Should Music Be Played By Salaried Artists?

I saw a concert in this field yesterday for free by Levon Helm and his band.Levon was a member of the Band that some music experts feel was North America's best band in the sixties and most of the seventies.Levon is a southern American while the four other members were Canadian. He now lives in Woodstock,N.Y. which is the next town over from mine.Levon and his band has been giving concerts at Gill farm(SW of Kingston,N.Y.) for about five years.I believe it was originally payback for taking photos for one of his albums(Dirt Farmer)on Mr. Gill's land.Levon continues to give free concerts because he is a wonderful,beloved person in the Ulster Co.community and loves to do benefits for those in need.I've seen him numerous times for free and with the Band in large arenas(Jersey City in 1972 with the Allman Bro. and Grateful Dead) and at local bars in the community.He has an infectious,hard working spirit that makes every song joyous.There was a time when Levon fell on hard times before his career with this current band has become successful.People were doing benefits for him when he developed throat cancer.Luckily, Levon picked himself up with the help of other musicians and now fronts one of the best bands in the country again.Band members include Frank Campbell(played with Dylan for seven years),Jimmy Weider(originally replaced Robbie Robertson as lead guitarist of the Band),Jimmy Vivino(Tonight Show band leader for O'Brien),Donald Fagan(Steely Dan)and other great entertainers in their own right.

There is nothing better for me than listening to great music in a park or a beautiful corn field like I did yesterday.I believe,like the American Democratic Socialist Party,that our beloved musicians and artists should receive a salary just like a cop,teacher or any assorted state,municipal workers.Free concerts could be given all the time and artists could have the security of a regular salary with health benefits.I believe the majority of the artists would buy into this arrangement. The salaried artist could have a contract to do a number of free,quality concerts within the state with the understanding that they could also tour when that contract is fulfilled.Many artists struggle throughout their career even if they are successful like the musicians in this band.There are many lean years for outstanding artists and some end their careers due to the changing times and the control of the music business by corporations.People also spend money at free concerts and could contribute into a fund that would alleviate the taxpayer cost.Today's prices for tickets are very high for a large number of people in our communities and some artists make the majority of the money while equally good ones starve.Our salaries haven't kept up with the cost of quality entertainment.If the trend continues with distorted income inequality, our society should provide affordable entertainment that uplifts the citizens spirit. It shouldn't be another consumer item just for the wealthy to enjoy.