Clubs for rich rockers

Although most music marketing is directed to audiences 25 and under, it may be much more profitable to go older. Not only is there a market for clubs catering to grown up audiences, there appears to be a market for clubs accomodating equally mature musicians.

This 7/28/06 Wall Street Journal article discusses CEOs who play in rock bands on the side.

WSJ.com - CEOs That Rock: "Gregg Raybin, a former corporate lawyer in New York, helped form a 'dating service for musicians,' which is aimed at professional workers who are amateur players. The service has resulted in 20 to 30 bands in the New York area, about half of which play public gigs. Formed with a $100,000 initial investment pooled from about 25 member-partners, the organization offers match-making services and rehearsal time in midtown Manhattan for $349 a year per bandmate. Of the 250 members, about 80% are male.

"NAMM, a trade group for instrument makers and retailers, has created a program called Weekend Warriors, billed as a way to get 'non-active musicians back on stage to relive their fantasies of superstardom.' The program's 21 locations, in cities such as St. Louis, Boulder, Colo., and Louisville, Ky., provide space and instruments -- partly as a way to entice participants to buy new equipment. ...

"Taylor Guitars considers baby boomers 'the core of the business,' says Jonathan Forstot, director of marketing. Buyers over 35 account for 75% of the company's customers, while buyers over 50 account for a third of all sales ..."