Las Vegas versus New York City

[coltranemi2012]

Hi guys I live in NYC...I play in two bands (one rock and one jazz/funk/fusion...Lettuce/Soulive type thing)....I do work a day job...and other gigs...my wife want to move to Vegas cause she is a great Casino dealer and we would make a lot of money. I am wondering what is the music scene out there like? Is it very cruise ship like? I mean even I did the corporate thing is a lot of soul rewarding stuff going on as well? Are there a lot of gigs in the Casinos and hotels? Are the musicians cool or is it a cut throat type of thing? Basically any info/insight would be great. Thanks!

[bigeric]

OK. So I am a veteran musician. Been on the NY scene since 74. Been in an out of Vegas since 02. Jobs are very hard to get. Pay is lousy. Very few casino gigs for musicians or card dealers. If your wife has a connection for work so much the better.
Without connections bring lots of money. I have done countless events private and corporate in my time. Last 1.5 years 0. There is a little action but its tight. Vegas is a small town so all gigs are in great demand. Currently 1 semi jazz gig in town.
Countless jam sessions full of cats who dreamt of the Vegas big time.

On the other hand maybe you'll get lucky and be in the right place at the right time when what his name keels over and they need a guitar player right away. This place aint for sissies.

So whan ya coming?

[duanesworld]

I have a bunch of friends who play out here and eric sums it up correctly.

[tiktok]

Originally Posted by coltranemi2012

Hi guys I live in NYC...I play in two bands (one rock and one jazz/funk/fusion...Lettuce/Soulive type thing)....I do work a day job...and other gigs...my wife want to move to Vegas cause she is a great Casino dealer and we would make a lot of money. I am wondering what is the music scene out there like? Is it very cruise ship like? I mean even I did the corporate thing is a lot of soul rewarding stuff going on as well? Are there a lot of gigs in the Casinos and hotels? Are the musicians cool or is it a cut throat type of thing? Basically any info/insight would be great. Thanks!

This is not a place where I'd try to find work as a musician. Or, anything:

[jb70]

Originally Posted by bigeric

This place aint for sissies.

either is NYC

[duanesworld]

yeah but have you ever walked down a dark street with chris angel,carrottop and guys from the blueman group walking behind you? pretty damn scary!

[jb70]

Originally Posted by duanesworld

yeah but have you ever walked down a dark street with chris angel,carrottop and guys from the blueman group walking behind you? pretty damn scary!

no but one night after seeing wayne krantz at the 55 bar i was followed by a post-op tranny, a guy painted silver with wings, and the cowboy from the village people. at least it looked like the cowboy from the village people.

[IPLAYLOUD]

BTW: Chris Angel doesn't walk behind you. He walks above you.

[IPLAYLOUD]

Plus 1 NYC: You can go over a bridge or through a tunnel and find many more gigs and people to play with.

In Vegas, you have a Desert.

[speakerjones]

I don't have a lot of experience in LV, but from what I've seen the guys above sum it up pretty well. It's not the boom town it once was. East coast seems a little more civilized. Could your wife get a job in Atlantic City or up here at one of the CT casinos? Maybe you could find a halfway point to one of those places and still get gigs in the city?

[bigeric]

BTW to the op, If ya have unanswered questions feel free to pm for phone number. I would be glad to go more in depth with ya.
There are some good things here in Vegas. The weather is nice 'cept for July and August.
Owning real estate is cheaper than renting. You can buy a house for 125k. Less if your savvy and can stand buying on the courthouse steps.
Lake Mead is awesome. Nice airport for commuting.
No problems parking your car anywhere.
At least 30 Home Depots.
In and out Burgers all over town.
Free booze with a $20 in any poker machine in town.
Bars never close.
Smoke just about anywhere.
Low taxes for now.
Bacchanalian pool parties.

[bigeric]

Of course. For more local info check the LV Craigslist for details. Get ready for the good the bad and the ugly.

[Soul Man]

Eric, great info.

I have (had) loose family connections to LV so I always keep an eye out with what's going on. It's very interesting to hear your inside / local perspective on things.

Keep it up!

[bigeric]

Originally Posted by IPLAYLOUD

Plus 1 NYC: You can go over a bridge or through a tunnel and find many more gigs and people to play with.

In Vegas, you have a Desert.

Well said. Next stop from Vegas, Los Angeles another musical wasteland.
Don't get me wrong, If you can score a gig that's great. Its just very hard to do. Local Vegas musicians take care of their homeboys first. Same as anywhere else. However Vegas has been a magnet for players for years.
At one time it was justified. There was a ton of gigs here 20 years ago.
Now its a whole new game.
BTW most cats who do move here are woefully unprepared. If you are a full time working musician and can play any gig and kill it then maybe you got a shot. Sing? You better. Know songs? like 50 years worth? Play in any key? I think you get the picture.