Gig Gab - The Working Musician's Podcast
Sep 7, 2026 · 1 hr 31 min · 11 segments
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Adam BarberGuest
Tyson HanesGuestIt would be nice, but it's just not how human nature dictates that these kinds of things just keep happening.
Because of these pendulums that will never shift, I think it's important to know your options as a musician and to create your options.
But the first thing, before I lose track of it, you've mentioned that on Nashville, we essentially, or on Lower Broadway, we essentially work for tips.
I'll say on a good night, what percentage of your pay comes from tips versus your base at these clubs?
Like not the best night ever, but you know, like an average good night, like an average good night.
Like, okay, this was like, you know, it wasn't something special where, you know, you had like a wedding party of a hundred people come in and just pour money at you or whatever, you know, like, which we love those by the way.

So depending on the club, because the base pace can, can drastically be different club to club.

But I mean, I would say on average that the base pay is maybe 30% of the actual total less
It would be nice, but it's just not how human nature dictates that these kinds of things just keep happening.
Because of these pendulums that will never shift, I think it's important to know your options as a musician and to create your options.
But the first thing, before I lose track of it, you've mentioned that on Nashville, we essentially, or on Lower Broadway, we essentially work for tips.
I'll say on a good night, what percentage of your pay comes from tips versus your base at these clubs?
Like not the best night ever, but you know, like an average good night, like an average good night.
Like, okay, this was like, you know, it wasn't something special where, you know, you had like a wedding party of a hundred people come in and just pour money at you or whatever, you know, like, which we love those by the way.

So depending on the club, because the base pace can, can drastically be different club to club.

But I mean, I would say on average that the base pay is maybe 30% of the actual total less
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