WHAT'S IT WORTH?

Watching the day rate for session musicians drop like a stone must be a bit worrying. Don't think the union rate is viable any more to any except top end producers but at the same time it seems unfair to expect someone with years of commitment learning his chops to deliver for less than minimum wage. It's a real dilemma. Pay union or use samplers. How to resist a trend that turns learning and experience into a commodity of diminished value. Yet, can you maintain fair wages if the demand just isn't there? Car workers across the world can't seem to do it. Be interested to know what a working musician figures current fair wage per diem might be not withstanding the buzz of actually having a real opportunity to perform.

Gray Dourman
www.magichelix.com