Re: Shrinking audiences?

[Alex J. Lubet <lubet001...>]

I wonder how many folks who hire dj's realize they often charge more
than entire bands?



MaxwellSt (at) aol(dot)com wrote:

>  In a message dated 12/13/2003 4:51:35 PM Central Standard Time,
> seth(dot)rogovoy (at) verizon(dot)net writes:
>
>      Have the professional performing musicians on this list
>      noticed a definite
>      drop at the box office since last spring?
>
> There is a critical drop in the number of touring offers that big,
> unwieldy bands like ours are receiving.  One hopes it is temporary,
> but who knows? I have a feeling that this is the case across the
> board, but that bandleaders are shy to admit it because it gives
> comfort to their competitors and leads to the question of whether they
> are still as hot a band as they used to be.  Having a lot of
> confidence that our band has never sounded better, I am confident when
> I say: It's the economy, stupid. I spoke the other day to a member of
> a wedding band who said that wedding band leaders are also quietly
> discussing what their options are.  They are confronted not only by a
> failing economy, but also by the onslaught of DJs, some of whom hire
> jobbing musicians as sidemen and put themselves out as DJ-band combos
> at a competitive price.  That's hard to challenge, especially when the
> vast market for non-Orthodox simchas has been weaned on the
> synthesized junk that comprises today's popular music (OK, I'm showing
> my age--45, to be exact!  But having a 5-year-old keeps me
> young...ish...). So, there's my 2 cents.  The calendar is lighter than
> before 9/11, the clients are more likely to hire the cheap
> competition, and so on.  Klezmer recording sales have also dropped off
> a lot in the same time period (and I am not just referring to mine--I
> am referring to conversations with distributors about the general
> market).  A free ride on the wave of the novelty of klezmer is no
> longer available, but I trust that good music will continue to carry
> on!And we certainly plan to--at least another 20 years.... Shavua tov
> and good luck to good musicians!  What do the rest of you think?
> Lori

--
Alex Lubet, Ph. D.
Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music and Jewish
Studies
Adjunct Professor of American Studies
University of Minnesota
2106 4th St. S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612 624-7840 612 624-8001 (fax)


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