So . . . a guy calls the musicians’ union to get a quote on a six-piece band for a wedding. The union rep says: “Off the top of my head, I’d say about two thousand dollars.” The guy exclaims, “TWO THOUSAND!? ARE YOU KIDDING? FOR MUSIC?!” The Union rep responds, “Well, let me suggest this: how about you call the plumbers’ union, and ask for six plumbers to work from six to midnight on a Saturday night. Whatever they charge you, we’ll work for half.”

As I have written elsewhere on this site: “Pursuing a music career is not entirely sane. If you can imagine doing anything else for a living – DO THAT! Actors face similar questions. (turn on the sound). The odds are simply not good and there are many ways to have fulfilling musical life without doing it for a living. Author Jason Pargin offers some food for thought.

If you cannot imagine doing anything else, get deadly serious – yesterday! There is absolutely ZERO guarantee of success, but somebody will be doing this – there’s no reason it can’t be you. If I could do it, anybody can.

My friend and colleague, Steve Trapani, has written, The Straight Dope, an excellent essay on this topic. He has more Notes & Thoughts worth reading as well.

That said, if one is to pursue a career performing music professionally, I strongly suggest joining the Union. When to join can be a complicated question for a young musician, but ultimately, a professional musician is far better off as a union member. However, there absolutely IS a place for non-union music – but it should be performed by amateurs – and it should NOT be performed in competition with professional musicians working to make a living! This particularly true for college musicians – student musicians undercutting professionals are driving nails into the coffin their own future.

Wrecking Crew heavyweight, Carol Kaye, has written a lengthy Facebook post about the studio music business. She knows whereof she speaks! (How long the Facebook “permalink” persists remains to be seen.) Also, this film about The Wrecking Crew is fabulous!

Finally, if you are booking yourself, a group, or a session – get a contract – preferably a union contract – but get a signed contract. There are many online resources regarding music performance contracts – however the AFM (in the US) has been doing this for more than 125 years; they know what they’re doing! Getting paid is good – be it initially – or if your recorded music is reused (which can be very complicated).

Harlan Ellison’s pithy “advice” (salty language) for writers is absolutely applicable to the music business.*