At the risk of sounding like I'm tooting my own horn, I'd like to offer up a little praise for working musicians in hopes of bringing some attention to the hard work that many performers do in order to make the show go on.

There are many stereotypes heaped upon musicians ranging from rowdy and irresponsible, to lazy and unmotivated.  As with most stereotypes, they get started for a reason and there are definitely those people who embody the negative qualities attributed to them by non-musicians.  There are indeed a lot of opportunities for excessive (and some would say immoral) lifestyle behaviors on the path of a professional musician.  Then again, it would seem to me that many of these same pitfalls are everywhere in life for people of all vocations.  It is not my primary intention to make value judgments here, but rather to point out some things to interested readers about what musicians encounter in promoting their livelihoods.

The first thing a performer must do in order to become a professional musician is to learn his craft.  No matter a person's aptitude or talent level, it takes years to develop enough skill to play professionally with conviction (and I'm not speaking necessarily about jail ;-)  This doesn't imply that a newcomer can't play with emotion or something to offer.  It still takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to become proficient on an instrument, virtuosity notwithstanding.  Most musicians who make a living playing have spent countless months and years practicing and composing in their bedrooms without an audience.  Many have played in clubs without an audience too!  I know that when I first picked up a guitar, I did so for the pure unbridled love of the instrument.  I wasn't thinking about selling records, firing bandmates, or picking up women when I was playing along with my favorite records as a kid.

Artists, in general, seem to have a different way of looking at the world than non-artists.  Many are idealists and tend to see something redeeming in the world of inspiration that could make the material world a better place.  Consequently, many don't seem to fit in comfortably with the world of finance and status, though there are definitely wealthy and famous musicians.  Most performers who reach a certain skill level are faced with the decision of pursuing their art as a career or as a hobby which takes a backseat to a primary vocation.  If a guitarist decides to make music a career, he is suddenly no longer the kid obliviously playing along in his bedroom to rock and roll records.  He is besieged by demands to make a living and his work becomes a product governed by laws, club owners, and music industry personnel.  Maintaining a sense of innocence and pure enthusiasm for playing is no small feat after being exposed to the "real world".  A lot of musicians are forced to juggle the demands of a regular 9 to 5 job with the requirements of being a working player.  Factor in the priorities of a family, and most get out of the deal altogether.

Some musicians make a living playing 200 nights a year, traveling thousands of miles in beat-up vans which break down at all hours of the day and night.  There are numerous gigs that are cancelled and performances where the equipment malfunctions.  Most shows require a lot of hard physical labor ranging from loading gear in and out of venues, to driving home afterwards and not getting there until the sun is coming up.  On top of that, the player is expected to stand on his feet (sorry drummers) and deliver a piece of his creative soul for almost four hours!

I haven't even mentioned the club owners who don't seem to treat bands right, though there are many who are professional and realize that treating hired employees (ie: musicians) with respect and courtesy ultimately results in a better overall experience for all parties involved.  Not getting paid at the end of the night should be the sole fault of the club owner, unless there is a prior agreement to the contrary or if a band fails to live up to a contract, and there are no excuses when a club does not deliver on its promises.  It sure wouldn't be tolerated in other walks of life.  I must say that I have been lucky to encounter a few club owners who would actually pay more than they promised at the end of a good night.

It is also hard to find proper nutrition on the road.  The Waffle House really is the home away from home for many performers!  The hard hours of traveling and playing make taking care of one's body of paramount importance.  Fast food and convenience stores are not exactly hallmarks of good health.

Then there is the issue of cigarette smoke in clubs.  I respect a person's right to kill themselves with dirty habits if they want to, but I don't feel that I should have to endure it in a club by default.  It's not pleasant coming through the door at home at 4 AM feeling like a greased-over Marlboro while trying to rid the sinuses of a newly-acquired nicotine habit.  I may tick off some smoking musicians and club patrons here,  but that is not my concern.  The playing environments can really take a physical toll on musicians and their instruments.  It is especially hard for non-smokers.  Nightclubs have always been accepted venues for lots of smoke.

Professional musicians also have a sizeable financial investment in their equipment which must be preserved from the wear and tear of road travel, as well as from conditions in clubs.  Good transportation is a must too!

If working as a live performer isn't enough, most artists need lots of time to write and create as well as record their projects.  The financial and time requirements of fulfilling these activities can be great.  Once songs are recorded, they need to be marketed and distributed.  That is a whole other issue altogether.  The music business can be overwhelming, intimidating, and disillusioning.

The main point is that many people who either attend a performance or contract bands for hire are simply not aware of all that musicians do as part of their work.  While there are a few musicians I know who I wouldn't trust a penny with, many performers are decent and honorable people who are some of the hardest working individuals around.  The work of musicians may not have the life or death importance of the deeds of doctors and firemen, but it is still vital.  Society doesn't seem to value the day-to-day meaning of the work of musicians like it should.  Without music, the world would not be as beautiful of a place as it could be.

For me, there are many hard nights where I wonder if I should keep trying to play professionally.  All it takes, though, is the one magical performance where everything goes right and I'm sucked right back into it again!

So the next time you are out at a club watching a local performer play, take a minute and realize that a lot of effort went on behind the scenes to prepare the show (and please don't ask a blues band to play "Margaritaville").  If you are a musician, don't be ashamed to acknowledge the hard work and noble endeavors involved in making music.

One more thing:  If you ever call my house and I'm sleeping at noon, remember that I got in at 5 AM from playing and driving overnight so I'm tired ;-)

Jason