Watching the documentary ‘Hargrove’ was rough. Roy was an absolute master musician—one of the best to do it—but like too many musicians, he didn’t have his business straight.I see it all the time—phenomenal musicians who pour their entire lives into the music, only to end up broke, sick, and relying on benefit concerts just to cover medical bills. No solid health insurance. No will. No healthcare proxy. No durable power of attorney. No estate plan. No strategy for the music they created that still brings in money. Their intellectual property keeps generating income—but not for them or their families. It’s maddening. It’s avoidable. And honestly, I’m tired of watching it happen to musicians who’ve given everything to their craft, brought joy to so many, and still end up with nothing to show for it.
Musicians are offered pay for gigs that haven’t kept pace with inflation for decades but keep taking the gigs. At this point in my career, I can’t justify taking the same rates I was offered back in 1993, so I kindly pass on them. I always offer them to the next generation—the ones eager to play, gain experience, and get that “exposure.” I get it—I was there once.
But…if I could tell young musicians anything, it’d be this: think like a businessperson first. Before you play a single note, know exactly what the gig pays, when you’re getting paid, and where that money is going. Understand the contract (or lack of one), who owns the rights to any recordings, and whether there are residuals. Know if you’re classified as an employee or an independent contractor and what that means for your taxes. Make sure you have solid health insurance, a financial plan, and a system for tracking every dollar you earn. Because at the end of the day, nobody’s looking out for you but you.
Roy should have been set for life. Instead, his manager ended up controlling his music, and Roy had nothing to show for everything he gave to this industry. That’s not just sad—it’s infuriating. Music schools will keep teaching kids how to play, but I want to make sure they know how to survive.
Clayton Craddock founded Broadway Drumming 101, an in-depth online platform offering specialized mentorship and a carefully curated collection of resources tailored for aspiring and professional musicians.
Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. As a skilled sub, he’s contributed his talents to Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. He has also appeared on major shows, including The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Borle, Norm Lewis, Deniece Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.
Clayton proudly endorses Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.
Learn more about Clayton Craddock here: www.claytoncraddock.com
Another short documentary to see: