Words of Wisdom from Big Joe Burrell

Hope you enjoyed the holidays. I've appreciated all the good feedback from many of you about this column. This is good. I appreciate the opportunity to tell you about the music business in my own words.

Recently, I returned from playing an international music festival in Holland where I met up with musicians I hadn't seen in 30 years. I really enjoyed it. We talked about the old times, all the changes in the music business and other things which never change. I'd like to mention some of those here because I think they're relevant to all musicians, especially at the beginning of the year. Things like band management and plans, money/pricing, copywriting your tunes, and leadership.

It's the time of year band members should get together and discuss what the band wants to do. Map out a good plan for the year. Set a goal. How far do you want to take the band? What way do you want to get there? What kind of gigs or style do you want to be playing? Where do you want to play? How much will you charge? If these are discussed during the first part of the year, there won't be complications about someone in the band wanting to do other things.

As I've said before, arguments can mess up the creativity of a band. Because, for example, if you're up on stage and in your mind you want to be playing a different material for doing something else, you're not giving all of yourself to the work. Also, you're not letting yourself play freely. So clear it all up before you start the year. If anything comes up, deal with it right there. Then, enjoy the whole year. Pricing will be different for every band and different for every club. However, you can establish a range. He might not be important in the beginning when your band’s just getting started, but eventually you should be in the union or else your band won't be paid to play in certain clubs; generally, the respect it can give the band around the idea of money can be important.

Something that all musicians should be aware of is the amount of money bands get paid has barely changed since the 1950s. Pricing is a tricky thing. We sometimes want to play so badly, we don't charge at all, or keep our prices so low it makes it difficult for other bands to get what they should. 

I've been in the AFM Union since 1942. And all these years, they only came out to help me collect money once when some gang blew up the club we were playing in because they were jealous of all the attention we were getting. A couple of guys from the vice squad came out and met me. They were sleazy looking. They told me to get into their car to transact the business. Once we were in the car, they expected to be paid an extra $50 each just for collecting the money. So, stick together so you can get your money because the music business is corrupt. Everything in America is corrupt to some extent, although it's much better than it was in the beginning when nightclubs were all owned by gangsters. If a band became successful they'd move in on the club, like I mentioned.

In Detroit, the Purple Gang showed up one 

night when we were playing. We just kept playing. You don't get involved. You don't need to get involved. Just play your music. Eventually get a good lawyer. But you need to be sure that the lawyer isn't corrupt either! Always talk right up front, in the beginning. Know what's going on and what's expected of everybody.

Sticking together along with dividing up separate leadership responsibilities for each band member is important. For example, choose a band member who can be the spokesperson and quote prices; who's a good negotiator and who won't get angry easily. This could also be the band leader. You've got to have a band leader otherwise you'll have members leaving. A band leader helps keep the band focused on the plans.

And remember that a band is a team. When each band member carries out a portion of responsibilities it gives them something to be in charge of. Then the business part of the band can work like a good team. It's really not that different from how you play your music together on stage. Maybe one person is more artistic and can put together posters or a press kit. Another might enjoy making calls and setting up gigs. It's not much different from each of you playing a different instrument; do the one you like the best and it’ll sound fine.

Naturally, in the beginning none of us are good business types. We're all musicians; all we wanted to do is play. Most often bands aren't well organized to start with. But eventually, if you want to keep playing and play often, you have to begin to see music as a business. Know your rights. Know the music business.

Music businesses were often corrupt too, cheating people out of their royalties. So you must sign on with BMI or ASCAP and copyright your music in washington, as well as send yourself a copy of the music by certified or registered mail- and then don't open it. Hold on to it in case you have to go to court and open it in front of a judge, proving it's your tune. However, it's not fully covered unless you sign papers from Washington. Be sure to take care of that.

In fact, in Holland, one of these guys that I hadn't seen in 30 years told me about a copy of a 45 recording and his collection of two of my songs some company had manufactured that I didn't know about. This kind of thing has happened to a lot of us. We get paid a small fee for a song- if we were lucky- but we'd never be able to collect a royalty.

That kind of thing still goes on. So, if you follow these ideas and suggestions, it should go all right. Then eventually, you may want to get an agent or manager because it can be hard to be a manager and a player too. Our band's been lucky. But some managers just want a quick buck. Just be careful when you're choosing one. You want to talk about everything up front. Know where everyone is coming from.

Have a good year!

Big Joe Burrell is Vermont's most famous sax player and has traveled extensively with his Unknown Blues Band. They have two compact discs available: Live at Hunts and Every Time I Hear that Mellow Saxophone.