What is the likelihood that a blues guitarist like me can make a living in the 21st century?
November 17th, 2008 | 
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rmeyer8 asked:
I know I have the chops, feel, tone, and drive to make it big, the problem is good music isn’t popular and probably won’t be for awhile
I know I have the chops, feel, tone, and drive to make it big, the problem is good music isn’t popular and probably won’t be for awhile
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You have to be true to your craft. There are always venues where good music is appreciated, so just keep on doing what you’re doing and you’ll find your niche.
Low to dismal.
Sorry. It just ain’t where it’s at. And won’t be for some time.
And no insult to you, but I personally don’t get Blues. If I am sad, I listen to Baroque and Classical.
Tough business….what are your fall-backs? Studio work? Teaching?
Yeah, I feel ya man. If I were a “real” musician such as yourself, I’d probably feel pretty burnt that people like Ashlee Simpson (that’s right, two e’s) are making the big bucks.
I’m sure you could make a decent enough living on some sort of a club circuit though, in the right places.
Got to say chances not good. You have to be in the right place at the right time and heard by the right person ahead of all the other guitarists out there. you could certainly make money playing, but enough to make a living?
Day job
“The Secret Power of Music,” David Tame,
“Music and the Soul,” Kurt Leland,
“Creation: Artistic and Spiritual,” O. M. Aivanhov, “The Third Music,” Ann Ree Colton, and
“The Reincarnation of Edgar Cayce?”, Free and Wilcock, would help.
I’m a blues singer and I can tell you, it’s impossible to make a good living in Oz playing blues. The situation is getting worse everyday. Most pubs and clubs that used to support live music now only support pokies.
You can record and try to independently promote and sell your music, It is a much better way to get your talent out there, or if you have the dedication and desire get over to the USA. Blues players are open to jamming with “strangers” and if you have yer chops down, they’ll ask you back or give you other people to see. Good luck, and if you’re looking for a singer……
what does all that have to do with a paycheck?
I’m an whacked out electrician by day … Bluesman 24/7.
make good jack being a “sparky” also!
enough to buy some good gear and plenty of beer!