Minnesota Musician: ‘Please Stop’ Begging Online For Money

I woke up this morning to a social post from a Minnesota musician that got to the point in a hurry: stop begging online for money for your band or your next project. While I'm unsure as to what may have caused the musician to write the post, it does hit close to home, as I think many of us are struggling with how expensive everything is getting.

Jake Nelson Music, posted the message in regards to 'begging' last night.

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The post doesn't call out any one band in particular, but the constant money grab from bands and people alike online has seemed to reach its peak as we now live in the post-pandemic world.

To me, if you have a hobby/side-hustle and you can't afford to do it, you should probably just stop doing it. "But it takes money to make money", <-- Don't be that person if you had the money to spend on it you wouldn't be 'begging' for it, so that isn't a conversation starter.

I had the opportunity on Friday to talk with the folks at Catholic Charities of St. Cloud, and we talked about how tough it is for local non-profits with funding uncertainty looming with the federal government, and wondering where that help will come from.

Right now people are 'cinching' up their belts as the costs to live have gone up across the board. We are all experiencing the continued sticker shock as we go about our normal lives, and now we are hearing that the cost to buy a vehicle, or repair one, will most likely go up in the next few weeks.

I can understand Jake Nelson's frustration at the constant money grab; it seems like I am constantly being hit up for something by someone, but at the same time, he could choose not to give, and follow his advice and just 'scroll' along.

I had a great back-and-forth conversation with Jake, and we understand that bands and people need to promote what they are doing, but let's stop there, don't make it an ask, let's make music and have fun.

If you aren't having fun anymore, why are you doing it?

Have we reached peak e-begging?