I was looking through some old LA music magazines and papers from the 80's and saw so many ads for LARGE music stores in southern CA, ones just as large as Guitar Center.  (And I remember the original "Vox Guitar Center" on Sunset in the late 60's).  Sam Ash, Mars,...

In our last newsletter we mentioned the recent soaring popularity of tribute bands.   Below are some reader comments.  But first, why is it that almost every tribute act is composed of older players?  Wouldn't a crowd rather see a 23 year old Elvis, or Beatles...

Predominately in the last decade, tribute bands have exploded in popularity, often outdrawing traditional cover bands and original local acts. From festivals to theaters to cruise ships, fans are flocking to tribute shows that offer more than just  familiar songs, the...

The Steve Miller band recently canceled their entire 31 date US tour starting August 15 in New York to November 8 in Anaheim.  Extreme weather risks, including heatwaves, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires were the reason.  Their decision was based on safety...

What?  House gigs are getting popular again?  I was talking to a musician who is 25 and I mentioned that in the 80's my band had a steady house gig three nights a week.  He asked "Is that a gig in someone's house?"  I laughed and explained that the term referred to a...

When replacing a band member, talent isn’t everything—personality matters too. Discover timeless audition tips, from phone auditions to reading a musician’s vibe before meeting in person.

When Musicians Contact was founded in1969 we thought it would be the connection place for non-union musicians, since the LA Musicians Union members already had their established place.  But within a few months we attracted union players seeking gigs and after three...

Tariffs have been placed on smart phones, computers, and semiconductors made in China from 145%  to 20%, but this figure could change at any time.  So what about tariffs on musical instruments?  Apparently the NAMM president sent a letter to the Trump administration...

I don't profess to know a lot about Artificial Intelligence in general and all it's possibilities and ramifications but apparently it is here to stay.  If this is good or bad, that's up for debate.  But how will AI affect bands playing in front of an audience? AI has...

Here are a few observations about some conflicts between musicians and club owners which should not exist. We all know there are a lot of free and low paying gigs out there, but it usually has nothing to do with whether the economy is good or bad. One problem is that...