Hey all,

I just wanted to say that we need to go out to shows, buy CDs, and do what we can to support our favorite local blues acts!

I know that it can be expensive to pay a cover, buy drinks, and buy CDs/tip on top of that... but that's how a lot of these guys make their living! Please be generous if you love the music and appreciate their love of the music.

My blues guitar instructor was telling me how things have gotten much tighter for local blues musicians the past few years... now they must compete with karaoke nights and younger and younger new acts who are willing to perform for free. Nothing wrong with those things, but you can imagine how hard it must be for really good local blues artists who make their music for a living.

Many, many more have day jobs as their primary support and play on the weekends and weeknights for the love of it. I'm not saying that we need to throw money at them, but I think being a musician is a tougher gig than most of us give credit for. If you enjoy their music, please do what you can to show that appreciation with a few bucks or something. It beats the hell out of giving to a homeless crack addict/alcoholic on the street who gives you nothing and has probably broken into your car a couple times.

Movies cost $10 now and last about 80 minutes. You can get them on DVD for ten bucks six months later, and you seldom watch them more than once.

Compare that with a $5 or $10 cover and watching up to 3 or more hours of great blues. (Granted, I usually get drinks, tip, and sometimes get food.. but I do that anyway at bars). For me, there is no comparison.

Doing this will ensure that SF remains a place that supports the arts, loves good music, and continues to draw very good blues acts at a reasonable price.