u/altgurl7

Hi everyone!! I’m sort of new to getting out and doing gigs, I’m a vocalist. I met someone who wanted me to do a 3 hour gig with him and a band and he paid me $150 for it. It was my first show ever and I did amassing, we racked up tips and had everyone in the bar going crazy and dancing. Last night I did an open mic with the guy, which I’m fine with doing . I know open mics aren’t paid but it’s good experience/exposure. But he had mentioned he has a gig on Sunday for 3 hours and he would like me to join. After I told him I was down he told me “I can’t afford to pay you this time tho.” So basically he’s saying he’s going to take all the profit.. but he wants me to come and “have fun”. I feel like this isn’t fair. Yes I may be new to the scene but he paid me for my first time which I think was well deserved. And since it’s a 3 hour gig I’m assuming they’re going to be paying him, so I don’t feel comfortable not getting even a cut of it. I bring a lot to the stage. I feel like my talent is being undermined, and I feel like he is trying to take advantage of me because I’m new to all of this. And I would love to do another show, but if he is getting paid why should I contribute my assets and not get paid. He knows I’m talented and I feel he may be using me to get more shows and fans, but I’m not actually being credited and now he’s saying he won’t pay me bc he can’t afford to. Just wondering if this happens a lot in the music scene and how to handle this.. because I can bring my talent elsewhere yk.