I'm not giving up on real music. I still play it, still listen to it, still gig, still work on it. Staying close to friends who connect the same way. Thank you Brad for keeping it real and building our community!
Precisely. There is only going to be more and more love for the bands that do make real music, it will become its own genre soon enough, organic humans with limitations made music as oppose to Ai everything.
Balance is everything. I have been a musician for 55 years, playing four instruments, but unsuccessful in the eyes of the world, but I have enjoyed the journey. I find great reward in knowing I am far more skilled than when I started. I balanced this hobby with a manufacturing business I created and love doing that equally, but not for as long as my music, which never gets old. The company made a financially secure life for us where the music never would have. Balance is everything.
I'm a 66 year old gigging bass player since I was 12. I've seen the music business and America go down the shitter. So sad to see what has happened to America and to real music.
The bad recession of '08 and then later, the covid lockdowns is what wiped the bars & restaurant lounges out.......NOT "social media". It was the 1-2 punch. However, the internet did kill the record industry. No more record stores. That bad recession took out many of the bars, clubs & restaurants......never to re-open again. And then the covid lockdowns finished off those that remained. I'm 63 yrs old & a lifelong musician/singer. I gigged hard for 2 decades. I was there. I know.
The other thing about real live music that people don't seem to get today - The natural high one gets when the band is locked in and the soundman has it dialed in to perfection - no drug in the world or big paycheck can ever compete with that feeling. We didn't play for the money, it was for the "art". I was blessed to be a part of the 80s rock scene and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. I say all the time to people: If you want me to see your band and you can't play without your laptop, don't bother me, it's not true live music. I be hearing your messge Preacher Brad and I am right there with you! Rock On!
Yep one Joe bonamassa and 755,000 people trying to be him. Look mom somebody wearing a Stevie Ray Vaughan hat with a Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar playing Stevie Ray Vaughan licks.
My first rock concert in 1977 was REO Speedwagon, $5 in advance, $6 day of show. We would leave as soon as high school let out and go in my 1972 Chevy Rally Nova with my 6"x9" Jenson tri-axials blasting away to Foghat or who was popular at the time, along with the bongs and whatever else we had. We would get in line as early as possible to be the first let in to run to the closest seats available to the stage. General Admission. The first time the crowd at the stadium would go crazy was at 7:14 pm, you got to be old like me to know why. Then the first band would perform and when the lights would come on at intermission, you could hardly see the other side of the stadium due to all the pot smoke in the air. Some of the best times of my life and gone forever into the dustbin of history.
Nothing even came close to finding new music than Napster, I was buying 8-10 CD's a week at the peak of Napster. The majors hated it, it gave the small bands a new pipeline to an audience. UA-cam has been a distant second, I find about 1 new band a week. Radio is the worst of all, music picked by accountants. The streaming services about as bad.
I'm 63... last of the boomers... last of the 5 night a week bar band guys... I miss those days, but I'm not bitter... to be fair, the scene was dying long before covid... I kept it up until covid... since then, I've done nothing except original instrumental music... finding players our age is another thing... and... my genre is not exactly a hot thing... And tribute bands just piss me off... I've played every song that was a rock hit from 1970 till 2018... Metallica to Steely Dan... and can't live in the past. But I persevere, because I must... 😊PLAY EVERY DAY.
Same age as me. I love all the old music, rock, prog, reggae. But there's a ton of good modern music around, too. You have to find it though. I spend many happy hours following recommendation chains on Soundcloud and Spotify. As well as all the old music, there's plenty of trip hop, lo-fi I listen to, too. And then what about world music? So much amazing music from latin america, africa etc. My guess is that most who say "all modern music is bad" make no effort to investigate it. And as for live music, still plenty of good gigs around. Mind you - the prices!!! 😪 Seems way more expensive in real terms than 30 - 40 years ago. Bands like Genesis/Rush etc, the prices wasn't an issue even for a student/teenager. But now , I'm far better off, but baulk at the prices name bands want. Perhaps thats as much why live music is dying? (though judging by the speed of sell outs even at extortionate prices, I'm not convinced it's dying anyway)
Thank you for posting this! It is very important for others to see this type of content. It really needs to be said. I always watch your videos till the very end and leave with a smile on my face. That is because you just might teach one person about authenticity and that one person might end up keeping music REAL and ALIVE! Your words have value, thank you so much for sharing them.
I'm retired now, and have been building a recording studio in my garage building. Whether I use it for just refining older ideas I had or recording a new album by an old dude (me). The statement that we still have a fire in us to continue making music some way or the other, is so true. The urge never leaves us. My Grandmother played violin and even in her 80's she would still call all of her many grandkids to play happy birthday over the phone for us. It was all the more touching when you could hear her struggle to play all the notes cleanly. Will never forget it. Thanks Grandma...See you soon!
@@CelestialWoodwayThe majority of people are not true music fans. The bulk of ticket sales of even huge Rock bands are not purchased by true music fans. If it wasnt for the circus like curiosity the majority has for bands these huge successful tours wouldnt be anywhere near the mega draws they are.
Happy Sunday, Yes sir. Im 52 and have been known to keep a party going by performing different genres of music. I love when everyone sings the songs with me. What a GREAT feeling. Ive always been an above average vocalists with middle of the road guitar skills.....but I love performing in front of people, no better feeling. In the 80,s, 90's and early 2000's, it seemed like my friends and I were watching a live band every weekend. There were SO many quality bands, both national and local bands that played at 1 of many local venues. Technology has stripped the quality out of the musicians. I dont mind some small backing tracks, but the live show MUST be live, not track's......Nothing better than watching 4-5 musicians play so well together that its magical on stage. CHEERS to ALL
Last night i was going through some old clippings of my band gigs in the 80's-90's and it was amazing to see. You really could play 5 nights a week. Usually a tue-wed at one bar and thur-sat at another. There were SO many bands back then, but also SO many places to play in the Minnesota scene. Great times! I wish that would come back for the young people who wanna play. Great video!😋
Yup.....except for maybe Sunday thru maybe Tuesday.....there was a party every night. Cheap beer night...payday night (thurs)....ladies nights (do those even exist anymore?)....only a handful of live clubs left compared to when I was a young man.
We were booked 3 to 5 weeks straight as a house band... then on to the next house gig... it was a circuit that could be 300 dates a year... then it went to weekends... then it went to one nighters... then covid... I said f*** it, and have done nothing but original instrumental rock... got a great bassist... still looking for a local drummer... agism and nostalgia are a thing I don't subscribe to.
Us old guys no longer need the spotlight, the late nights, and the questionable behaviors. If you're a real musician, you never stop evolving and growing your craft. You are constantly looking to broaden your horizons. If you are lucky enough to continue developing, there does arise a need to share. The occasional intimate gig thus becomes a kind of nourishment for the soul. It's the inability to find such an opportunity that causes the frustration, and makes one question their will to keep going with music. What I've also come to enjoy is modding budget instruments. I've got a parts drawer from hell, and am a J-bass guy. I've got a Fender hi-mass bridge coming today for a FSR instrument that I gifted myself (the last birthday had a zero in the age). I wonder if that bass will ever get a gig baptism. My 2020 stimulus special still awaits the opportunity. I tell myself that I am building a legacy. Both grandpas of the grandkids are retired gigging bassists. The other one came from a more Latin direction. We get along famously at family events, delving in to gig war stories. The oldest grand is 12. It won't be long now. The modded Squier Jag will be ready for the day in March. He can learn on the medium scale for a little while; the teen growth spurt has begun. Before we know it, the HS football coach will be salivating over an OL prospect. A full J-bass would be just fine for him, but his mom already plays my G&L P-bass. I can see his gigging journey begin with that one. We just have to make sure that there will be enough gigs to keep things alive until they can explode into mainstream popularity once again.
7:30 so true man, this exact thing has kept me from wanting to put myself out there and now I'm realizing that it's totally different doing it in front of real people. Lol
I Hear Brad!But Still nuthin Like Organic Music!😮Some How We Will Keep This Allways Alive and Allways Kickin Ass!Take care Brad!And Keep on ROCKIN,MAN!😊❤!
Brad, Love your channel and discussions. Couldn’t agree more about the state of music today. Recently I thought I’d get back into music and bought drums to get going again. During my process of getting up to speed it dawned on me how things are so much different today. The venues don’t exist, the genres are all messed up, people are even different. I don’t want to play in a room alone after doing gigs for so long. So I hung it up, again. So disappointing. Your video today is spot on. Keep up what you’re doing. You make sense of what’s going on.
Agree completely. I played those 6 night a week gigs in the 90's. After 40 years of slugging it out as a sideman, on the road and playing regionally, I retired from it last New Years Eve. Played every gig. Learned every song. Was on time and my gear was ready to go. I do not miss it truthfully. We ARE a dying breed. Not everyone got to do what we got to do. To those of you still out there, I get it. Rock on. Thank you for these videos Brad, you are speaking the truth.
Amen brother. When younger couples are out and looking at their phones instead of enjoying each other’s company, you know we’ve got a problem. Attention span, cost of living are all factors. But music does seem to find a way. Late 70s thank God Van Halen came along. Early 90s Nirvana broke thru. When kids compare earlier stuff it always smokes current crap so maybe we’re due for another round. I’ve played on the same stage as Van Halen and also played joints with sawdust on the floor to collect vomit. I’m grateful for a good run but miss the old days too. Remember doings gigs w no pay but you were happy?
Dude, this is exactly the I’ve been on for the past 10+ years wow Just letting you know, I understand. Nice to hear you today Brad you’re cool brother.
I have 125 original albums out on bandcamp, playing all the instruments, on a tascam 24 track studio. I’m overdressed for the party, for sure, and maybe I have more albums than fans, but that can always be turned around, and I sound like me, and if the hype machine ever happens, I got truth in my music I can stand behind. In the meantime, to survive I teach and I play corporate events solo and weddings and boomer tunes in resort areas. Not what I ever imagined when I was filled with hopes and dreams as a young talent, but when I came up I could imagine the big artists were people I could stand to be in a room with. Now I wouldn’t want to be around the hitmakers, sorry. At least I can still stand myself, and other hard working local musicians I admire. I still sound like me and I get the sounds in my head down on the recordings. Music is a great journey and we are all blessed, but not necessarily valued.
Problem is the cell phone killed music, instant gratification with no effort, video games as well. I spoke to a guy who owned a music shop, he said a 14 yr old kid came in with his mother super keen to learn guitar, within 3 weeks his mom tried to see the guitar back and said her son had given up because he couldn't solo like Eric clapton after a fortnight, ha, straight back to staring at the phone
Old ladies watching too LOL. Gen X has a unique perspective because we know what it was like before the internet became the bloated misery it is today plus we grew as young adults along with the technology when it was introduced. We've been on both sides of this. These kids who grew up with internet have no idea what they are missing in terms of soul, consciousness development, and how much brain-rot it causes when you are glued to devices.. AI will be come really really boring without fresh input!! I do think some youngsters feel or will feel something is missing, and they will be seeking the kind of advice you are providing.
In the 70s and 80s a top 40 band could make good bread in Atlanta just playing the Holiday Inn circuit around the perimeter of the city. ,6 days a week ...That is long gone.
@badbrad ,the sad thing is those bands were making 100 dollars a man per night then.....and here now 40 years later dudes will be playing for the same 100 dollars somewhere tonight.....100 was real money in the 70s and 80s though....plus playing 5 or 6 nights a week it was real money....today guys are not working that many nights a week, so that 100 is just gas money.
We only got a hundred for a wedding or a party. Bars were 50 a night, later thought we,d get 100 when we could pack the house and work the crowd to by drinks
In 1975 we were playing 6 nites/wk from 9:30pm to 3:30am, for $100 per man. Plus we were putting 1/2 the gross into a pool to pay for recording. We played covers and originals. I had so much FUN! It was almost a sin.
Great video !!! Thank You, Sir! Everything mentioned was spot on. I am a 56 year old guitarist and have been frustrated with these things for a long time. Keep jamming!
I worked at an electronics store back in the 1980’s, selling vcr’s, CD players, etc. One day I’m talking to a guy about a VCR and he mentions that he is a musician, trumpet player. I mentioned something about the Beatles and he kinda flipped out on me. Through swollen red cheeks he verbally exploded on me about how Elvis killed the need for musicians and The Beatles really finished off what was left. He said before Elvis a good musician was in the union and could count on certain conditions and pay. Electronic music or techno was the final nail in the box. I like practically every genre but I agree that it seems that the output of quality material, that is accessible, is elusive and difficult to find.
I did the top 40 circuit in Vancouver in the 80's. There were top 40 bands like Browser Moon and Guy Jones making 5k a week. (The entire band, not each) The Sam Feldman agency kept us in gigs. What a magical time. As tough as it was to walk away, I'm glad I did. The window closed and it's almost impossible to make a living playing music.
You could see a major act for $10-15 in the 80’s because they could make money selling records and merch. In those days the band got all the merch money. Now the venue takes a percentage and Spotify pays peanuts. They have to charge more for a ticket.
I feel ya brotha, there's nothing we can do. Technology advances humanity and humans abuse it. Analog tapes and vinyl records replaced by digital CD's, Napster and now downloads. No more DJ's playing new music, but one person playing pre-recorded programs. No large guitar amps, now little amps running thru PA's to color your sound. Drummers replaced by sampled beats, horns and basses replaced by VST sounds, etc, etc.. Miles Davis said it years ago, "Jazz is Dead," and he tried to revamp that part of music, but now there are no Jazz stations, after hour Jam Clubs and few venues and fewer concerts. Same thing is happening to rock music. Don't forget, during the disco era, a lot of groups were dropped and automation used and the record companies ( corporate executives) wanted to keep the same sound for every group!
I have taught and played music for 35 years. I have done my part paying it forward. I have also played a million gigs over the years. I just posted an ad on Craigslist 'looking to jam' yesterday. We will see what happens. All I know is music. Music has been very good to me. And, it still rewards me daily. I have recorded nearly two hundred songs that are on all of the platforms. Streaming is the death of the industry. Long tail marketing is the culprit. We all get world weary with age. We have done it all and seen it all. We are in the fourth quarter of the game. Then, it's over.
what part of US are you in for craislist jam? gigs should just flow naturally.. not have to put a knife in someones back and then trick a group of peers, step on their back to get a cover gig at a bar for $50... it should be easy to get a cheap gig. not sure how we got here.
I saw the beginning of the end in the late 90's. Bar gigs that we used to get for 400-600.00 a night, and split 3-4, sometimes 5 ways, started getting replaced by a karaoke host charging 150.00 a night. Times were changing too. Anybody could get up on stage, and 'be a star' for a song or two. And their friends would laugh at them, and have a good time. Others took it real serious, like they were 'rising stars'. Karaoke pros..ugh. Like fking dart players, with the blinky hats, and award pins. It went downhill from there..
I had the privilege of playing and gigging with some old timers in an original blues band for about 10 years. These guys saw the last of the 60s and 70s where you could tour and make a good living as a working musician. They had great stories. Then it all ended when the music houses all closed across the country. Our harmonica player ended up homeless. He was taken in, got clean and ended up a reverend. Great man. The guys still play around Northern California at addiction recovery groups, biker club events and little festivals. They’re called Crimson Blues. Some older members have moved on and news guys filled their shoes. Before that many of the guys were in the Good News Blues, great guys, miss them.
Right on bro. I started watching old videos because they still move me emotionally, which is what music is suppose to do. There's still some good bands today i.e. Band of Heathens, The Dead South. you just have to search it out. But, you're right about the cost of seeing live music.
I think you nailed it by describing most of the music today as being garbage. The only time I listen to the radio is when I am driving. And when I do, it's only the classic stuff from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and some 90's. More and more, I find myself just enjoying the silence, turning the tunes on only to stay awake. If I were to listen to the music of today, I would risk driving through the gaurd rails of a tall bridge just to get away from the assault on my ears.
It's sad to see the classic good old rock and rollers die off not to be replaced! So glad to have grown up that generation when they go I will be also!
I've played guitar in cover bands for 30+ years, started playing in high school back in the early 80's when my mom & dad bought me my first guitar. My best friend/co-guitarist passed away about 8 years ago and I couldn't bring myself to play for several years afterwards, I don't know what it is but it just knocks the life out of you (how else to explain it?) when you lose someone that close who you've been playing with for so long, I mean we played as a unit, he knew exactly what I was gonna play at any given point and vice-versa, you probably know what I mean. Anyways, I've been playing again lately, just jamming to my favorite 100 songs or so using headphones and playing along with the tracks on the PC, it's amazing how good it feels to play along with a band, even if it's just a recording and it feels great to work on the guitar collection and get them all back in shape. I'll put an old farts (band name? lol) golden oldies top 40 band together pretty soon and try to get some gigs but you know what, if we just have to play in the basement for our own enjoyment that's enough for me. A band is like a family, and at this stage of life, the more family you got the better. And I know you know what I'm saying when I tell you that there's no replacement for the satisfaction of playing your instrument well along with a group of others doing the same and making great music. So I said all that to come to my main point: As long as the music feels good to play it's never going to die, there are always going to be natural musicians and some of them will find their talent and use it. All this techno-fakery garbage they pass for music now has no soul, it's cold, manufactured, mechanical, uninspired, and has no emotion, feeling or groove behind it. Things work in cycles, bands and musicianship will come back, maybe not soon, but eventually. Love your videos Brad, Happy Holidays and rock on.
even in big cities like manchester in the uk there is barely anywhere to play live anymore, and only really one serious music shop left in the town centre, there used to be at least 10 shops and a huge culture surrounding them, I often wonder where many of those people went and where they are now, I started playing live around 20-25 years ago, it was a different world for sure then.
Turning 30 soon and I can tell some are wondering when I’ll get a real job but this is the path I chose. I want to be a pro musician more than anything. Barely know what Im doing so i wonder if i should find a coach, but Im happy to embrace the struggle.
You’re absolutely on point bro. I’ve been lucky enough to find a circuit where live music is still important, but the profit margins are really thin and the temptation to use tracks, loops etc looms large. I’m from the old school and believe live music is live music and people come out to see a band more than hear a band. I still haul around tube amps and give people their money’s worth, if only that I’m too stubborn to do otherwise.
@ sometimes you’re lucky enough that the venue has a back line, but most of the time they don’t. I got burnt a few times with shitty back line/ rental amps, so I’m dragging amps out wherever I play usually. It’s part of the deal
Man this vid is so spot on. I feel bad for the kids as well. UA-cam etc just isn’t real music and so few of the young ones will ever develop the skill sets we all have by cutting our teeth live and playing under pressure in the studios where time was money. It’s sad to see musicians relegated to just sitting at a desk in a makeshift home studio reviewing gear or pretty much anything but playing real music with other musicians.Maybe a church gig once a week. I’m still lucky. Here in Thailand live music and studio recording is still huge so I can play whenever I want. Sure the pay isn’t much but that’s not what drives me anymore. I play just to play and I’m glad I can still get out there and do it at 65.
You're preaching at the choir @ 65 I had my turn in music and did well . I even got on a few UA-cam Nashville videos and was a rep for a steel guitar company. Music is in a dull state of mind.
I had a sense of real music dying back in 1983, having spent my teen years in the 70's but in truth it has to do partly with big dollar promotion as well as cultural shifts. Artistry still lives and always will live, whether it be in books, paintings, sculpture, or the performing arts, but public awareness and its consumption by said public will wax and wane according to social and economic trends. Eventually I discovered bands from the mid-80's and later in whose music I found artistry but a lot of it was accidental, like listening to a public radio station in the wee hours of the morning. Key thing was that, and still is, big business only promotes certain styles and trends that provide the greatest yield for their investment -
Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, etc are alive & well in Japan, led by the all-female bands. Japan has a healthy & robust music scene with countless talented musicians & bands. Here are a few of the excellent all-fema!e bands: Band-Maid, Nemophila, LoveBites, Bridear, Aldious, Mary'sBlood, Paradoxx, Ark Royal, Little Lilith, Nek!, The Frail, Hades, Sirius, Paleneo, Risky Melody, Full Moon, Mellow, Emanon, Market Shop Store, Exist Trace, Lumirise, and too many more to list. So if you're searching for excellent kickass music, look east to the land of the rising sun.
Everyone should be looking at the Japanese music scene, and start doing what they do. Practice, Practice, Practice, those bands work on work on music 8 hours a day everyday and it shows. All notch players. Many venues seem to have the ability to stream shows that can be free or paid increasing their audience. They work the social media always something. They give everything they got at concerts nobody is phoning it in. They play, perform and write with passion.
I played music for a living in the late 70’s early 80’s. Got married and had kids and got a career. But I still always played my guitar, and did some recording here and there. Now, I’m retired and play music with a group of other retired dudes. We only play every other weekend, but we are booked all the way until New Years 2026. We play danceable 70’-80’ radio hits, with some newer stuff thrown in. But it’s all dancable stuff. There’s nothing more fun than playing to a full dance floor. Keeps us young, we make a couple hundred bucks apiece, and we get to play music!
Hopefully some of the old veteran musicians all over the U S can keep the older real music alive and maybe some younger musicians can keep the older real music alive great video thanks for posting and take care.
Played the clubs for 20 years during the hay days and the downfall until 2008 until a health problem sidelined me . Had some fantastic times . These days just studio work and creating for my channel playing all instruments is my new gig . LOL Enjoyed your video thanks CAMCURSE . RnR forever
Brad, I spent from 1995 thru 2013 writing in Nashville on a part time, semi professional basis, and had expense deals and no recoup clauses in my song contracts, with Acuff/Rose, Sony, and later on, Universal. I was blessed to have some cuts on some records with Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, and Travis Tritt. One of my main writing partners and good buddy was Casey Beathard. He was absolutely on fire as a writer, in the 2000’s and 2010’s and who I wrote the most with, but also wrote with Dan Demay, and some with Glenn Ashworth, Dana Sigmon, Michael Heeney, Rivers Rutherford, Jeremy Spellman, and Jim Beavers. All of them great guys and fantastic writers. I didn’t know if you had ever done work for, or crossed paths with any of them? Most of the demoes I had done, were at Omnisound, American, and The Armory. The level of musicianship in those studio bands we’d bring in, was jaw dropping! I wouldn’t take anything for my time there, but I watched Nashville and the biz itself change, drastically in the 18 years I was going there, to write. That’s why I understood, when you said you were leaving Nashville, for Florida. I live in Georgia. Wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! Thanks for these great videos you’re doing!
@@chb8037 No. I wasn’t gigging up there. I was writing songs with the publishing companies I mentioned. But when people quit buying albums, there was far less incentive to continue signing publishing deals. Songwriters don’t hardly make squat now, on streaming platforms. Radio used to be the driving force in country, but now is greatly diminished. I still write and record. Like many others now, I have my own little studio in my house. Partially financed by the songs I had recorded. So I can’t complain, at all. God blessed me to get the songs recorded that I did, and make the friends that I did, some of whom I still have. I was gigging steadily where I live, here in Middle Georgia, with my duo partner in a guitar duo, until Covid hit. Now he and I have new grandchildren and I had sick parents to take care of, who just recently passed away. Many of the places we were playing, did away with live music, even after everything opened back up. Kinda like what Brad was talking about. Now, I’m just playing in our band at Church, and am very content just doing that, although I’m sure I haven’t played my last gig. It’s in my blood, too much, lol!
@@badbrad Just like any other circle in Nashville, you have to pay your dues, to break in. I wrote from 92 to 95, just sending songs where I could, until I got some open doors and started meeting people. You did great there though! From watching your videos, it looks like you had all the work you could handle, and then some. You were blessed, in the side of the biz that you were in, both in Hollywood, and Nashville.
Sucks that real musicians are taking the back seat while these manufactured electronic pop posers are shoved to the front... When I am forced to hear the modern shi*e . it truly makes me cringe. Its done on purpose to decay society.. IMO
Brad ... Guys our age have become our grandparents talking about the good old days. All the great NYC music clubs I grew up in and saw so many bands are long gone. It's sad. At least we still have our live albums from a distant age to enjoy ... Live at Leeds, Band of Gypsys, Kick Out the Jams, Made in Japan, At Budokan, etc. ... the list is endless. But I'd rather have fond memories of the past than no memories at all. It makes witnessing the Swifties inheriting the earth much easier to accept.
It's all entertainment, not just music. Originality is discouraged. Wait until they start feeding us a.i. artists or start releasing 'new' music from dead artists.
Cost of housing/living, lack of support, lack of venues for up and coming acts, and live sound engineers not knowing what they're doing cut the life out of the music scene. My band had to sell tickets and was only able to get out family and friends, also the booker would make us play Thursday nights. It was hard to convince even friends to show up because who wants to spend $10 for a drink and drive out to a venue that's 45 mins away? Sound guys would bring decibel meters and make you set your amp so quietly you could hear your own strummed strings. If you disobeyed you'd never play their venue again. On top of that you've got 3 other guys trying to go to school, work jobs, have families, and build their lives so they don't end up homeless. I read in Keith Richards' book the Stones would walk around collecting pop bottles in their free time to pay their $100/month rent for their flat and play music the rest of the time. It's just a totally different time now.
Music is magical! Thankfully we have a ton of music recorded, but it isn't like a live show. I used to go to shows all the time, like every weekend, and I used to guitar tech for my guitar teacher when he had gigs, that was fun also.
This whole trend of the end of live music has been getting worse for the last 20 years but here in L.A., I am in Burbank , since Covid you are right there is NO real live music venues…in Burbank really none. No less than 3 places I use to play never reopened after Covid., just horrible. In the south Bay of L.A . There are still live music bars which pay something but in the Valley ….0. Not even buskers….everybody is staring at their phones…I think a lot of folks actually think “live music” is a DJ! Somebody on a laptop….its a rare event to see live music…
Gene helped kill rock by commodifying his own product. I really never heard of anyone “marketing” an artist before KISS set the bar. Now, to be “famous”, you need to dress like a douche, talk like an ass, and talent doesn’t matter if you can sell shirts and Chinese goods from affiliate links.
I have found a few really good current artists. And when they come around, I try to see their live concerts. I’m even trying to see some of the old greats that are still touring. Because I want to do what I can to keep live music a reality. Unfortunately the ticket prices make that too prohibitive in many cases.
Hey brother, great vlog and channel. I’m in VA. Play original music and gig full time (no day gig). There’s also a TON of talented cover bands here who work more than I do. I feel like real music, played by real musicians will always have an audience, and that audience is there for authenticity.
I’ve decided it’s time to give up and do other things in the last couple months after about 15 years of hustling. I think we might see a return in a few years as people get pissed at tech for taking their jobs and want to focus on real human things they have lost… But in the meantime life is just too damn expensive to do this job anymore. I’m going to miss it but at least I got to have the experience.
Here in Jersey channel Islands i have been busking since the sniffles bug came and they locked down.....ruined bussinesses.....ruined people s mental health.... to get some light and enjoyment on the streets as it was so damn depressing! Learned to uni cycle this year, play guitar and sing whilst riding, which spreads alot of JOY....WONDER.....SMILES.....and INSPIRES others.I am hoping other musicians here will do the same, learn to ride a unicycle whilst they play their instrument,would love to see a violinist!!!!! All the best man.
Firstly they've taken music out of schools so kids don't even know if they would be interested in music the groups I've seen it's unbelievable when I think back Emerson Lake and Palmer ,Jethro Tull ,Zappa ,Poco ,. Young Willie Nelson, asleep at the wheel ..the list goes on and on and I never paid more than $10 for any of the tickets. I played acoustic music through the 70s as a Duo and we made some pretty good money at the beginning of Buffett I learned all his songs and move to Lauderdale if you walked into a club and said you played Buffett you were golden
Hope is not lost! Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers have led a wave of 20-something's into real music. A young couple here in Atlanta have had a taste of the big time and are opening for their heroes because Zach Bryan saw them online and helped them get exposure. Americana and folk rock are where today's real players and singers are.
Interesting topic of choice. I live in OC CA. This disappearing train started going away about 6 or 7 years ago. I liked going to see original band concerts that were often reasonably priced I might add, and also watching Top 40 live rock bands playing rock and popular music from the ages every wknd with my GF. It once was a very vibrant scene!!! IT'S disappearance is a combination of different factors that changed the scene but of all the changes, I think modern rock/rock radio drying up definitely played a passive part role because Top 40 would often play current songs in 1 of there 3-4 sets to keep it interesting for the audience and the band. When I've gone out post covid (even though it's still around lurking to jump on you) I notice that it has become an older age scene when I do go out to the rare place that has a LIVE band. To make a quick analogy I'll use a sports team as an example. Take a 5 man basketball team in which someone leaves the team or retires but these days there is no new blood, college player, or whoever to join and replace them so they have a 5 man squad again! This factor is a bit more passive but over time it absolutely has contributed to the slow death of the live music and the LIVE rock scene. Like you said, younger people don't even know and most likely the music that they gravitated to or have been exposed to is not this kind of music. I find it difficult to discover new good rock. Most likely, I wouldn't suspect that most young people in their 20s or 30s would know of or be aware of the twists and turns of the storied history of RNR music or been exposed to it. I have to say this because it was the back drop of this great musicthat inspired the different styles of rock songs I wrote that we play on our new record. Rock was so important to me in my life and so sometimes I just recognize how lucky I was to be around to discover and be exposed to all this great music initially by The Beatles all the way up to what was going on in the early 2000's. A young guy asked me at work last week where I go out? I still look pretty good for my age and I told him that I don't go out much anymore and then I said that I used to see live music just about every wknd and now a lot of that is scene is gone or it's luck of the draw perhaps such as some group of aging rockers playing a set filled with "classic rock hits." Not complaining and still better than NOTHING! I've checked out some local bars or clubs and many of the new scenes seems to be young people armed with their phones (I generally never even would bring my phone in a club to hear a band back in the day) playing some recorded music I don't care for with 20 TV's broadcasting video with the sound turned off of whatever and a maybe a DJ or not. I have an original rock band and produced a soon to be released recording that's a 30 song triple record in length. The newest problem I'm facing with that off topic is how the BS distribution companies you supposedly need to get your music streaming hit you up with a yes/no legal agreement in order to use their services to put your music onto social media platform. The platform also requires a 2nd yes/no legal agreement at the onset as well. And now they want the right to use your music in perpetuity to train their AI and screw you or profit off your music. The end game is to eventually de-value your music even more and eliminate the need of licensing agreements or whatever so they wouldn't have to pay you to use your music. Down the line, some businesses can use AI to create something close that might sound like your music but ultimately won't have to pay a content creator for usage or LIKENESS to your music. They are all very corrupt agreements AND equally or worse as when record labels ruled essentially acting as brokers of a bad bank loan who would then legally leverage the rights to a song but also take advantage of talented music creators other ways who they signed back in the day. This was when you needed them to get your music recorded and released properly. Then they stopped signing new bands to development deals and that is another factor that killed rock. As you know, record labels could just as easily ruin your career after locking musicians or bands into a bad contract. In fact labels successfully destroyed many careers even if you landed what you thought was a fair "dream record deal!" Long story short, it is my conclusion that it's in my best interests to hire an entertainment law firm in the know just to help protect our music and build out our own independent record label to protect our interests. NO CHOICE or definitely leave money on the table for someone else and then be screwed without any recourse. Now all I need is the money to pay for this protection. LOL!
when I was growing up I went to skyriver rock festival, there were bands playing in a park somewhere pretty much every weekend for tips, and the big names would come thru town and you could afford to see them, now you have to hunt to find any live Music , and its so much different , Rick Beato did a show on modern music being produced, one song had one singer, there were 3 words in the song that had 18 writers and 15 producers im guessing on those numbers but they arnt far off
I get it... I'm 58 and been playing live (and still do) over 40 years now... Yes, Covid did a HUGE number on live music, however, what I have found (at least in my area) is that the trick isn't trying to play for everyone. The hard truth is only a handful of kids under 30 will have any interest in your band. The move is to play for the 50+ crowd. They still enjoy live music. Play early gigs and you will draw a decent crowd. Leave the nightlife to the youngsters and their music. The other option for the old school late gigs (like 9-1am) is to play biker bars. They appreciate live music. It's a tough gig (late nights now are no fun) but this is where the live music still lives - biker bars and older crowds earlier int he evening. It's not like it was in the 80's or 90's, but if you play to the right audience, live music is not dead.
Hey man, you just gotta keep on playing doesn’t matter if I had to think about all the sad shit. My life would be pathetic. Those days are over man I miss them I’m in my 60s bro just keep playing man
My dad was a WWII vet and a swing band enthusiast. He used to tell me the same things, different context, about how music was changing much to his dismay. Sadly times change, for good or bad. So what to do? How do we as spiritual beings grow and thrive in these changing times? You have to turn inside, meditation, expand your consciousness. The Universe is pushing you (us) to what we need to grow as spiritual beings
Yessir, I learn, something i listened to to this morning living in the woods , Lady luck,and Great White Buffalo from tooth,fang,and claw by Ted and the dukes,then bottomless hole from handsome family. Thanks for uplifting.
Radio was great for me in the 80s. Great stations in Wisconsin. But they did repeat a lot. But there were cool programs late at night and on the weekends. What soured me on all things radio was when I got a new car several years ago, it had the whole satellite deal. I noticed rather quickly most of those stations repeated songs even worse than terrestrial radio. That’s when I began to record my own songs in earnest. Unless my wife is with me, I blast only my own songs. I even have a few fans at work! Ha! And playing out? I stopped when my boys started high school. Quit drinking too. I went to jam night a while back…..that was fun. It is a bummer for young musicians. It’s been dying for a long time. The heyday for live music was the entire 70s through early 90s. Slowly dying away……makes me sad.
I'm loving on a band right now called, Starcrawler, you may have heard of them they're from L A, if this was the 90s they would be selling out arenas, but they are playing small gigs, they said when they are off the road they have to get jobs, it's ridiculous, as good as they are, they should be on top of the world, but they are giving rock and roll a new life, Starcrawler Rock's ❤️
Yeah I like that band. Interesting and edgy. I actually did a response video to their I love LA song mine is called I hate L.A. the artist is Stone Padre.
@tomtoss2463 I got a guitar pick from Henri, Arrow came over and gave me a fist bump, I had the chance to talk to all of them outside before the show, Henri put me on the list, I got in free, against the stage, what a epic night, STARCRAWLER ROCK'S ❤️
Man I think you’ve hit the nail n the head here with Ai. I’m a professor at a medium-sized college way up here in Washington state. I teach graphic design in an art department, and we are already having to make big decisions about Ai and its impact on our profession. And the thing is, that train has already left the station. I fear it will eventually take over and turn all the designers I educate into just prompt-generators. It’s sad and unfortunate. And to change the subject to some of what you are talking about here - garbage music, high priced concerts, etc. What is your opinion about an artist like Taylor Swift? Musicians aren’t all cut from the same cloth, so I’m curious of your thoughts. I’m with you on how to handle it - pull up songs from the past. It’s the same for me. Yesterday during my workout I listened to an entire live Jimi Jamison show. The day before that it was Journey Raised on Radio opening show in Philly. The day before that it was Triumph live in ‘83 at the US festival. If you haven’t seen that, check it out on youtube!
I tell my wife all The time that the two of us playing music together is preserving a dying art. We play mostly for our own enjoyment but occasionally play for the family or at weddings. Just acoustic guitar and vocals it’s fun to play songs we like. After trying to play lead guitar for decades I now get the most enjoyment from strumming simple songs and singing with my wife. It’s truly enjoyable
Brad, dude...said it here before. Current situation here in Grand Rapids, MI is good. A decent band can play 5 nights a week. It's not all glamorous venues, but a few are. Mix it in with the club halls, suburb bars, corporate gigs, and summer festivals and the calander gets full. Youngsters on the dance floor every night too. The pendulum will swing our way. Come on up bud, we got a spot for ya!
Hi Brad. I can relate to everything that you've said here. I'm from that same era and age group with decades of gigs. Top 40 band gigs. It was a wonderful time. Back then there weren't as many digital distractions and you had to pay for music which made you value and appreciate it much more. The thing is, up here in WI there are tons of top 40 bands and gigs, though not as many as there once were. I remain hopeful, through all the weirdness. What's REAL will be sought out when folks are done with the novelty of AI music. It has no soul. Love watching your videos and take on things. All the best for 2025 man, cheers!
I got away from playing with other people as I got older, keeping after band members was getting too hard. I now play all the parts and record and edit at home. I like it, and am getting a lot done, but it's not the same as being in the thick of a band just playing your part.
When I was 18-19, my band was getting paid 2-3k per night, there were management companies who would book you and provide a truck and a road crew - those were rip-offs, but the demand was there. But all things happen as they were meant to. Everything is just changing, and it will cycle back around again. I will always write and record and put out music and jam with real people, whether there is demand or a scene or not.
Did you ever play at Trax in Charlottesville Virginia? I used to play there all the time in the early 90's. Sadly, it hasn't existed for over two decades.
I'm not giving up on real music. I still play it, still listen to it, still gig, still work on it. Staying close to friends who connect the same way. Thank you Brad for keeping it real and building our community!
Thank you!!!! Keep rocking!
Precisely. There is only going to be more and more love for the bands that do make real music, it will become its own genre soon enough, organic humans with limitations made music as oppose to Ai everything.
Balance is everything. I have been a musician for 55 years, playing four instruments, but unsuccessful in the eyes of the world, but I have enjoyed the journey. I find great reward in knowing I am far more skilled than when I started. I balanced this hobby with a manufacturing business I created and love doing that equally, but not for as long as my music, which never gets old. The company made a financially secure life for us where the music never would have. Balance is everything.
I'm a 66 year old gigging bass player since I was 12. I've seen the music business and America go down the shitter. So sad to see what has happened to America and to real music.
Social media killed bars and outlets. No bars no gigs.
I can easily say that out of the dozen bars that regularly had bands around me growing up....MAYBE 2 are left. MAYBE.
Too bad people weren't smart enough to figure out how to play music for people who don't want to be alcoholics. Perhaps alcoholics want entertain
The bad recession of '08 and then later, the covid lockdowns is what wiped the bars & restaurant lounges out.......NOT "social media". It was the 1-2 punch. However, the internet did kill the record industry. No more record stores. That bad recession took out many of the bars, clubs & restaurants......never to re-open again. And then the covid lockdowns finished off those that remained. I'm 63 yrs old & a lifelong musician/singer. I gigged hard for 2 decades. I was there. I know.
MADD killed bars and outlets, mothers against drunk drivers. One drink and your in trouble
MADD was a big part
The other thing about real live music that people don't seem to get today - The natural high one gets when the band is locked in and the soundman has it dialed in to perfection - no drug in the world or big paycheck can ever compete with that feeling. We didn't play for the money, it was for the "art". I was blessed to be a part of the 80s rock scene and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. I say all the time to people: If you want me to see your band and you can't play without your laptop, don't bother me, it's not true live music. I be hearing your messge Preacher Brad and I am right there with you! Rock On!
@sams2960 Right before the first chords. Its all about the red lights on the amps, and that hum from all of the watts just waiting to be unleashed.
Amen
The truth everyone else is afraid to say. Thank you for speaking it.
Thank you for listening.
Yep one Joe bonamassa and 755,000 people trying to be him. Look mom somebody wearing a Stevie Ray Vaughan hat with a Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar playing Stevie Ray Vaughan licks.
My first rock concert in 1977 was REO Speedwagon, $5 in advance, $6 day of show. We would leave as soon as high school let out and go in my 1972 Chevy Rally Nova with my 6"x9" Jenson tri-axials blasting away to Foghat or who was popular at the time, along with the bongs and whatever else we had. We would get in line as early as possible to be the first let in to run to the closest seats available to the stage. General Admission. The first time the crowd at the stadium would go crazy was at 7:14 pm, you got to be old like me to know why. Then the first band would perform and when the lights would come on at intermission, you could hardly see the other side of the stadium due to all the pot smoke in the air. Some of the best times of my life and gone forever into the dustbin of history.
We're still in the bars on open stage night writing our own songs and playing to whoever listens
Right on.
I think the overall passion for music is waning. Makes you wonder what really moves people these days.
I hear ya.
Those crazy Japanese cartoons.. and pornography.
their phones SMH esp in China they barely look up when walking sad
@@jimboiy454 Those crazy Japanese cartoons...
Surviving.
No country for old men! I feel the same way at 63
The computer age has changed everything, and its barely begun. From Napster to AI look how far we've come in 20 years.
That sucks. 😂
Nothing even came close to finding new music than Napster, I was buying 8-10 CD's a week at the peak of Napster. The majors hated it, it gave the small bands a new pipeline to an audience. UA-cam has been a distant second, I find about 1 new band a week. Radio is the worst of all, music picked by accountants. The streaming services about as bad.
I'm 63... last of the boomers... last of the 5 night a week bar band guys... I miss those days, but I'm not bitter... to be fair, the scene was dying long before covid... I kept it up until covid... since then, I've done nothing except original instrumental music... finding players our age is another thing... and... my genre is not exactly a hot thing... And tribute bands just piss me off... I've played every song that was a rock hit from 1970 till 2018... Metallica to Steely Dan... and can't live in the past.
But I persevere, because I must...
😊PLAY EVERY DAY.
your a joneser not a boomer
Same age as me. I love all the old music, rock, prog, reggae. But there's a ton of good modern music around, too. You have to find it though. I spend many happy hours following recommendation chains on Soundcloud and Spotify. As well as all the old music, there's plenty of trip hop, lo-fi I listen to, too. And then what about world music? So much amazing music from latin america, africa etc. My guess is that most who say "all modern music is bad" make no effort to investigate it. And as for live music, still plenty of good gigs around. Mind you - the prices!!! 😪 Seems way more expensive in real terms than 30 - 40 years ago. Bands like Genesis/Rush etc, the prices wasn't an issue even for a student/teenager. But now , I'm far better off, but baulk at the prices name bands want. Perhaps thats as much why live music is dying? (though judging by the speed of sell outs even at extortionate prices, I'm not convinced it's dying anyway)
Metallica and Steely Dan do not belong in the same sentence. Steely Dan is about actual music. Metallica, even at their 1980s best, is about ego.
It started earlier than covid, with DJs sampling already recorded music and the kids prefer DJs to live music
That didn’t help.
Thank you for posting this! It is very important for others to see this type of content. It really needs to be said. I always watch your videos till the very end and leave with a smile on my face. That is because you just might teach one person about authenticity and that one person might end up keeping music REAL and ALIVE! Your words have value, thank you so much for sharing them.
Thanks, I appreciate that.
Couldn't have said it better myself man! Keep on rockin in the Free world 🎸
Thank you.
Funny how all those Boss pedals from the 80’s are still some of the best ever made
Certainly the most durable.
I'm retired now, and have been building a recording studio in my garage building. Whether I use it for just refining older ideas I had or recording a new album by an old dude (me). The statement that we still have a fire in us to continue making music some way or the other, is so true. The urge never leaves us. My Grandmother played violin and even in her 80's she would still call all of her many grandkids to play happy birthday over the phone for us. It was all the more touching when you could hear her struggle to play all the notes cleanly. Will never forget it. Thanks Grandma...See you soon!
Man that is poignant moment.
despite what I'd heard all my life, my creativity blossomed after 60 and still going.
@@clayton56tube That is awesome!
I stopped listening to radio decades ago
I hear ya.
Same songs everyday. It doesn't have to be that way.
Radio has been horrible forever. Real music fans listen to albums not radio friendly singles.
Corporate radio ruined it. Here in Cincinnati it’s the same songs, every day, on every station.
@@CelestialWoodwayThe majority of people are not true music fans. The bulk of ticket sales of even huge Rock bands are not purchased by true music fans. If it wasnt for the circus like curiosity the majority has for bands these huge successful tours wouldnt be anywhere near the mega draws they are.
Happy Sunday,
Yes sir. Im 52 and have been known to keep a party going by performing different genres of music. I love when everyone sings the songs with me. What a GREAT feeling. Ive always been an above average vocalists with middle of the road guitar skills.....but I love performing in front of people, no better feeling. In the 80,s, 90's and early 2000's, it seemed like my friends and I were watching a live band every weekend. There were SO many quality bands, both national and local bands that played at 1 of many local venues. Technology has stripped the quality out of the musicians. I dont mind some small backing tracks, but the live show MUST be live, not track's......Nothing better than watching 4-5 musicians play so well together that its magical on stage.
CHEERS to ALL
Last night i was going through some old clippings of my band gigs in the 80's-90's and it was amazing to see. You really could play 5 nights a week. Usually a tue-wed at one bar and thur-sat at another. There were SO many bands back then, but also SO many places to play in the Minnesota scene. Great times! I wish that would come back for the young people who wanna play. Great video!😋
Yup.....except for maybe Sunday thru maybe Tuesday.....there was a party every night. Cheap beer night...payday night (thurs)....ladies nights (do those even exist anymore?)....only a handful of live clubs left compared to when I was a young man.
We were booked 3 to 5 weeks straight as a house band... then on to the next house gig... it was a circuit that could be 300 dates a year... then it went to weekends... then it went to one nighters... then covid... I said f*** it, and have done nothing but original instrumental rock... got a great bassist... still looking for a local drummer... agism and nostalgia are a thing I don't subscribe to.
Us old guys no longer need the spotlight, the late nights, and the questionable behaviors. If you're a real musician, you never stop evolving and growing your craft. You are constantly looking to broaden your horizons. If you are lucky enough to continue developing, there does arise a need to share. The occasional intimate gig thus becomes a kind of nourishment for the soul. It's the inability to find such an opportunity that causes the frustration, and makes one question their will to keep going with music. What I've also come to enjoy is modding budget instruments. I've got a parts drawer from hell, and am a J-bass guy. I've got a Fender hi-mass bridge coming today for a FSR instrument that I gifted myself (the last birthday had a zero in the age). I wonder if that bass will ever get a gig baptism. My 2020 stimulus special still awaits the opportunity. I tell myself that I am building a legacy. Both grandpas of the grandkids are retired gigging bassists. The other one came from a more Latin direction. We get along famously at family events, delving in to gig war stories. The oldest grand is 12. It won't be long now. The modded Squier Jag will be ready for the day in March. He can learn on the medium scale for a little while; the teen growth spurt has begun. Before we know it, the HS football coach will be salivating over an OL prospect. A full J-bass would be just fine for him, but his mom already plays my G&L P-bass. I can see his gigging journey begin with that one. We just have to make sure that there will be enough gigs to keep things alive until they can explode into mainstream popularity once again.
I hear you loud and clear. I like having those projects as well.
Well I just played my first gig with my band last night. I believe a wave of authenticity is coming
Awesome...glad to hear it!
Congratulations
its needed for sure...
this is good news @Nik.No.K. I agree w/ what you say is coming
I here on nyc, as tough as it is to survive, I still busting my ass to form my own band, we just found bassist, finally hope to gig in Kan. Febuary
7:30 so true man, this exact thing has kept me from wanting to put myself out there and now I'm realizing that it's totally different doing it in front of real people. Lol
I Hear Brad!But Still nuthin Like Organic Music!😮Some How We Will Keep This Allways Alive and Allways Kickin Ass!Take care Brad!And Keep on ROCKIN,MAN!😊❤!
Brad,
Love your channel and discussions. Couldn’t agree more about the state of music today. Recently I thought I’d get back into music and bought drums to get going again. During my process of getting up to speed it dawned on me how things are so much different today. The venues don’t exist, the genres are all messed up, people are even different. I don’t want to play in a room alone after doing gigs for so long. So I hung it up, again. So disappointing.
Your video today is spot on. Keep up what you’re doing. You make sense of what’s going on.
Thank you for tuning in. Together we can work through this.
I feel the same, additionally there's no safe distribution model with radio backing it anymore to facilitate music, the internet killed the industry.
Agree completely. I played those 6 night a week gigs in the 90's. After 40 years of slugging it out as a sideman, on the road and playing regionally, I retired from it last New Years Eve. Played every gig. Learned every song. Was on time and my gear was ready to go. I do not miss it truthfully. We ARE a dying breed. Not everyone got to do what we got to do. To those of you still out there, I get it. Rock on. Thank you for these videos Brad, you are speaking the truth.
Man thank you for sharing your story, I believe it helps us to talk through it.
@ agreed. Thank you for the videos, it is great to know that someone else has been there.
Amen brother. When younger couples are out and looking at their phones instead of enjoying each other’s company, you know we’ve got a problem. Attention span, cost of living are all factors. But music does seem to find a way. Late 70s thank God Van Halen came along. Early 90s Nirvana broke thru. When kids compare earlier stuff it always smokes current crap so maybe we’re due for another round. I’ve played on the same stage as Van Halen and also played joints with sawdust on the floor to collect vomit. I’m grateful for a good run but miss the old days too. Remember doings gigs w no pay but you were happy?
Dude, this is exactly the I’ve been on for the past 10+ years wow
Just letting you know, I understand. Nice to hear you today Brad you’re cool brother.
Thank you!
I have 125 original albums out on bandcamp, playing all the instruments, on a tascam 24 track studio. I’m overdressed for the party, for sure, and maybe I have more albums than fans, but that can always be turned around, and I sound like me, and if the hype machine ever happens, I got truth in my music I can stand behind. In the meantime, to survive I teach and I play corporate events solo and weddings and boomer tunes in resort areas. Not what I ever imagined when I was filled with hopes and dreams as a young talent, but when I came up I could imagine the big artists were people I could stand to be in a room with. Now I wouldn’t want to be around the hitmakers, sorry. At least I can still stand myself, and other hard working local musicians I admire. I still sound like me and I get the sounds in my head down on the recordings. Music is a great journey and we are all blessed, but not necessarily valued.
Problem is the cell phone killed music, instant gratification with no effort, video games as well. I spoke to a guy who owned a music shop, he said a 14 yr old kid came in with his mother super keen to learn guitar, within 3 weeks his mom tried to see the guitar back and said her son had given up because he couldn't solo like Eric clapton after a fortnight, ha, straight back to staring at the phone
Old ladies watching too LOL. Gen X has a unique perspective because we know what it was like before the internet became the bloated misery it is today plus we grew as young adults along with the technology when it was introduced. We've been on both sides of this. These kids who grew up with internet have no idea what they are missing in terms of soul, consciousness development, and how much brain-rot it causes when you are glued to devices.. AI will be come really really boring without fresh input!! I do think some youngsters feel or will feel something is missing, and they will be seeking the kind of advice you are providing.
I appreciate you watching. Yes us Gen xers have a unique perspective. Will be interesting to see how it plays out....
In the 70s and 80s a top 40 band could make good bread in Atlanta just playing the Holiday Inn circuit around the perimeter of the city. ,6 days a week ...That is long gone.
Those gigs were fun....everybody dancing, watching the lounge lizards on the prowl.
@badbrad ,the sad thing is those bands were making 100 dollars a man per night then.....and here now 40 years later dudes will be playing for the same 100 dollars somewhere tonight.....100 was real money in the 70s and 80s though....plus playing 5 or 6 nights a week it was real money....today guys are not working that many nights a week, so that 100 is just gas money.
We only got a hundred for a wedding or a party. Bars were 50 a night, later thought we,d get 100 when we could pack the house and work the crowd to by drinks
In 1975 we were playing 6 nites/wk from 9:30pm to 3:30am, for $100 per man. Plus we were putting 1/2 the gross into a pool to pay for recording. We played covers and originals. I had so much FUN! It was almost a sin.
100 dollars a night in Atlanta? Price has goin’ up!
Great video !!! Thank You, Sir! Everything mentioned was spot on. I am a 56 year old guitarist and have been frustrated with these things for a long time. Keep jamming!
Thanks for watching. I appreciate it!
Real music will continue for the evolved. All others will fall.
I worked at an electronics store back in the 1980’s, selling vcr’s, CD players, etc.
One day I’m talking to a guy about a VCR and he mentions that he is a musician, trumpet player. I mentioned something about the Beatles and he kinda flipped out on me. Through swollen red cheeks he verbally exploded on me about how Elvis killed the need for musicians and The Beatles really finished off what was left. He said before Elvis a good musician was in the union and could count on certain conditions and pay. Electronic music or techno was the final nail in the box. I like practically every genre but I agree that it seems that the output of quality material, that is accessible, is elusive and difficult to find.
I did the top 40 circuit in Vancouver in the 80's. There were top 40 bands like Browser Moon and Guy Jones making 5k a week. (The entire band, not each) The Sam Feldman agency kept us in gigs. What a magical time. As tough as it was to walk away, I'm glad I did. The window closed and it's almost impossible to make a living playing music.
Thanks!
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You could see a major act for $10-15 in the 80’s because they could make money selling records and merch. In those days the band got all the merch money. Now the venue takes a percentage and Spotify pays peanuts. They have to charge more for a ticket.
I feel ya brotha, there's nothing we can do. Technology advances humanity and humans abuse it. Analog tapes and vinyl records replaced by digital CD's, Napster and now downloads. No more DJ's playing new music, but one person playing pre-recorded programs. No large guitar amps, now little amps running thru PA's to color your sound. Drummers replaced by sampled beats, horns and basses replaced by VST sounds, etc, etc.. Miles Davis said it years ago, "Jazz is Dead," and he tried to revamp that part of music, but now there are no Jazz stations, after hour Jam Clubs and few venues and fewer concerts. Same thing is happening to rock music. Don't forget, during the disco era, a lot of groups were dropped and automation used and the record companies ( corporate executives) wanted to keep the same sound for every group!
I have taught and played music for 35 years. I have done my part paying it forward. I have also played a million gigs over the years. I just posted an ad on Craigslist 'looking to jam' yesterday. We will see what happens. All I know is music. Music has been very good to me. And, it still rewards me daily. I have recorded nearly two hundred songs that are on all of the platforms. Streaming is the death of the industry. Long tail marketing is the culprit. We all get world weary with age. We have done it all and seen it all. We are in the fourth quarter of the game. Then, it's over.
Yep, we’re in the 4th quarter.
Craigslist is pretty rough these days…
Not much there
what part of US are you in for craislist jam? gigs should just flow naturally.. not have to put a knife in someones back and then trick a group of peers, step on their back to get a cover gig at a bar for $50... it should be easy to get a cheap gig. not sure how we got here.
I saw the beginning of the end in the late 90's.
Bar gigs that we used to get for 400-600.00 a night, and split 3-4, sometimes 5 ways, started getting replaced by a karaoke host charging 150.00 a night.
Times were changing too. Anybody could get up on stage, and 'be a star' for a song or two. And their friends would laugh at them, and have a good time. Others took it real serious, like they were 'rising stars'. Karaoke pros..ugh.
Like fking dart players, with the blinky hats, and award pins.
It went downhill from there..
I had the privilege of playing and gigging with some old timers in an original blues band for about 10 years. These guys saw the last of the 60s and 70s where you could tour and make a good living as a working musician. They had great stories. Then it all ended when the music houses all closed across the country. Our harmonica player ended up homeless. He was taken in, got clean and ended up a reverend. Great man. The guys still play around Northern California at addiction recovery groups, biker club events and little festivals. They’re called Crimson Blues. Some older members have moved on and news guys filled their shoes. Before that many of the guys were in the Good News Blues, great guys, miss them.
😢😢😢seems like its next to impossible to find people to jam with even just in a garage setting.
It can be.
I hear you, today most musicians would rather stay home and watch their Netflix shows.
Right on bro. I started watching old videos because they still move me emotionally, which is what music is suppose to do. There's still some good bands today i.e. Band of Heathens, The Dead South. you just have to search it out. But, you're right about the cost of seeing live music.
I hear you on the live music cost.
great vid , i’m so looking for singing on stage and performing my songs and even some other songs that I love it would be so much fun
You can do it!
@ ofc I just gotta believe in my power ❤️
I think you nailed it by describing most of the music today as being garbage. The only time I listen to the radio is when I am driving. And when I do, it's only the classic stuff from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and some 90's. More and more, I find myself just enjoying the silence, turning the tunes on only to stay awake. If I were to listen to the music of today, I would risk driving through the gaurd rails of a tall bridge just to get away from the assault on my ears.
Yeah, I feel the same way about most of the music today.
It's sad to see the classic good old rock and rollers die off not to be replaced! So glad to have grown up that generation when they go I will be also!
As we all will go
@@badbradSo glad to experience the generation I did for sure!
Never give up on the magic of music!!!!
Right on
I've played guitar in cover bands for 30+ years, started playing in high school back in the early 80's when my mom & dad bought me my first guitar. My best friend/co-guitarist passed away about 8 years ago and I couldn't bring myself to play for several years afterwards, I don't know what it is but it just knocks the life out of you (how else to explain it?) when you lose someone that close who you've been playing with for so long, I mean we played as a unit, he knew exactly what I was gonna play at any given point and vice-versa, you probably know what I mean. Anyways, I've been playing again lately, just jamming to my favorite 100 songs or so using headphones and playing along with the tracks on the PC, it's amazing how good it feels to play along with a band, even if it's just a recording and it feels great to work on the guitar collection and get them all back in shape. I'll put an old farts (band name? lol) golden oldies top 40 band together pretty soon and try to get some gigs but you know what, if we just have to play in the basement for our own enjoyment that's enough for me. A band is like a family, and at this stage of life, the more family you got the better. And I know you know what I'm saying when I tell you that there's no replacement for the satisfaction of playing your instrument well along with a group of others doing the same and making great music. So I said all that to come to my main point: As long as the music feels good to play it's never going to die, there are always going to be natural musicians and some of them will find their talent and use it. All this techno-fakery garbage they pass for music now has no soul, it's cold, manufactured, mechanical, uninspired, and has no emotion, feeling or groove behind it. Things work in cycles, bands and musicianship will come back, maybe not soon, but eventually. Love your videos Brad, Happy Holidays and rock on.
Live rock music is going to become history like Vaudville, magic shows and puppet shows.
Wonderful chat!👏👏👏👏
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
even in big cities like manchester in the uk there is barely anywhere to play live anymore, and only really one serious music shop left in the town centre, there used to be at least 10 shops and a huge culture surrounding them, I often wonder where many of those people went and where they are now, I started playing live around 20-25 years ago, it was a different world for sure then.
Man that is wild.
Turning 30 soon and I can tell some are wondering when I’ll get a real job but this is the path I chose. I want to be a pro musician more than anything. Barely know what Im doing so i wonder if i should find a coach, but Im happy to embrace the struggle.
A coach could help….
You’re absolutely on point bro. I’ve been lucky enough to find a circuit where live music is still important, but the profit margins are really thin and the temptation to use tracks, loops etc looms large. I’m from the old school and believe live music is live music and people come out to see a band more than hear a band. I still haul around tube amps and give people their money’s worth, if only that I’m too stubborn to do otherwise.
You need a backline, its the visual part of the show.. pilot lights!
@ sometimes you’re lucky enough that the venue has a back line, but most of the time they don’t. I got burnt a few times with shitty back line/ rental amps, so I’m dragging amps out wherever I play usually. It’s part of the deal
Man this vid is so spot on. I feel bad for the kids as well. UA-cam etc just isn’t real music and so few of the young ones will ever develop the skill sets we all have by cutting our teeth live and playing under pressure in the studios where time was money. It’s sad to see musicians relegated to just sitting at a desk in a makeshift home studio reviewing gear or pretty much anything but playing real music with other musicians.Maybe a church gig once a week. I’m still lucky. Here in Thailand live music and studio recording is still huge so I can play whenever I want. Sure the pay isn’t much but that’s not what drives me anymore. I play just to play and I’m glad I can still get out there and do it at 65.
Bill you are the man! Keep thumping!
You're preaching at the choir @ 65 I had my turn in music and did well .
I even got on a few UA-cam Nashville videos and was a rep for a steel guitar company.
Music is in a dull state of mind.
indeed.
I had a sense of real music dying back in 1983, having spent my teen years in the 70's but in truth it has to do partly with big dollar promotion as well as cultural shifts. Artistry still lives and always will live, whether it be in books, paintings, sculpture, or the performing arts, but public awareness and its consumption by said public will wax and wane according to social and economic trends.
Eventually I discovered bands from the mid-80's and later in whose music I found artistry but a lot of it was accidental, like listening to a public radio station in the wee hours of the morning.
Key thing was that, and still is, big business only promotes certain styles and trends that provide the greatest yield for their investment -
Same in the UK.
Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, etc are alive & well in Japan, led by the all-female bands. Japan has a healthy & robust music scene with countless talented musicians & bands. Here are a few of the excellent all-fema!e bands: Band-Maid, Nemophila, LoveBites, Bridear, Aldious, Mary'sBlood, Paradoxx, Ark Royal, Little Lilith, Nek!, The Frail, Hades, Sirius, Paleneo, Risky Melody, Full Moon, Mellow, Emanon, Market Shop Store, Exist Trace, Lumirise, and too many more to list. So if you're searching for excellent kickass music, look east to the land of the rising sun.
Everyone should be looking at the Japanese music scene, and start doing what they do. Practice, Practice, Practice, those bands work on work on music 8 hours a day everyday and it shows. All notch players. Many venues seem to have the ability to stream shows that can be free or paid increasing their audience. They work the social media always something. They give everything they got at concerts nobody is phoning it in. They play, perform and write with passion.
I played music for a living in the late 70’s early 80’s. Got married and had kids and got a career. But I still always played my guitar, and did some recording here and there.
Now, I’m retired and play music with a group of other retired dudes. We only play every other weekend, but we are booked all the way until New Years 2026.
We play danceable 70’-80’ radio hits, with some newer stuff thrown in. But it’s all dancable stuff.
There’s nothing more fun than playing to a full dance floor. Keeps us young, we make a couple hundred bucks apiece, and we get to play music!
That is awesome!
Another great video. Thank you you are so right that kids today will never get what we did we lived in the best time. Thank you Brad
Hopefully some of the old veteran musicians all over the U S can keep the older real music alive and maybe some younger musicians can keep the older real music alive great video thanks for posting and take care.
Yes! It's up to the old guys!
Look what happened to slapstick comedy. Everyone knows the Three Stooges, but there's no one doing it now.
This was a great rant truly.
Thank you!
Played the clubs for 20 years during the hay days and the downfall until 2008 until a health problem sidelined me . Had some fantastic times . These days just studio work and creating for my channel playing all instruments is my new gig . LOL Enjoyed your video thanks CAMCURSE . RnR forever
Brad, I spent from 1995 thru 2013 writing in Nashville on a part time, semi professional basis, and had expense deals and no recoup clauses in my song contracts, with Acuff/Rose, Sony, and later on, Universal. I was blessed to have some cuts on some records with Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, and Travis Tritt. One of my main writing partners and good buddy was Casey Beathard. He was absolutely on fire as a writer, in the 2000’s and 2010’s and who I wrote the most with, but also wrote with Dan Demay, and some with Glenn Ashworth, Dana Sigmon, Michael Heeney, Rivers Rutherford, Jeremy Spellman, and Jim Beavers. All of them great guys and fantastic writers. I didn’t know if you had ever done work for, or crossed paths with any of them? Most of the demoes I had done, were at Omnisound, American, and The Armory. The level of musicianship in those studio bands we’d bring in, was jaw dropping! I wouldn’t take anything for my time there, but I watched Nashville and the biz itself change, drastically in the 18 years I was going there, to write. That’s why I understood, when you said you were leaving Nashville, for Florida. I live in Georgia. Wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! Thanks for these great videos you’re doing!
That's a really awesome experience you had there. I wasn't really in the writers circle ever...couldnt break into that world.
so the gigs dried up and basicialy forced to leave? still in the industry tho?
@@chb8037 No. I wasn’t gigging up there. I was writing songs with the publishing companies I mentioned. But when people quit buying albums, there was far less incentive to continue signing publishing deals. Songwriters don’t hardly make squat now, on streaming platforms. Radio used to be the driving force in country, but now is greatly diminished. I still write and record. Like many others now, I have my own little studio in my house. Partially financed by the songs I had recorded. So I can’t complain, at all. God blessed me to get the songs recorded that I did, and make the friends that I did, some of whom I still have. I was gigging steadily where I live, here in Middle Georgia, with my duo partner in a guitar duo, until Covid hit. Now he and I have new grandchildren and I had sick parents to take care of, who just recently passed away. Many of the places we were playing, did away with live music, even after everything opened back up. Kinda like what Brad was talking about. Now, I’m just playing in our band at Church, and am very content just doing that, although I’m sure I haven’t played my last gig. It’s in my blood, too much, lol!
@@badbrad Just like any other circle in Nashville, you have to pay your dues, to break in. I wrote from 92 to 95, just sending songs where I could, until I got some open doors and started meeting people. You did great there though! From watching your videos, it looks like you had all the work you could handle, and then some. You were blessed, in the side of the biz that you were in, both in Hollywood, and Nashville.
Sucks that real musicians are taking the back seat while these manufactured electronic pop posers are shoved to the front... When I am forced to hear the modern shi*e . it truly makes me cringe. Its done on purpose to decay society.. IMO
Perhaps you are right
Yep, the destruction of a culture/society begins with its art and spirit.
Brad ... Guys our age have become our grandparents talking about the good old days. All the great NYC music clubs I grew up in and saw so many bands are long gone. It's sad. At least we still have our live albums from a distant age to enjoy ... Live at Leeds, Band of Gypsys, Kick Out the Jams, Made in Japan, At Budokan, etc. ... the list is endless. But I'd rather have fond memories of the past than no memories at all. It makes witnessing the Swifties inheriting the earth much easier to accept.
Those are great albums.
It's beyond sad that we're in the age of no talent at this point in history, but I believe REAL music will come back. Rock and Roll will NEVER die.
It's all entertainment, not just music. Originality is discouraged. Wait until they start feeding us a.i. artists or start releasing 'new' music from dead artists.
Learning the hot kicks videos on line jay gradon at moment
nice!
Cost of housing/living, lack of support, lack of venues for up and coming acts, and live sound engineers not knowing what they're doing cut the life out of the music scene.
My band had to sell tickets and was only able to get out family and friends, also the booker would make us play Thursday nights. It was hard to convince even friends to show up because who wants to spend $10 for a drink and drive out to a venue that's 45 mins away? Sound guys would bring decibel meters and make you set your amp so quietly you could hear your own strummed strings. If you disobeyed you'd never play their venue again. On top of that you've got 3 other guys trying to go to school, work jobs, have families, and build their lives so they don't end up homeless.
I read in Keith Richards' book the Stones would walk around collecting pop bottles in their free time to pay their $100/month rent for their flat and play music the rest of the time. It's just a totally different time now.
Sound guys with DB meters is the stuff of nightmares.....
Music is magical! Thankfully we have a ton of music recorded, but it isn't like a live show. I used to go to shows all the time, like every weekend, and I used to guitar tech for my guitar teacher when he had gigs, that was fun also.
This whole trend of the end of live music has been getting worse for the last 20 years but here in L.A., I am in Burbank , since Covid you are right there is NO real live music venues…in Burbank really none. No less than 3 places I use to play never reopened after Covid., just horrible. In the south Bay of L.A . There are still live music bars which pay something but in the Valley ….0. Not even buskers….everybody is staring at their phones…I think a lot of folks actually think “live music” is a DJ! Somebody on a laptop….its a rare event to see live music…
Man that is sad to hear.
I’m in Whittier, there’s some venues here still playing live music, but there are mostly tribute bands. Check out the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet..
Gene Simmons has been saying Rock Is Dead and now I believe him!
He had indeed
Gene helped kill rock by commodifying his own product.
I really never heard of anyone “marketing” an artist before KISS set the bar.
Now, to be “famous”, you need to dress like a douche, talk like an ass, and talent doesn’t matter if you can sell shirts and Chinese goods from affiliate links.
@@JackTheRabbitMusic Rock is dead because there is very little new bands making great new music.
The last great band was Foo Fighters some thirty years ago and they aren’t even that great, just riding Kurt Cobain’s coattails.
Sad commentary, but true!
Sad indeed.
I have found a few really good current artists. And when they come around, I try to see their live concerts. I’m even trying to see some of the old greats that are still touring. Because I want to do what I can to keep live music a reality. Unfortunately the ticket prices make that too prohibitive in many cases.
I feel the same. Ticket prices for many concerts are just out of reach.
Hey brother, great vlog and channel. I’m in VA. Play original music and gig full time (no day gig). There’s also a TON of talented cover bands here who work more than I do. I feel like real music, played by real musicians will always have an audience, and that audience is there for authenticity.
GLad to hear there is still a scene in Va.
I’ve decided it’s time to give up and do other things in the last couple months after about 15 years of hustling. I think we might see a return in a few years as people get pissed at tech for taking their jobs and want to focus on real human things they have lost… But in the meantime life is just too damn expensive to do this job anymore. I’m going to miss it but at least I got to have the experience.
I hear you Jon, best to you on your journey.
Here in Jersey channel Islands i have been busking since the sniffles bug came and they locked down.....ruined bussinesses.....ruined people s mental health.... to get some light and enjoyment on the streets as it was so damn depressing! Learned to uni cycle this year, play guitar and sing whilst riding, which spreads alot of JOY....WONDER.....SMILES.....and INSPIRES others.I am hoping other musicians here will do the same, learn to ride a unicycle whilst they play their instrument,would love to see a violinist!!!!! All the best man.
That's awesome! I love that you're spreading joy through music.
@@badbrad and on a unicycle!! that rocks, I like the circus entertainment aspect of that I think unicycle sax & violins would be cool too! Lol
Great memories True test of a musician in front of an audience so true
Firstly they've taken music out of schools so kids don't even know if they would be interested in music the groups I've seen it's unbelievable when I think back Emerson Lake and Palmer ,Jethro Tull ,Zappa ,Poco ,. Young Willie Nelson, asleep at the wheel ..the list goes on and on and I never paid more than $10 for any of the tickets. I played acoustic music through the 70s as a Duo and we made some pretty good money at the beginning of Buffett I learned all his songs and move to Lauderdale if you walked into a club and said you played Buffett you were golden
Hope is not lost! Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers have led a wave of 20-something's into real music. A young couple here in Atlanta have had a taste of the big time and are opening for their heroes because Zach Bryan saw them online and helped them get exposure. Americana and folk rock are where today's real players and singers are.
Interesting topic of choice. I live in OC CA. This disappearing train started going away about 6 or 7 years ago. I liked going to see original band concerts that were often reasonably priced I might add, and also watching Top 40 live rock bands playing rock and popular music from the ages every wknd with my GF. It once was a very vibrant scene!!! IT'S disappearance is a combination of different factors that changed the scene but of all the changes, I think modern rock/rock radio drying up definitely played a passive part role because Top 40 would often play current songs in 1 of there 3-4 sets to keep it interesting for the audience and the band.
When I've gone out post covid (even though it's still around lurking to jump on you) I notice that it has become an older age scene when I do go out to the rare place that has a LIVE band. To make a quick analogy I'll use a sports team as an example. Take a 5 man basketball team in which someone leaves the team or retires but these days there is no new blood, college player, or whoever to join and replace them so they have a 5 man squad again! This factor is a bit more passive but over time it absolutely has contributed to the slow death of the live music and the LIVE rock scene. Like you said, younger people don't even know and most likely the music that they gravitated to or have been exposed to is not this kind of music. I find it difficult to discover new good rock. Most likely, I wouldn't suspect that most young people in their 20s or 30s would know of or be aware of the twists and turns of the storied history of RNR music or been exposed to it. I have to say this because it was the back drop of this great musicthat inspired the different styles of rock songs I wrote that we play on our new record. Rock was so important to me in my life and so sometimes I just recognize how lucky I was to be around to discover and be exposed to all this great music initially by The Beatles all the way up to what was going on in the early 2000's.
A young guy asked me at work last week where I go out? I still look pretty good for my age and I told him that I don't go out much anymore and then I said that I used to see live music just about every wknd and now a lot of that is scene is gone or it's luck of the draw perhaps such as some group of aging rockers playing a set filled with "classic rock hits." Not complaining and still better than NOTHING!
I've checked out some local bars or clubs and many of the new scenes seems to be young people armed with their phones (I generally never even would bring my phone in a club to hear a band back in the day) playing some recorded music I don't care for with 20 TV's broadcasting video with the sound turned off of whatever and a maybe a DJ or not. I have an original rock band and produced a soon to be released recording that's a 30 song triple record in length.
The newest problem I'm facing with that off topic is how the BS distribution companies you supposedly need to get your music streaming hit you up with a yes/no legal agreement in order to use their services to put your music onto social media platform. The platform also requires a 2nd yes/no legal agreement at the onset as well. And now they want the right to use your music in perpetuity to train their AI and screw you or profit off your music. The end game is to eventually de-value your music even more and eliminate the need of licensing agreements or whatever so they wouldn't have to pay you to use your music. Down the line, some businesses can use AI to create something close that might sound like your music but ultimately won't have to pay a content creator for usage or LIKENESS to your music.
They are all very corrupt agreements AND equally or worse as when record labels ruled essentially acting as brokers of a bad bank loan who would then legally leverage the rights to a song but also take advantage of talented music creators other ways who they signed back in the day. This was when you needed them to get your music recorded and released properly. Then they stopped signing new bands to development deals and that is another factor that killed rock. As you know, record labels could just as easily ruin your career after locking musicians or bands into a bad contract. In fact labels successfully destroyed many careers even if you landed what you thought was a fair "dream record deal!" Long story short, it is my conclusion that it's in my best interests to hire an entertainment law firm in the know just to help protect our music and build out our own independent record label to protect our interests. NO CHOICE or definitely leave money on the table for someone else and then be screwed without any recourse. Now all I need is the money to pay for this protection. LOL!
when I was growing up I went to skyriver rock festival, there were bands playing in a park somewhere pretty much every weekend for tips, and the big names would come thru town and you could afford to see them, now you have to hunt to find any live Music , and its so much different , Rick Beato did a show on modern music being produced, one song had one singer, there were 3 words in the song that had 18 writers and 15 producers im guessing on those numbers but they arnt far off
I get it... I'm 58 and been playing live (and still do) over 40 years now... Yes, Covid did a HUGE number on live music, however, what I have found (at least in my area) is that the trick isn't trying to play for everyone. The hard truth is only a handful of kids under 30 will have any interest in your band. The move is to play for the 50+ crowd. They still enjoy live music. Play early gigs and you will draw a decent crowd. Leave the nightlife to the youngsters and their music. The other option for the old school late gigs (like 9-1am) is to play biker bars. They appreciate live music. It's a tough gig (late nights now are no fun) but this is where the live music still lives - biker bars and older crowds earlier int he evening. It's not like it was in the 80's or 90's, but if you play to the right audience, live music is not dead.
Hey man, you just gotta keep on playing doesn’t matter if I had to think about all the sad shit. My life would be pathetic. Those days are over man I miss them I’m in my 60s bro just keep playing man
You got it man!
The entire reason I picked up a guitar was to play in a band. We used to go to multi-band metal showcases down at the 7th St. Entry.
My dad was a WWII vet and a swing band enthusiast. He used to tell me the same things, different context, about how music was changing much to his dismay. Sadly times change, for good or bad. So what to do? How do we as spiritual beings grow and thrive in these changing times? You have to turn inside, meditation, expand your consciousness. The Universe is pushing you (us) to what we need to grow as spiritual beings
Wise words
@@badbrad You are definitely on the path. Pay attention to your dreams
Yessir, I learn, something i listened to to this morning living in the woods , Lady luck,and Great White Buffalo from tooth,fang,and claw by Ted and the dukes,then bottomless hole from handsome family. Thanks for uplifting.
Thanks for watching.
Yessir
"It ain't over 'til it's over", thanks as always.
Agreed, but there's still hope...
At 74 I have stopped playing in band live paying gigs. Friends just get together for the fun of playing music.
Music without a soul is like a rollercoaster without hiils
So true!
People don't want souls, they want entertainment.
Radio was great for me in the 80s. Great stations in Wisconsin. But they did repeat a lot. But there were cool programs late at night and on the weekends. What soured me on all things radio was when I got a new car several years ago, it had the whole satellite deal. I noticed rather quickly most of those stations repeated songs even worse than terrestrial radio. That’s when I began to record my own songs in earnest. Unless my wife is with me, I blast only my own songs. I even have a few fans at work! Ha! And playing out? I stopped when my boys started high school. Quit drinking too. I went to jam night a while back…..that was fun. It is a bummer for young musicians. It’s been dying for a long time. The heyday for live music was the entire 70s through early 90s. Slowly dying away……makes me sad.
I'm loving on a band right now called, Starcrawler, you may have heard of them they're from L A, if this was the 90s they would be selling out arenas, but they are playing small gigs, they said when they are off the road they have to get jobs, it's ridiculous, as good as they are, they should be on top of the world, but they are giving rock and roll a new life, Starcrawler Rock's ❤️
Yeah I like that band. Interesting and edgy. I actually did a response video to their I love LA song mine is called I hate L.A. the artist is Stone Padre.
I bought their cd. I found them on UA-cam. Things have changed dramatically.
@tomtoss2463 I take it you're talking about starcrawler, I seen them in Birmingham Alabama on October 27th 2024, they rocked the house out,
@ Yes the band from LA with Arrow DeWild.
@tomtoss2463 I got a guitar pick from Henri, Arrow came over and gave me a fist bump, I had the chance to talk to all of them outside before the show, Henri put me on the list, I got in free, against the stage, what a epic night, STARCRAWLER ROCK'S ❤️
Man I think you’ve hit the nail n the head here with Ai. I’m a professor at a medium-sized college way up here in Washington state. I teach graphic design in an art department, and we are already having to make big decisions about Ai and its impact on our profession. And the thing is, that train has already left the station. I fear it will eventually take over and turn all the designers I educate into just prompt-generators. It’s sad and unfortunate.
And to change the subject to some of what you are talking about here - garbage music, high priced concerts, etc. What is your opinion about an artist like Taylor Swift? Musicians aren’t all cut from the same cloth, so I’m curious of your thoughts. I’m with you on how to handle it - pull up songs from the past. It’s the same for me. Yesterday during my workout I listened to an entire live Jimi Jamison show. The day before that it was Journey Raised on Radio opening show in Philly. The day before that it was Triumph live in ‘83 at the US festival. If you haven’t seen that, check it out on youtube!
Man I'm not in graphics but music creation is headed the same way....got to make some wise decisions. Not really a fan of Taylor Swift.....
I tell my wife all
The time that the two of us playing music together is preserving a dying art. We play mostly for our own enjoyment but occasionally play for the family or at weddings. Just acoustic guitar and vocals it’s fun to play songs we like. After trying to play lead guitar for decades I now get the most enjoyment from strumming simple songs and singing with my wife. It’s truly enjoyable
Brad, dude...said it here before. Current situation here in Grand Rapids, MI is good. A decent band can play 5 nights a week. It's not all glamorous venues, but a few are. Mix it in with the club halls, suburb bars, corporate gigs, and summer festivals and the calander gets full. Youngsters on the dance floor every night too. The pendulum will swing our way. Come on up bud, we got a spot for ya!
That is encouraging to hear, thank you.
Hi Brad. I can relate to everything that you've said here. I'm from that same era and age group with decades of gigs. Top 40 band gigs. It was a wonderful time. Back then there weren't as many digital distractions and you had to pay for music which made you value and appreciate it much more. The thing is, up here in WI there are tons of top 40 bands and gigs, though not as many as there once were. I remain hopeful, through all the weirdness. What's REAL will be sought out when folks are done with the novelty of AI music. It has no soul. Love watching your videos and take on things. All the best for 2025 man, cheers!
I got away from playing with other people as I got older, keeping after band members was getting too hard. I now play all the parts and record and edit at home. I like it, and am getting a lot done, but it's not the same as being in the thick of a band just playing your part.
both can be challenging in different ways...
When I was 18-19, my band was getting paid 2-3k per night, there were management companies who would book you and provide a truck and a road crew - those were rip-offs, but the demand was there. But all things happen as they were meant to. Everything is just changing, and it will cycle back around again. I will always write and record and put out music and jam with real people, whether there is demand or a scene or not.
These days a small tour with truck and crew is over 100k a month, nothing left for the band.
Did you ever play at Trax in Charlottesville Virginia? I used to play there all the time in the early 90's. Sadly, it hasn't existed for over two decades.