Big Jim,

I lived in germany for just under 12 years...played music almost all of that time. In the 1970's and 1980's, I averaged between $55K and $60K per year. In those days, that was very good money! Ain't too shabby today, either! Other than about hald a dozen benefit shows we did for free, every single job was through my German booking Agent (Harry Kreiner Agency out of Manheim). He took 10% off the top and we got the rest...paid on the last Friday ov every month. The numbers I quoted above were after the agent's fee was deducted. So, Europe is a far better place for musicians.

The highest paying gig we had was at the Frankfurt Mess Halle for which our 5-piece band was paid 6,000 Deutch Marks, about $2,800.oo at the exchange rate at that time, for a 2 hour spot for about 3,00 patrons. We played country and southern rock music.

Where I live, St. Louis, Missouri, there are very few clubs that have live music, except for quite a few blues clubs and several rock venues. that's my report. I'll be back with more on some station at some time with some sort of info. Stay tuned!

Al