Empowering New Orleans Musicians: A Call for Fair Compensation

New Orleans is renowned for its vibrant music scene, with musicians serving as the cultural heartbeat of the city. However, many of these artists struggle to make ends meet, despite their invaluable contributions to the city's allure. The New Orleans City Council is now pushing for legislation that would guarantee fair wages for musicians performing at city-sponsored events, aiming to address the longstanding issue of inadequate compensation for these cultural ambassadors.

Amplifying the Voices of New Orleans' Musical Trailblazers

The Struggle to Survive as a New Orleans Musician

Danovon Calhoun-Bettis, a local musician who goes by the name Bettis, eloquently captures the challenges faced by his peers. "It's a struggle, literally a struggle. It's a struggle day-to-day to be a musician in this city," he laments. Bettis reveals that musicians in New Orleans often spend upwards of 50% of their income on rent alone, leaving little room for other essential expenses like food, health insurance, and other basic necessities. "If we're spending the majority of money on rent, we're not including food or health insurance or things of that nature," he explains, highlighting the financial strain that musicians endure.

The Disconnect Between Cultural Significance and Compensation

Bettis argues that it is inherently unfair for musicians to contribute so significantly to the cultural fabric of New Orleans, yet not receive fair compensation for their efforts. "There's no way you can have the lifeline of the city providing you everything you need while not providing the basis of what you need," he asserts, underscoring the disconnect between the city's reliance on its musical heritage and the lack of support for the artists who sustain it.

Preserving the Heartbeat of New Orleans

Councilwoman Helena Moreno recognizes the vital role that musicians play in the city's identity and is spearheading the push for legislative change. "Look, if there need to be budgetary requirements, then the council will make budgetary adjustments," she declares, signaling the city's commitment to ensuring fair compensation for its musical trailblazers.

Raising the Bar for Musician Compensation

The proposed ordinance would require each band member performing at city-sponsored events to be paid 0 per hour, a significant increase from the previous rate of per musician. Councilwoman Moreno emphasizes the importance of valuing the city's musicians, stating, "The airport is paying, where they are paying 5 for a musician for three hours... We're going from per musician at the airport to 0 per musician now."

A Necessary Step Towards Equity and Sustainability

Bettis, while expressing his love for his city, underscores the need for musicians to be able to afford to live in New Orleans, just like the rest of the community. "We lead this nation in music. We can go everywhere and be appreciated at top dollar. We want to be able to stay in our city and do that," he says, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the city's musical talent can thrive and remain rooted in the community they have helped shape.The proposed ordinance is set to be voted on by the full New Orleans City Council on July 25th, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to support and empower the city's musical icons. As the city's cultural landscape continues to evolve, this legislation represents a crucial step towards recognizing the invaluable contributions of New Orleans' musicians and ensuring their ability to sustain themselves within the vibrant community they have helped create.