IT'S TIME TO UNITE - NOT DIVIDE

Bonita Springs FL

Description

To all my brother and sister musicians, Whether you are the hobbyist, part time musician or full time making a living at performing, we all have one thing in common, We were given a gift to play music. How much time we spent to develop it and where one wants to portrait it in the industry is at their discretion. We all differ in performing at different levels, styles and genres of music and seek out others that are like minded in a quest to form a project that can be presented to the public in the entertainers comfort zone, however, if we fight and argue with one another we become defeated in an industry that for decades has tried to dictate what they think we are worth, what we should play and how to play it. Are we different? Yes, much of the world doesn't understand us. It's called creativity. Whether you are playing bars, country clubs, concerts or just want to jam somewhere on a Wednesday night, we MUST NOT be divided, we must be united and respect one another. If not, it places us in a position to be viewed by the venues as dysfunctional and inspires them to control us under their terms. Many of these venues view musicians as people who will work at a drop of a hat as long as you throw them a tip jar. Tip jars are fine and sitting in on an open mic night periodically for no pay is fine. But when you have been booked to perform, the wage is important as well, because some of your brothers and sisters are making a full time living at it. Remember, 90% of the people booking you know nothing about music and have been appointed to that position because they have a degree in business management or have been the dishwasher at the venue for the past 10 years and have been promoted to entertainment director. The people hiring you didn't spend all those hours on the instrument, YOU DID. We must stay in one accord in order to survive in this business and respect one another no matter what position anyone of us has taken in the industry. We must uplift and inspire one another. If we do this, we will see a change in how we are treated in the industry, but if we fight against one another over songs, styles, direction and music genres and compete against one another, we become divided and fall. We are also facing a recession in the months ahead, and that may become a bigger headache for us as well. I believe at some point all southwest Florida musicians should unite at a specific venue one evening here in the Lee county area for a conference. This meeting should include all musicians, producers, live entertainers, song writers and recording studio engineers from Lee and Collier counties and beyond if possible. As always, I wish everyone the best in their future endeavor's and good health. Brother Ron