My sax player is a huge big band buff. He showed us a few NYE's ago a photo of the contract for the Glen Miller band on NYE back in the late 30's. The total amount due was close to $1200.00 for 4 hours work at a premier hotel in NYC.

My point is that costs have risen in a way that incomes haven't matched, so yes, the financial aspect of the music business is a major part of the landscape today.

Back in the 30's & 40's not everyone even had record players. So the prevailing custom was to attend performances in person. Look how far we've come. Digital mp3 files are found on our car stereos, cell phones, etc. and of course the mp3 players themselves. They're so small they fit in a shirt pocket.

As a people we no longer congregate in the way our parents did. Those of us who work animal clubs see it every time we walk through the doors. The clubs used to be packed through the 50's and 60's are now happy if their bar is full for a few hours a week. Live entertainment has gone from a high of 3-4 nights a week at these clubs to maybe 1-2 a week today. In ten years I think a third of these type clubs will be gone, in twenty, probably half of them.

Technology keeps changing how we experience life and music isn't immune to it. Combine that with economic factors and you bet its a different ballgame. I don't think we're nearly as a "social" people anymore. Most couples I know are hunkered down with their kids, jobs and families and don't have the wide range of socialized activities our parents did. People don't even attend Church in the same numbers they did 30-40 years ago. Things have changed and will keep changing.

Those who want to experience live music will be able to find it in most urban centers without too much difficulty. Not in the same way the previous generation did, but in a way that more suited to our current times. I wouldn't call it the death of live music but the nature of how we access our music will never be what it used to be.

...and in 30 years, it'll be pretty different than it is today.



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Bill in Dayton