Since everyone here is posting under an assumed name, maybe I can get an honest answer to my question.

National touring act side musicians-the guitar players and other musicians for Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban etc-how much are they getting paid? Do they get paid per week, per tour?

I only ask about Country players since most rock bands have the same members for years, while most country acts seem to change personell around a bit.

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Life is like a sh*t sandwich. The more bread you have, the less sh*t you have to eat.

The music biz, like any business dictates that you don't get what you derserve, but you get what you (or your people) negotiate.

According to wiki -

"According to the 2009 issue of Forbes, Taylor Swift is ranked as the 69th most powerful celebrity with over $18 million in earnings this year."

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I'm asking about her back up band (and others) tho-how much do they make?

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Life is like a sh*t sandwich. The more bread you have, the less sh*t you have to eat.

The thing is, there is no set standard for the industry, as these types of musicians are most likely viewed as independent contractors. So members of the same tour may not necessarily be making the same, as it depends on the act they are touring with, whether or not they are just touring or also recording in the studio with the artist, the size of the tour, the deal that they work out prior to the tour, the duration of the tour, how many other artists they may tour with when not touring with this artist. I am sure most make anywhere from 5 to 6 figures...

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RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

I would bet that is a wide ranging pay scale.

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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...

to add...if the band supporting the artist is union...then they can make some good money. If not...well..depends on the artist.

Contracts , contracts Join the American federation of Musicians. Baltimore local is 40-543 they get involved in TV shows Theater ect ect. unless you make it big then they come looking for you.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Good post airborne, union plus per diem, Mike, CV, BF, Randy all got it right, it all fits together some how, do CYA when you are negotiating or you could become basically an indentured slave for longer than planned and that isn't fun and can cost you if you break the contract.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Er, I'm not...


Back in the early '90s I knew a guy who was best buddies with Charlie Morgan, who was Elton John's drummer for many years. This is hearsay, but I was told that back then Charlie was on a contract that paid him £350,000 / $585,000 per year, regardless of whether they toured and recorded or did nothing.

I'm sure that was not the top of the league for sidemen at the time, but it certainly wasn't the bottom either.

Mulitiply that by all the musicians and other supporting staff on regular contracts - and you realise why a solo career where you are the boss and have to find everyone's wages whether the work comes along or not is a double-edged sword...

Cheers - C

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From '96 to '00 with Steve Vai, drummer Mike Mangini averaged in the 6-figures range annually.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Mangini

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!