A lot of people in bands, no matter what the connotation is attached to "musician", are some of the hardest working people I have ever met. They break their backs loading in the drums and amps that emptied their bank accounts and consequently leaving their stomachs empty by the end of their set. All of which is done just so they can play in front of their family, friends and the other bands packed onto the bill. Presence and attendance are currency for bands, more so than any dollar amount. So if you see someone playing, give them your attention because they really aren't getting anything else.
No matter how many hours you've spent practicing in your room or how much money you spent on your instrument, it's possible that music will never take you outside of the bar down the street. Many of the musicians that I know or have met will jump on any stage to play in front of anybody: somehow, they pack all of their gear and band mates into a car to play five songs in front of two people. So when a musician in town is playing up on stage, music is feeding nothing but their passions.
Musicians that haven't been graced with wide exposure or the grasp of pop culture will happily play FOR you. It's the thrill of stepping into a bar lit only by the stage lights that might as well have been duct taped to the ceiling in front of anybody that makes the night worth it. The sight of some drunk guy hopping around to the beat of the kick drum will never cease to put a smile on my face: serenading intoxicated audiences with an acoustic guitar is always fun too. Of course, getting handed $100 in cash when you leave helps, but then you realize that three other bands played the same night.
I have yet to really figure out how a musician supports themselves. Figures like Rihanna or Jack White who are few and far between mainly because all of the musicians that I know struggle to take home $20 at the end of the night. So you know what? A lot of us playing in bands really just want to have fun and make other people happy. The fulfillment of getting a group of people to sing, dance and be together is always a beautiful sight. No matter how many people are in attendance, a show is meant for expression and unity.
Music is a force and anyone that steps in front of an audience has that force violently surging through them. Money can come and go, mostly go, but the energy racing through your body on stage makes you forget that. I'd love to be able to support myself with my passion, but I'll keep pushing on and feed myself. Of course, dreams exist and stadiums may await a lucky few but the bar down the street or your friends basement party trounces over any dollar amount just as long as I can play.
