I still think if a band has the right business plan, you could gig clubs for a year or two, produce a good recording, develop a following, and then move away from the bar gigs to the other kind and stick with 'em. Pipe dream,huh.....
Maybe in a major metropolitan area, dunno if the location would make that much difference. Bubba, that has pretty much been my music biz plan through the last decade and two bands. Make a name fer yourselves in the bars and then go for the money, right? Here is what I have learned-
Everything changes and nothing stays the same. We've played our fair share of festivals, weddings and special events, but nobody stays in charge of this stuff. Every year the decision makers and budgets change. Different committee members, so and so resigned and somebody else is in charge, no funding this year, we're gonna go in a different direction...I've heard it all. "Annual" events will last two years and then fizzle out. And all of these new charges have got other musos tugging at their apron strings...shirt tail relation, friend of friend, etc.
In the end, ya just gotta stay in there and swing the bat, but if you want to avoid bars in these parts, you'll be lucky to gig often enough to keep a proper band together.
601- check this heartwarming story- Piere Lacocque bio...
http://www.mississippiheat.net
Piere Lacocque, leader of this international recording outfit, left music entirely for 14 years! He has a PHD in psychology from Northwestern University, has had books published, and wrote articles for national trade publications. He grew complacent and missed his music too much. Scrapped it all and got back in the saddle. Great stuff.
Bosco