It's been more than 20 years since the "club circuit" has been considered a viable place to earn a living in the music business. Today's working professional has to diversify in order to survive, and the "outside" (private/corporate) is where all the real money is. The private parties are definitely the highest share of the money market, and that is where my income comes from. The club dates are a small part of the package that pay a few bills and keep my chops in shape. It's also a "meeting ground" for clients.

While $150 doesn't seem like much money to some ... it really is about average for the kind of work I specified, and way more than you get in certain parts of the country. (USA, that is) I could probably live on my private parties, but it would be a stretch, so I prefer to keep the "business" aspect of Show Biz as active as I can. By doing a wide assortment of jobs (including my recording studio) I have managed to stay full time and still squeak ahead a little at a time over the years.

As far as "The pro" is concerned:
I guess that because your name suggests professionalism, we are just supposed to buy that. I looked at your profile and got no name or no email address. So, I don't really know what to think. A professional entertainer would take every opportunity to advertise his name and how to get hold of him as well. Why so secretive? Are you afraid someone might actually contact you?

I agree that this is a place for discussion, but it has become much more than that for many of us. The closeness that some of us share has bled over into our personal lives and we truly care about one another. You seem to have an "icy" edge to all your comments, and it isn't necessary. You can let your guard down here ... it's a safe haven for musicians at ALL levels to join in the discussion. The pros help the novices, and the novices help the pros. We're all the same on many ways, so take a step back and try to get to know some of the good people that you are talking to. You'll enjoy the time much more.

I realize it's pretty safe to just stay anonymous and spew out all kinds of advice about every subject but if you open your self to the possibility of a TWO WAY conversation among friends .... you'll get more out of the forum. That's the way I see it anyway.

Concerning money - I rarely like to talk about it. I have shared that info with very few people outside my family and the fact that I shared it here was a testament to the value of this forum. I tried to show the readers that it IS possible to make some real money in the local music scene. It's a hard business, but it IS possible if you do it right. We are truly trying to help each other. It's not a place to SHOWCASE your knowledge. It's a place of true concern and caring. We all know a lot about a lot, in WHATEVER areas. I've gotten many tips from home users that help me in my daily work. Let's drop the "PRO" facade and share the MUSIC.