.kennsmith.com myspace.com/kennsmith [ top ]
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