Kansas City musicians deserve more
Over the past few months, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet and listen to many Kansas City musicians. They have taught me a great deal about their art; sharing process, local living musical history and personal perspectives. They possess rich and eclectic talent that defies a Barnes&Noble category label. For now, I call it “the sound of Kansas City”. And presently, I am concerned about the sound and the people who make it so.
Unlike other artists in this city, musicians depend upon the “alcohol dispensing trade” to sustain their art. Like galleries that showcase paintings, theatres that showcase dance, the local musicians rely upon bar and club owners. Right now, let’s consider those places musical galleries. The “gallery owners” are often absentee landlords whose hands do not serve drinks, deliver food to tables, or care about music.
The people who manage the bar owner’s day to day bidding are managers who themselves often remain distant from the music scene. There are exceptions to this condition and for those frequenting those establishments where the owners are onsite, please cease reading here.
For those wishing to explore local music, you’re in for an amazing treat. For those establishments who take a careless approach to their temporary musical employees, read on if you can. For musicians who continue to settle for the status quo and see no way out, I offer a few observations, a few recommendations, and my admiration.
Here’s the deal: - Musicians deserve a better economic deal…dignity - Audiences deserve entertainment for their money - Kansas City needs another Cowtown Ballroom or a “Filmore central” - Clubs and bars stand to make more money if they’d pay attention to our rich local musical art forms - Musicians should take charge of their musical destiny and collectively create a few Cowtown Ballrooms here via not-for-profit models currently supporting other art forms.
I’m not calling for musicians to become teetotalers and coffeehouse frequenters, although that’s a market. My concern stems from the reality that local music floats upon the economic river of the alcohol business; a business focused upon the flowing river. Instead, consider floating upon the river of your art. All artists struggle to create, but the struggle becomes harder when your gallery depends upon a beer tap. Why is the ballet, the symphony, clothing designers, painters, sculptors, receiving more dignity and patronage than your fantastic sounds? You’re frequenting the wrong gallery.
In fact, few of your gallery owners consider their venue a musical art gallery. Most owners are not even remotely involved in “curating” your art.
A few recommendations…because I know you want to rehearse soon: - Local musicians have the capability to shepherd their art…but this city needs for some local shepherds to tend this talented flock - Depending upon a cover-charge is an unsuccessful, outmoded method…instead, sell tickets. Or ask bar owners to pay you outright - If you build it, they will come…musicians should build their own galleries - Stop longing for Austin, while you shun Nashville, and dream of New York
More later…catch you at your gig…keep practicin’.
Google+
Share
Tweet
Comments