Austin is supposed to be the “Live Music Capital of the World” and we need to act like it. There are a lot of things that need to be done to better support our local music, today I want to focus on a simple one: Musicians should be paid for playing. Period.

I don’t care what magical mathematical algorithm is used to determine how much each band gets, just make sure they get  some cash at the end of the night. Along with the alcohol, the music draws people to the venue. Even if a cover isn’t being charged, venues make money off the ludicrous amounts of alcohol we consume. I suspect that the number of people would be much less if you didn’t have a band on stage. Bands should be compensated in cash for their contribution to our failing livers.

And quit offering crappy drink specials to the band instead of cash. This is an insult and a way to make money from the band instead of giving back to them. I’m down for free or cheap beer, but I would rather have a few bucks in my hand instead. Oh, and don’t get me started on “pay to play“.

Venues are in a great spot: the number of musicians in Austin is near infinite. Booking agents get to pick and choose who they want to play as well as define the terms because there are 10 other bands that would take the slot and do it for no pay. Venues and booking agents usually have the upper hand in the dealings, but in Austin it is much more pronounced.

I’m not suggesting that each bands should be making hundreds of dollars per gig, especially not at those Tuesday-nighters at Headhunters. At the least, give each band a minimum of $20 regardless of alcohol sales, cover, etc. That’s it, every venue in town should pay that minimum. Twenty bucks still isn’t worth it (especially when split among band members), but it’s something. Of course, bands should be able to make more than that each show based on headcount, cover, celestial alignment, or whatever method but they should never leave empty-handed. If anything, guaranteed pay is a small gesture from the venue and city that musicians are valued and important in our local economy.

Kudos to those venues that currently pay bands in cash. Hole in the Wall comes to mind; they pay a good amount as well as provide free drinks to the band. Why are they able to do that when others are not?