For the past 35 years the income of working musicians has steadily declined. Even worse, there are now many businesses who want live entertainment who offer to pay nothing.
The Fair Pay to Play campaign of Portland, Oregon is a collaboration of both union and non-union musicians attempting to put an end to unfair conditions and to bring our baseline pay up to the minimum wage standards that every other worker in America receives.
Sponsored by the Portland chapter of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 99, we are seeking the support of working musicians by asking them to not accept work for less than the baseline pay scale. In addition, we are seeking the support of businesses that want live entertainment to recognize the time and money it takes for a musician to put on a show.
We are seeking mySpace friends in the PORTLAND, OREGON area. If we organize and work together, we CAN reverse these conditions.
Hope to see you at the next FTM happy hour. We need a standard so musicians & bands can determine what "fair pay" at clubs should be. Keep up the good work!
Any ideas on how we determine what is "fair"? Obviously, I can work for whatever amount I feel is right, and more talented musicians can hold out for more money, but how do I determine how much I am worth for a two hour set?
Thanks for the request. Lets see where do I start. If they aren't going to pay you to play, then dont show up. Battle of the bands should include more weapons and everyone beating the shit out of the people who promote these shows and the clubs that allow it.
Thanks for the friend request. Yeah, us musicians do work hard for our money. Good luck . Welcome to our world...come by and check us out. Best Wishes, *Jan* The Hell Candidates METAL QUEEN
Drunk on Power and The Twilight Room both make good comments below, include the booking agents and clubs in this and support booking agents and clubs who are just getting started - symbiosis maaaaaaaaaaaan
I think what you are doing is AWESOME, I take exception to coments made bv the band "Drunk on Power", we DON'T need the kind of Cynasism that THEY represent. COME ON "Drunk on Power", stop acting like a Corporate Whore, and start behaving like the "In Your Face" rock band that you pretend to be! MUSICIANS UNITE!
Thank you for the insight and the invite to join your just cause. I'm looking forward to working with you guys and encouraging others to join the cause.)
We LOVE what you guys are doing, but think you should involve the booking agents and club owners as well. Musicians are only 1/3 of the equation... I say that as a musician and booking agent. Keep up the good work!
