The phrase “support local music” is one that I hear quite often. I hear it from young musicians who are trying to get their first band off the ground, from older professional musicians who are still trying to fill the room at a gig, and from music lovers who want to see live music in their communities. Though it is a phrase that is thrown around quite a bit, I've realized that its importance may need some explaining to people who don't often go out to hear music, or buy local musicians' music.
You see, as it stands right now, live music in Concord (and in all of New Hampshire, for that matter) is kept alive by the love of the music. There is very little money to be made, either by establishments that provide live music or by the musicians who are playing there. Keep in mind that the restaurant, bar and club owners that provide live music do so because they want to provide a certain ambience or they just enjoy the music, not because it's a cash cow. The musicians and bands that are playing in the corner of your favorite restaurant or on the stage of your favorite bar are usually making less than any employee in the establishment.
In the more than 15 years I've been playing professionally, there has not been an increase in musicians' wages. Most venues pay a relatively low flat fee (usually between $100 to $300 to be split among the band members), a percentage of the bar sales (usually around 12 percent), or a collected cover charge.
Now, I don't want to belabor the compensation aspect of playing music – it is a labor of love. But, as you can see, the amount of money musicians make is most often directly proportional to the amount of people coming to the gigs. It's also important to recognize that bands just can't show up to a gig without hours of unpaid practice and rehearsals.
As a working musician living here in Concord, I get to see the value of live music in my community on a weekly basis. I do meet people who really do appreciate and enjoy live music and are out supporting it regularly. People who say that they want to see more live music venues locally need to recognize that it takes a commitment from the community.
Concord does have a thriving music scene relative to the size of the city. On most nights, there are at least two or three places to see live music of varying styles. So, if we want music to continue and grow in our community, go out and be part of it! Stop in and have a drink, pay the cover charge, buy a CD and support local music!
Scott Solsky is the music program coordinator at Shaker Road School. He is also a working performing musician in New England and currently plays with the Scott Solsky Quartet and the Blue Ribbon All Star Band.
