Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My little 4-man old fart weekend warrior rock'n'roll band doesn't do it for the money, however (even though we all have regular jobs) the extra $$ here and there is definitely a nice addition.

In the first half of this year we played 21 times and typically made $350-$400 (usually 400) for a four 45-min set gig. Basically $75 to $100 per person per night.

Just curious about the rest of the country/world ..... on average how much money do you all make when you play?

You mean they're supposed to pay ME?

Kent,

Here's my personal experience...

I've been 'playing for pay' since the mid-60s. My first gig (as a drummer then) was a Sweet 16 party for 3 hours for $27.50.

My gigging career has consisted mostly of playing weddings and private parties, which paid best. I've played bars, concerts, nightclubs, etc. while still taking wedding gigs, but they never paid as well.

Currently, here's a breakdown of what I usually earn according to gig-type. Keep in mind, this is the Philadelphia/South Jersey area...your area may vary.

Cocktail (1 set) - $50-$100/man
Wedding (4 sets) - $200-$400/man
Bar gig (4 sets) - $75-$125/man
Oldies Concert, usually outdoors (1 set) - $100/man
Restaurant, ambient (3 or 4 sets) - $75-$150/man
Solo Acoustic, coffeehouse (2 sets) - $50-$75

Hope this info helps!

I get paid in rotten tomatoes and flying beer bottles.

Remember Bob's Country Bunker from the Blues Brothers? That's what I need: Chicken Wire!!!

My first renaissance gig (and it will happen) will cost ME $300!! Plus fuel, gear, beer, etc......

The band I'm in is just getting started playing in bars and we're asking/being offered $250 to $300 per night, which breaks out to $50 to $60 a person. Even though we're no longer spring chickens, we are definitely babes in the woods when it comes to this area. We had no idea what to ask for. Fortunately, we all have good day jobs, so the money is nice but not the primary motivator.

BTW - I thought "Day Jobs" would have been a great name for the band but it got voted down. We ended up going with "No Reply", which I also like.

I do all sorts of fill in gigs, just left a three piece rock n roll band and have made anywhere from nothing to about $300.00 per gig, usually somewhere between 60.00-100.00 is average for me. I don't like playing hits or commercial music, I play mainly because I love it hence the low pay. I mean it's nice to get payed especially when I was in school and trying to live on it, ha! but for me it's a labor of love.

My band gets anywhere from $500 to about $1200 for a show (4 of us). We do covers only. I'm not too worried about the $$$$....it is all for fun. I am just happy to get a bar tab and enough money to pay for gas and have a little left to put in my "Rickenbacker Fund". How much we charge varies with how much we want to play somewhere, if we have played there in the past and drew a good crowd (or haven't had a good turnout), if we haven't had a gig in a little while, etc......there are alot of variables we consider.

Brian, I agree about the Rickenbacker fund. I've already started one with an eye toward ordering a 350v63 in Jetglo with Gold TRC and pickguards. I like the 325s, but the short scale worries me.

We do covers, too, although I'd like to start slowly creeping in the originals at a rate of one or two a set.

The ratio of money you make and clubs you play is inversely proportional to the amount of originals you play.

I remember the days that I made $300au a week playing covers for three nights work (2 gigs and one rehearsal)...and made $265 clear working 8-5/5 days per week in computing. At the same time, a friend who was very good at his schtick was making $2-4K per week (equivalent of, say, $8-15K in todays buying power). Needless to say, he's now making $500-750 ...$1000 if he's lucky...and still a phenomenal player

I made more money than I make now and played full time playing half covers and half originals during the 70's. It's rough out there now.

Ahhhhh......Inflation!!!

Get paid less, everything goes up in price. Isn't that how it works, now?