IS LIVE MUSIC DYING?

Unfortunately we are in a time when live music is not happening like it did in the past. I guess drunk driving laws killed a lot of it, but then home entertainment centers, better sound systems at home, more live music available via satellite and cable, and more home entertainment products like DVDs and Playstations.  In addition to those factors the cost of going out has increased along with gas prices and it seems like all these things to different degrees have doomed live music on a small or mid level scale. People will still go see major acts but the day of the great show bands has diminished - at least for now. I played show bands in the late 70s and loved it and the people loved it but for the reasons I gave you above that is over. I still enjoy going out and seeing a live band but the new generation seems to be happy doing other things with their time and money and there are so many more options for them than even 5 years ago.  It seems the only viable outlets for live music these days are a sprinkling of clubs, casinos and cruise ships all of whom require elaborate video and promo to get in the door at a level where you can make money.  A lot of those venues expect you to be able to please their diverse age differences thus you have to be versatile enough to play songs from the 50s all the way to today's hits in all genres.   This is a very tough time for all live performers and I long for the good old days.

Dick McVey 2005.