Free dumb
I got flack for working music projects for free. I’m enjoying myself, the folks I’m working with enjoy it. Why should it have to cost anyone anything?
I never had to pay to join a band. I never had to pay for a Sunday afternoon jam. If someone likes my stuff and they want to jam, I extend them the same courtesy. Why wouldn’t I?
That’s a good question. Why do folks care what I charge?
I’ve asked around. I’ve asked folks who have teased me about not charging anything. What I’ve come up with is some folks think it’s wrong with all I’ve spent in gear and learning. They think with the 10-12 musicians I help in a year, I’m driving the market down. They think those musicians need to earn their gear and learn like the old fogies did.
Are you a music MAGA?
I’m not there folks. In fact that almost sounds like ditching a service mindset. It damn near sounds MAGA. But it’s just fucking music.
Ever heard of enjoying yourselves?
Some of us like to give. Some of us like helping. Some of us like keeping busy. Some of us like exchanging ideas with phone numbers and songs. That doesn’t bother anyone. It’s not very many of us to begin with.
I’ve tried a bunch of things since getting online in 2016 with my music. My goal then and my goal now is to find musicians and songs I like and see if I can contribute. I think networks are important for creative projects. I’ve gone around the world and back with my personal music. A reason is the projects I’ve been able to help on change my outlook or skillset and then I take that home and make new stuff with it. Folks think I should charge for that? Charge who? Me? I’m the one benefiting most from the relationship. If anyone needs to pay a price, it’s me.
A lot of folks, particularly young folks, don’t have money for music. But they have music.
Charging a young musician is often like bleeding a turnip. There’s just not much in there. But there may be a lot of music. That works.
When you’re in the tax bracket I was in for most of my life, music gear is impossible. Learning gear is very hard without being able to play with it. Purchasing gear is just horrid with the price tags and never being sure if you actually need it. I’d rather be there for someone. That’s actually something I’m good at. I can help there. If I charged for that, what’s the point?
“You’re making it worse for all musicians by being free.” (jack-off hand motion.)
There’s millions of songsters out there. Me helping 10-12 a year from anywhere on the planet doesn’t do much if any damage. If you don’t know how many a million is, that’s not my fault. It’s yours. Everyone should be up to a billion by now on their googling of numeric metaphors of millions and billions. You can do trillions now or wait a few months.
Look, if you blame me for you somehow making less money because I like helping folks with my time, that’s really your issue. I know what I like and what I can do. It doesn’t sound like you’re there yet.
One way to make money is to not do music.
If I wanted to make money, I’d spend more time on my other contract work that doesn’t have anything to do with music. It has a super low overhead. And I’m good at it too. But frankly, music is more fun. It’s not because it pays more or less. It’s just because I like it. That’s fine.
I’ve dreamed my whole life about having the set up for music I have now. Recording a double album. Helping folks. I’m busy. That’s priceless, for me.
But you do you. (At least I’ll shut up about it except on my blog. lol.)
I am not saying everyone would be happy in my situation. But to all the folks who tell me I need to charge, I really really don’t. I like things right now. Why fuck that up?
If you think I’m hurting a market, I seriously doubt you’re looking at the market. It sucks, and it isn’t me. So..
Rick Beato, for example…
Old musicians get on my nerves sometimes with old thinking. I try to avoid that if I spot it. Rick Beato is a knowledgeable person. For me, his knowledge isn’t useful. He sounds the alarm about the death of music all the time. He’s never been to me and Keri’s house. It very well could be because we’re free. Can’t say the same for him. He costs peace to watch. He’s so concerned about what “they’re doing” he rarely if ever imparts anything on what he’s doing. It’s not my style.
Just because you’re old doesn’t mean you’re a pro with music or money. It means you’re old. That’s what I hear Rick bitching about.
This is the best we’ve been yet.
My life has gradually gotten a little better over the years, not worse. I think with me, that’s what you see. It’s also what I want for you, in any capacity. I’m not charging for that. I’m not charging folks for what I want.
About unsolicited advice.
Your deal is up to you. But I like where mine is at and we never have to talk about money. It vibes often. I think it even makes it better and more fun most of the time, being free. That’s how it should be. Don’t give folks unsolicited business advice. They may never talk to you afterward. 🤷
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Keri and I wrote 15 Years because we were moved by how horrible the US prison system is everywhere including here in Texas. If there were no writing or jamming without money, this song doesn’t exist. That would be sad for me.
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