Ask not what the blues can do for you. Ask what you can do for the blues

Ask not what the blues can do for you. Ask what you can do for the blues

Written by John Taylor

It's a cliché to point out that blues musicians do what they do for love alone. No one, after all, gets rich from singing the blues. But I think any blues musician working in Canada these days would add that times are tougher than ever. Gigs are fewer and farther between, and the pay seems to be getting worse, not better.

It's a cliché to point out that blues musicians do what they do for love alone. No one, after all, gets rich from singing the blues. But I think any blues musician working in Canada these days would add that times are tougher than ever. Gigs are fewer and farther between, and the pay seems to be getting worse, not better.

There is any number of factors at play, of course, most of 'em well known to observers of the scene. Consider changing demographics (the kids are all flocking to hear DJ's, and older fans, most of whom have jobs and kids of their own, simply can't drink as much nor stay out as late as they once could); competition from other options (professional sports are now as much an entertainment event as they are a contest, and who, even 20 years ago, could have foreseen the cocooning factor brought about by home theatres and the Internet?); and smoking laws that have had a huge impact on attendance at many a club, at least in major centres.

I often think (pessimistically, I admit) that we're living in the last days of the live music scene on a local level. I hope I'm wrong; I grew up in a time when going out to see a band was the thing to do, but I just don't see the same tastes in today's youth. Sure, they'll go to concerts, but apparently one requires a truckload of lighting and a posse of dancers to keep 'em interested for any length of time. It doesn't even seem to matter whether the headliner actually sings or performs; lip-synching is sufficient, and the spectacle is what matters. That, and taking home the t-shirt.

The festival circuit remains reasonably strong, but in Canada, the traditional outdoor shows are limited to the few short months that weather permits. And despite the proliferation of new festivals popping up (last year's glut saw at least one event cancelled simply because there wasn't enough of an audience to go around), the simple fact is that the blues remains 'bar music.' Always has been, and (hopefully) always will be.

I spoke to a bar owner just the other day, someone who has recently launched a blues series on Sunday nights. "Blues headliners on Friday and Saturday nights simply weren't doing it for us," explains Dave Hannah of Whitby, Ontario's Wing Shack, "so we decided to try it out on Sunday, with an early (8:00 p.m.) start."

Hannah admits it's a hard time to start up - January is traditionally a slow month - and a bitter, extended cold snap has seen many potential patrons all but hibernating. But Dave also maintains that support for blues is sadly lacking at the best of times.

"I get calls from 20 to 30 blues bands every week," he says. "They all want to play here. Yet none of these guys come out to support the blues. No one comes out to see other bands."

Hannah has a point. Blues fans, to a disproportionately-large degree, tend to be players themselves. (Not always, mind you, but my own observation leads me to believe the percentage is significantly higher than average). And all too often, unless there's a chance of sitting in, musicians opt to stay home.

The fact is that live music as purveyed in bars is in a very tenuous state these days. And yes, it behooves anyone who cares about the music - particularly the musicians themselves - to find ways to reach a wider audience.

But don't forget to look in the mirror. If you're not playing (and let's face it, there are only a select few with a full schedule these days), go out and support your fellow musicians.

They need you. And you need them.

Copyright 2003 John Taylor

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

WHAT'S NEW

Sponsored Links

SPONSORED LINKS

POLLS

SYNDICATE