What fees are paid to the nightly entertainers?
 

We just returned from watching Scooter the DJ. While there, my wife asked me if I knew what they were paid. I have no idea; does anyone know what they are paid or is that one of the "secrets" we're not supposed to know?:shrug:

I don't know the specific amounts but the entertainers at the squares are paid on a sliding scale depending on how popular they are and how many people they draw.

Believe it or not, Scooter is one of higher paid.

What is paid to individual acts is none of our business and probably varies by act depending on popularity, group size and past experience. That is a private business transaction between the group responsible for the entertainment programs and the performing groups, just as with any other performing arts venue. I assume there is an annual budget allocation that can be found in the various financial/budget reports that are made public by the amenity/CDD/etc. from the groups responsible for funding the entertainment program. Entertainment on the squares is funded through a combination of sources including merchants, Sumter County tourist fees fund, and who knows what else.

I think the OP was just asking if anyone happened to know. I don't think he was looking for a certified copy of a contract!!

There's nothing wrong with being curious.

Especially since it's our money paying for all of this.....

Maybe it was the tone of the question..........................

If there is any tax money involved then there should be transparency and you should be able to inquire about what they were paid, as you can do for other contracts in the public sector.

Fees for this fees for that It's a shell game follow the money trail if you can

Ok....now I'm confused. I thought the music in the squares was paid for by the businesses, not by the residents through taxes or amenities. But I've been known to be wrong before - just ask my husband :smiley:

This is from an online newspaper. The link to the paper will not work on this site: Sumter County annually invests $60,000 toward nightly entertainment at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square and Brownwood Paddock Square.
And with The Villages in high season, it’s evident the investment continues to pay off, said Sumter County Administrator Bradley Arnold.
The money for nightly entertainment comes from tourism tax dollars raised primarily from hotels in the county.
“The Villages is a major tourist destination and a gateway to other attractions and venues countywide.The Villages is a good partner with the county and this partnership continues to flourish,” according to county documents detailing the arrangement.
The current contract for tourism dollars for nightly entertainment on the square between the county and The Villages runs through Sept. 30, 2014. The Villages provides a matching amount.
“While some of the attendees at the nightly entertainment are local residents, many are visitors to Sumter County seeking to sample ‘The Villages Lifestyle.’ The Villages reports that approximately 10,000 visitors stayed an average of five nights in The Villages last year as part of just one program ‘The Villages Lifestyle Preview Plan.’ The tourism tax receipts from those visits alone is evidence of the effectiveness of the nightly entertainment and other Villages programs in attracting people to visit Sumter County,” according to grant application documents originally filed in 2011.
Documents also predict that attendance in both of these venues will continue to grow.
The Villages offers entertainment from 5 to 9 p.m. daily at both Lake Sumter Landing Market Square and Brownwood Paddock Square.


Here is additional information about entertainment at the Sumter County town squares: http://sumtercountyfl.gov/AgendaCent...89?fileID=4736

http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/Agenda...89?fileID=4678

It is totally believable that Scooter the DJ would be higher paid based on the the scale of popularity. But if that sliding scale holds true how does a large band that starts playing in the squares get paid adequately? Just saw Little Jake and the Soul Searchers out of Gainesville play at Brownwood last night. Three horns, keyboard player, bass guitar, and a lead singer. I guess that maybe you have to start somewhere in a new market and work your way up the pay scale. But even that seems very subjective. BTW, they were very entertaining, and there was a nice crowd. I think they have played in SS before also, so they are on their way.

:popcorn:

Using the "tax money" so we have a right to know is just wrong. We are all subsidized, or who we work for, or tax breaks from local municipalities or any other nunmber of tax assists would then make us all subject to the transparency
clause. Since I pay for those tax assists do I have a right to see your individual financials since you benefit.....I think we would all fight that. The "curious" is abnother matter and we are all that.....but do we have a right to know...I think, and hope, not.

I am sure that popularity has a lot to do with their pay scale. Scooter the DJ is very popular and a very good entertainer. Rocky and the Rollers, Uncle Bob's Rockshop, Bobby Blackman would also make the top tier.

We have great times at the squares and personally, I do not care where the payment comes from.

Where else can you find entertainment 365 days of the year?

My understanding is that it is a combination of tourism revenue from Sumter County plus money from the downtown businesses (which I believe is a requirement).

I asked your husband and he said "All the time".

I will say it again - if tax money is involved then transparency is required. Contracts in the public arena are always open unless you can argue that the information is proprietary. Your argument is without merit.

Scooter the DJ might be popular but so is rap music. I fail to understand why either is popular. Just saying ...

Do you believe that you are entitled to see the salary of every employee of a company who is working on a contract let out by the county, state and federal government? If not, how is this different?

I am entitled to see the contracts if they are spending tax payer money. Look it up.

[/I]

they were great

I believe the entertainment at Sumter & Brownwood is made available on a GRANT (in full or in part) from Sumter County. You might be able to see the GRANT but not necessary how the entity receiving the grant doles it out.

Then again I might be wrong

It's a secret.

I think the tax is generated from the tourism industry.
Don't hotels and rentals charge a tourist tax?

http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/forms/current/dr15tdt.pdf

The Tourist Development Tax Rate for Sumter County is 2%

I think that the tax dollars are paid to the Villages entertainment department. It is used along with money from merchants around the squares and I believe some other money. The entertainment department decides who will play and how much they will be paid. I think that the amount of money that goes to the entertainment dept is known but I don't know if taxpayers have a right to know the details of the individual contracts.

As many other things in the Villages, this was all in place when we moved here. That is one of the many reasons that made us move here.
We didn't question it then and have no need to question it now. I love it.
The time to ask these questions, if they are important to someone, is before they move here.
Just sayin'.

LOL - I can believe that! Love your lighthearted humor on TOTV, tomwed. We all need that here sometimes. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving with your kids (saw that on another thread).

As Always Nonny is spot on. Leave if alone. It could wind up like the Buffalo

Entertainment is paid by a combination of venfors, merchants, and a $60,000 grant for tourism from sumter county which covers both squares in sumter county. That comes out to about $80.00 per night paid from the tax.

So you are suggesting that people not ask questions? Totally bizarre attitude to take.

It's definitely okay to ask questions. Just saying that if someone is concerned about where the money comes from for the entertainment, they probably should have asked before moving here if it's an issue.
People know about the music before moving here.

Maybe a better question would be, "Do all of the performers pay the required royalties on the songs they play?"

Does anyone remember the original question?

Actually the original question was about how much the entertainers were paid. I don't believe they were all that concerned and I suspect it was not an issue. Also, it is OK to be concerned about something after you move here and ask questions as it is impossible to anticipate every question you might have.

I seem to remember something about the venues that hire cover bands typically obtain the licensing rights for the bands they hire to play what is essentially copyrighted material. Anyone play in a band?

I only got to see 3 concerts in the Village Church on the Square before they started renovating. I remember paying $5 or $6 for remarkable talent. There were plenty of people in the audience and I was wondering [hoping actually] if the talent got all the money.
I'm afraid those 1 hour, inexpensive concerts are going to be a thing of the past. Too bad. That was one of the reasons I moved here. I enjoy sitting inside and listening quietly to all kinds of music.

It is just smart business to want to know what YOUR money is being spent for. Do the people not wanting to question it not get several bids when getting work done that they have to pay for? I think it's only fair to know what money of ours goes towards every facet of this operation.

Worring about how much the entertainers are paid and how much of what monies are used to pay them is a waste of time and effort. Even if you find out what then are you going to do about it?
How many of the posters that are so concerned have gone to one budget meeting? That's where you will find how and where money is being spent...............not whining on TOTV!

Entertainment is paid for by the businesses on the squares.