How to Find Paying Gigs as a Professional Musician episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 13, 2025 · 18 MIN

How to Find Paying Gigs as a Professional Musician

from Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix · host Soho Artistry

In this episode of the Music Business Newsletter with Matthew Rix, I read an email from a guitarist who’s been playing for 31 years and still can’t find a serious gig.He claims to be one of the best players in his area. He’s got over $600,000 worth of gear, decades of experience, and a professional-level skill set that most musicians dream of. But the only gigs he can find are with teenagers starting bands or 20-something artists who don’t want to pay.He’s done playing for “exposure” and bar tabs he wants $750–$1,000 per show, and the problem? Nobody seems to value him.In this video, I break down:-Why talented musicians still struggle to find paying work-How to position yourself for session and touring gigs-Where to find serious artists and bandleaders who actually value pros-How to get paid what you’re worth without sounding entitledIf you’ve ever felt like your talent isn’t matching the opportunities you’re getting, this one’s for you.Got a story or question about the music industry?Go to https://MatthewRix.com and send it in.The more details you share, the better advice I can give, and your question might help other artists too.#MusicIndustry #Guitarist #IndependentMusician #SessionMusician #LiveMusic #MusicBusiness #MattrixMinute #MatthewRix #ArtistAdvice #TouringMusician #MusicianLife #GuitarGear #PayMusiciansFairlyListen to Mattrix Minute for daily Music Business insight without the music industry hype.SpotifyApple MusicAmazon MusicYouTube

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Nov 13, 2025

Embed this episode

Ready to play

How to Find Paying Gigs as a Professional Musician

0:00 18:13

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix?

This episode is 18 minutes long.

When was this Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix episode published?

This episode was published on November 13, 2025.

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this Music Business Newsletter w/ Matthew Rix episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!