[NewMusic] discounts, smishcounts

[Robair, Gino]

George wrote in defence of Woody Woodman:
<<And he's really sad and tired of locals like yourself talking
shit about him because he won't charge $5.>>

How much shit have I talked about him? All I said was that his policy of charging students extra was jive. I think I'm allowed to criticize a venue's fee policy, no matter who runs it. I've been one of those performers at his place, so I know first hand how wonderful a host he is. And sure, he takes a finanancial bath on his gigs. I respect all that. 

And I'm not criticizing the fact that he charges $25 or whatever: people can charge what they want -- I don't care. My point was that there are indeed people in this world who still can't afford a show at that price. I have no reason to make this shit up, George: it doesn't serve me politically in any way.  Ostertag is giving away all his music for free as downloads: to me, his work is still valualbe. Major artists do free concerts in the park: the music is still valuable.

I'd like to make $250 or more at every free-improv gig I play, just like the next musician. But the demand isn't there. So, usually I'd rather play to a full house at $5 a head than 3 people at $25 a person (unless the full house isn't listening...) Frankly, I'd rather just make music with people I enjoy playing with, audience or not. Tortunately, I have a day job so I can avoid having to take gigs I don't enjoy. For me, life's too short to play music I don't like.

Anyway, the joke about charging students more is not funny to me, whether a rhetorical gesture or not (as Sarah pointed out). And I feel I'm allowed to say that on this list w/o getting a personal attack.

And let me add that my comment about Zorn was not meant to dis that vast amount he's given to the creative-music community at large. Rather, my point was that no matter how much  he or anyone else puts in (whether it's Zorn, Duff, or Rova), someone's going to piss and moan. Like I always say: book your own series or start your own label if ya feel excluded.