A musician in my town wants me to play bass for a fund raiser, However never calls me to play for pay?

Next time tell him you are willing to play, but to please provide you with a receipt/invoice for the work as a donation, so you may have documentation of "professional fees" rendered. He will get the hint then.

I use a formula by which I make decisions about fund raisers. I generally play one fund raiser for every three to four pay gigs I go out on. Sometimes it fluctuates, but it gives me a concrete reason for accepting or declining a particular job. Also, I ask them to pay me for the fund raiser anyway, then I donate the money back to the cause. This is crucial towards maintaining your asking price. It also gives you a respectable amount of income to write off on your taxes at the end of the year if you itemize! (and if you are a musician, you pretty much have to itemize if you want to get any money back at the end of the year) hope this helps.

Just don't expect to get paid for a fund raiser. If they had to pay the musicians, then they don't raise as much money, do they? It's really more courteous to play a fundraiser for free, provided it doesn't interfere with anything else you have to do.

My number one rule is NEVER play free. You not only set your own standard, you make it that much more difficult on others who do this for a living when you do freebies. People will ALWAYS pay for good music. It has taken centuries to get the standard of pay to the level it is - and I think we all agree, it's too low - so if you play, get your pay. If you want to donate your wages, nothing is stopping you and you can donate it wherever YOU want. If you play for free you are taking money away from a professional musician.

If it's convenient for you to do the fund raiser, do it; if not then you have to decline.

While you're discussing this gig, be up front with him about wanting paid sessions. Be nice, and be open. "I like working with you & so-and-so, and I hope you'll help me get some paying gigs." "I'd like to be part of the group that plays at Restaurant on Thursdays."

If he doesn't want you for paid work, at least he'll feel less free to use you for the freebies.

Play real bad.