[TPIN] amateurs/playing for free

[Travis Wilson]

ok guys, i have a serious question. One that arises out of the 
conversation about folks not playing for free. A(nd believe me, I think 
that is a pretty tough question that involves a lot of issues. )

I have kept this group informed of the progress of the House Band for 
the Taco Stand. The group is alive and having a great time. At our gig 
last night, a friend suggested that we contact a local dance studio and 
have them do a field trip to the club where we play, or us go to their 
studio (it is plenty large and they hosts lots of parties) and play some 
real swing jazz dance music for them.

I thought it was a great idea. I used to go to this dance studio and 
take all sorts of lessons. It is kind of a unique, very inexpensive 
studio that is a real Houston tradition. I have know, slightly, the 
owner because of my involvement.

so last night I wrote him and proposed that either his real swing dance 
fans come to the club we play at, or we come play at one of their 
parties. He wrote back early this morning with a very nice reply. Here 
is his what he said:


> "Your group sounds like fun.  I have to tell you though that I hired 4 bands
> in 2005 and lost money on every one of them.  My students simply do not
> support live music. They would rather pay $5 and dance to DJ music."
and this from a group that LOVES to dance, loves music.

now the question. If the problem is his people won't pay enough to allow 
him to hire a band, and he has made a serious effort to do so, and our 
band thinks it would be great fun for us to go to his club and play for 
an evening dance party, and we are willing to do it at a very low cost, 
is that something that folks think is acceptable?

There are many issues here, but one of those real issues is that our 
guys would have a great time at this place playing. I know the 
atmosphere and it would be incredibly fun for us to do it. Do we pass 
that up because the owner has found out he cannot afford to pay a real 
cost for a band?

this is in no way a rhetorical question. I am a bit at a loss on what to 
do. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Travis
>
>
>