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Monday, December 5, 2016 Kim De Gagne’s Christmas trees have all been sold — and he’s planning on going to Hawaii with his wife this spring. Elizabeth Cameron/ For Metro
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Musicians’ group wants better pay for club gigs Aaron Chatha
Metro | Calgary Musicians deserve to be paid for their craft, and according to the Calgary Musicians Association, they’re not making enough — especially from the local bar and club scene. “Essentially, we’re making close to the same pay that we were making probably 35 years ago,” said Doug Kuss, secretary treasurer. “We’re seeing more and more of things like jam sessions and just poor pay for musicians in general, in the club market.” While corporate and festival events pay better, Kuss is advocating for a minimum performance rate in the club and bar scene. The Calgary Musicians Association rec-
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ommends a fee of $168 for a bandleader or solo musician and $112 for each additional side musician, per three-hour booking. Colin Canning, marketing manager with Commonwealth Bar & Stage, said he absolutely agrees that a musician’s time is worth the money — but wouldn’t be able to work with those rates. “When you look at a music venue like ours, a band of four would now be a little over $500,” he explained. “If we want to put three or four bands on a bill, that’s now $1,500 or $2,000, which would be a lot.” Canning said each individual band negotiates their own rates, but venues also take on the costs of marketing those shows and watching their bottom lines. At the recommended rates, he feels it would lead to fewer bands being booked or higher ticket prices, especially for local acts. Meanwhile, Kuss hopes for a change in attitude towards bands — they should be treated like any working professional, whether that’s a doctor or a tradesperson. And with that should come a decent wage, considering the money bands spend on equipment and the time and training that goes into honing their craft.
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