You Expect Professionalism?

[bigbak]

scoota-rama-lama-ding-dong said:

volvos.... quite inspiring if you ask me.

Volvo's rock...especially that V8 XC90.

[scoOter]

bigbak said:

Volvo's rock...especially that V8 XC90.

wow! great out of context quote! that was almost daily show-esque!

[Brad]

bigbak said:

Amazing. Do you actually think what I wrote was an insult to anyone on this board's intelligence? Me, I like to believe we ride with a smart bunch, and I like to believe everyone understood my point.

It's a business. The performer is the product.

You're an astute guy, you understand supply and demand, and yet you want price controls on an artistic medium?

What do you do for a living Brad? Are you the best at what you do, or the most popular? Should your earnings be determined by the least you are offered for your services, or by the most you are offered for your services? If your boss offers you a raise because you worked your ass off to prove your worth to the company, are you going to tell him to keep it? Or would it be more morally acceptable if he just didn't offer you a raise, to save you from possible corruption?

Boss to Brad "I know you generate a $1,000,000.00 in revenue a year for the company Brad, but that success stuff is dangerous. I'm cutting your pay back to the level of our junior staff - wouldn't want to be responsible for corrupting your ideals, ya' see."

I guess I should have added a disclaimer or somethin'.

No. You didn't need a disclaimer. I just needed to vent. Sorry. I'm much more relaxed now.
I felt insulted when I read your message at first and I should have just said that instead of including everyone.
I didn't say anything about price controls as Elegantmule (I call her Elegantcool) said. I just think it should be in perspective.
As far as what I do. I'm a stand up comic but since I was born 10 years too late for the Stand up boom of the 80's I have to wait tables also. But I'm a great comic. I work very hard at it and I get great responses whenever I perform. I have yet to catch a real break but I feel it's what I HAVE to do and eventually I will. I'm telling you all this because I have a perspective about art and commerce that I don't think will ever change.
If I get paid in beer and food for a comedy show - I'm happy.
If I get real money (no matter how small) for a comedy show - I'm thrilled.
My dream is to keep doing what I'm doing but erase the waiting tables part. If I'm getting paid well and make a good living doing comedy -I'm the happiest guy you'd ever meet EVER.
I guess it's my own personal beliefs that make me mad at the ridiculous amount of money people get paid to do what they did for free in the first place. As long as you're making a good living doing what you truly love why do you need more? The saying goes, "...the rest is gravy." but how much f*cking gravy does one need? I guess no one can truly understand this until they are in that position of superstardom.
I'm in the postion of pooperstardom and if you paid 10 bucks to see me then I love you. I feel I owe you a great show.
If I got an HBO special and my own sitcom I'd still only want them to charge $10.
If someone paid $20 I'd feel like I'd have to write a whole new act just for them to repay them. Maybe this is just me or maybe it's just because I've really struggled and I never want to forget what it's like or take anything for granted.
Anyways...
I'm sorry if I was a bit harsh before bigbak.
You sound a lot like my older brother who I love but disagree with a lot. I think that is why I got upset:)
No hard feelings man.

[Brad]

MikeR said:

Personally, I hope a lot of the over-bloated arena acts keep on charging higher and higher prices. Maybe, at some point, that will encourage more people to go discover all the incredibly talented rock & roll bands who are currently scraping out a living playing in small bars all across the country. U2 isn't a bad band and my intention isn't to trash them, but there are hundreds of bands that I believe to be better in terms of the quality of their music who can be seen in an intimate setting for something like 5% - 10% of their ticket price.

I really believe that - at least for the people who love roots-based rock & roll and are willing to do the necessary research to FIND all these wonderful bands - we're living in an extraordinary time...

This is a great, great point.
I agree and thank you for your insight.

[snickers]

MikeR said:

over-bloated arena acts

wasn't it exactly this phenomenon, in the late 70's, that was at least partially responsible for the birth of the excellent cool thing now known as punk rock?

[paulie]

in my humble opinion the cheaper the show the better the show.

[bigbak]

Please see corrected post below. Thank you. Very much.

[bigbak]

Brad said:

but how much f*cking gravy does one need?

MWTer's have been asking that question for quite awhile now....sorry Gravy, just couldn't resist. I'm slime.

Brad, I admire your convictions. But please, when you are filling clubs with fans, remember, you are the draw - you are the one people are paying hard-earned dollars to see.

The stories of eager young musicians just happy to be putting out a record giving up all rights to their music or talent are legendary. Too many of the early Blues, Country, and Rock pioneers ended up spending their twilight years living in poverty while their managers, publishers, etc., retired to estates in Sonoma. (Uh, legal disclaimer: "retired to estates in Sonoma" is in no way a reference to CCR, John Fogarty, or Saul Z.).

You are in a profession that attracts quite a few bottom-feeders looking to cash in on the next hot thing. Do not think for a second that if you say you'll work for the same rate of pay that made you happy when you were struggling that someone isn't going to go off whistling to the bank with all the money your popularity is bringing in.