I believe if you do what you do well and put the music before the money, the money will come. Of course, I believe that this is the way it works in almost all endeavors.

I believe $100.00 for an hour's performance at an Assisted Living facility is ok, but it surely isn't "great money". I wouldn't start my car for a $100.00 job.

The trick is figuring out how to get paid well for what you are best at. For me, it's film scores for industreial/commercial projects I write, shoot and edit. For others, it's lounges or nursing homes.

My challenge is to maintain the integrity of the music, and for me, that means no Jimmy Buffet and lots of other "no-no's". Do I thinks others should do the same...avoid the same things? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

But I do think there is a line each of us should draw and stay true to ourselves.
I expect to clear at least $10,000.00 for each film score, but, if the company is questionable or I don't believe in the product, I turn the project down, with no negotiations.

There are some that disagree with this approach, and Gary thinks that this attitude results in no work.

I will be celebrating my 52'nd year of working at least 4 nights a week for the best
organizations in the area with 9 total weeks off in Feb-2008.

As far as music or anything else I do-the quality of the work is everything.


Works for me.


Russ