Where has all the money gone...???

In the 1980's artists at the club level were actually paid for their services and paid pretty well I might add....

Yes, it may be a joke to laugh at those 80's bands with the "big hair and eyeliner" but there was a benefit to going to that
much trouble to put on a solid entertaining show. We actually got paid for our hard work!

My band SYRE regularly played [at our peak] over 250 shows a year and "grossed" a substantial amount of money year after
year. Those days are unfortunately long gone...these days clubs are barely willing to hire live entertainment... let alone
"indie" recording artists who play their own music [god forbid]. I think their are serval reasons for this...

Back in the day, there was genuine excitement about seeing bands who "may get a record deal", people would flock to their
local club to see the next "big thing". Nowadays with the onset of the internet and arguably declining music "sales", record
label A & R reps are rarely [if ever...] leaving the sanctity of their label shrine to check out bands in the local clubs... unless they are going to see what they believe to be a "sure thing".

"A sure thing" is defined as an artist who has sold 50,000+ units on their own, a track record of selling out clubs on a
regular basis, have at least 5,000+ fans on their Myspace/Facebook and have a finished "broadcast quality" recording to hand the record label. Oh yeh and they must be willing to tour relentlessly for very [and I mean very...] little personal income.

Label reps are also rarely [if ever] signing "development deals" where they bring the artist's along and mold them into what
they need at the time. Again...those days are long gone. Now they are looking for a complete package ready to go out of the
box.

For the average indie artist, it's tuff to get a club to pay you particularly if you only play your own original music. To get around paying these artists to play, club owners are hosting "Jam nights or "Open Mic' nights so they can have musicians come in and make the club money by playing for free!

Young bands flock to this type of event just so they can play a gig. This was [and continues to be] the beginning of the end for payment in return for the performance of live original music. As soon as artists devalue their services it sends a
dangerous message that they [and others] are willing to play for free just to get a gig. This tends to snowball and suddenly artists that were being paid for their services in a clubs are now being asked to play for less money... or even free.

Many artists will justify [to themselves] playing for free by saying well "we'll sell some CD' or T's at the gig" and make money that way. Only to find that it's tuff to get people to part with their hard earned cash these days.

It's very much part of the current "free society" mentality flamed by the internet...where the general public is starting to believe everything should be free. Unfortunately, our economy doesn't work that way folks and the music business is no different. It is called a "business" for a reason...artists, producers, studios, managers etc all need to make money for
their services. Without those arms of the industry making money there will be no music [or to even give away...]. Club level artists [which includes me...]have become slaves to the clubs themselves. Begging for gigs, playing for free, devaluing the very "profession" they have worked so hard to succeed in.

Now just to play devil's advocate...and in the clubs and music fans defense. Rock music [in particular] has become boring and the live presentation of music even worse. Artist have faded into that garage band mentality of the 90's and are still paying the price for boring shows and poor live attendance.

Rock music is supposed to be about excitment...not going up there and
going through the motions...if that is your mind set then don't expect to get paid for your services. If you are not excited about what you do then how can you expect others to be?
What we all need to remember is that music is a form of "entertainment" and like it or not we are "entertainers". In order to
be paid for a service you have to perform that service well....and part of being a recording artist is to "entertain" people.
Even the greatest guitar players can't juts go up there and display their chop's...even that becomes boring without some form of showmanship or in the least banter with the audience.

My message is don't be afraid to ask to be paid for our services...the clubs will make money if you draw an audience and that will happen if you are entertaining and provide a service worth the money you are [hopefully] being paid.

Twitter Music Promotion & Marketing Guide

Twitter Music Promotion & Marketing Guide

Jackie's B-Day....good friends

Jamin' with Brian Vollmerand Brent Doerner of HELIX

More jammin' with The Ugly Step Sisters (special guest vocalist Jay Wettlaufer...go figure that one...)

Chip jammin' with The Ugly Step Sisters

Upcoming shows I will be playing:

July 4 - The Chip Gall Band - Grand Bend Desiree Benefit [Special guest drummer Chris Spiers from Brother My Enemy]
July 11 - Solo Acoustic - Private Party

August 7 - Solo Acoustic - Academy of Music Woodstock - Sidewalk Days 5pm - 6pm
Sept 26 - SYRE Cambridge - Benefit
Oct 9th - SYRE Brantford Benefit
Oct 17th - The Chip Gall Band - Private Party @ The Moose Woodstock

Full Band Rehearsal....

We had out first full band rehearsal last night for the July 4th benefit show in Grand Bend July 4th.

I was very happy with how well it went considering I am breaking in a new guitar player [Chris Armstrong] and using a fill in drummer [Chris Spiers - Brother My Enemy].

It was cool to see Chris Spiers play music that was some what out of his element as BME's music is quite a bit heavier than my tunes. Chris did a GREAT job and add his own
chops to some of the songs which was refreshing.

It's always nice to play with guys that have a professional attitude and can come in an do a gig with only a week or so notice.

Chris Armstrong is also adding his unique chops to my songs. His Van Halen style guitar playing fit right in to my style of music so it is no surprised that Chris found his pocket very quickly within my band.

Being a bit of a worry wart myself it was big relief to finally get together with all of the guys and hammer out the tunes...my mind is at ease now about playing the show on the 4th.

Actually I am really looking forward to it....this version of the live band is really gonna smoke!

Chip jams with HELIX!!!!!!

Over the weekend I had a opportunity to jam with two musicians I have the utmost respect for....Brian Vollmer and Brent Doerner of Canadian rock icons HELIX.

I have known both Brian and Brent since the early days of SYRE and had the privilege of opening for HELIX at the Sault St. Marie Gardens several years ago.

This weekend we met up again at a close friends' private birthday party where I was performing acoustically as an opening act for The Ugly Step Sisters [Rick Mead - SYRE, Chris Caron - SYRE, Rob MacEachern - HELIX / THE CHIP GALL BAND]. I brought along my "electric" gear as I knew the night would consist of some preplanned and off the cuff jams.

The night started out as planned with me churning out acoustic versions of song from Me, Myself & You! [as well as some covers tunes].

Brian [unexpectedly but most appreciated] joined me for an impromptu jam of Alice Coopers "18" and "Be My Lover" as well,as CCR's' "Traveling Band". Brian was his charismatic self and belted out the tunes with the vocal power we have come to know him for.

After my set The Ugly Step Sister's were to take the stage....but not before a wicked jam of HELIX's "Dirty Dog". On bass guitar was my old friend Chris Caron - SYRE and on drums was HELIX / THE CHIP GALL BAND's drummer Rob MacEachern. Brent jammed on Rock Meed's rig, Brian grabbed the mic and off we went.

This was particularly a thrill for me as I have never played this song with Brent & Brian together before. We rocked it out as hard and heavy as humanly possible....it was awesome! That guitar riff is the coolest ever written.....I was in awe playing one of my fav tunes with two of my rock idols.

The crowd went wild snapping pics and rocking out to one of Helix's top rock anthems and I was proud to be part of it [and I manage not to screw it up too badly either!!!].

Michael Jackson - R. I .P.

With the sudden death of Michael Jackson... so died the era of "entertainers" in the music industry.

Like him or hate him Michael Jackson was the consummate performer and entertainer. He represented what music and the music industry is all about....entertainment. MJ was the entire package...great songs, vocals, stunning live performances and yes personal controversy.
He became bigger than the industry itself and more than likely new he could never live up to that monarchy. The stress of his career, legal battles and financial challenges had obviously taken it's toll on him both mentally and physically.

Michael was more than a product of the music business....he was the music business. The world will never see another talent such as Mr. Jackson and despite all of the controversy surrounding his life...his music touched each and every one of ours in some way.
R.I.P MJ
CG