There is no set rule. It all depends on the contract they've signed with their label and/or producer. Typically in a band with no clear leader, band members get an equal cut. This is often true in a small band with multiple people who actually write the music. If the lead singer writes all the music and the press talks about him/her a lot more than the others, chances are very good that person gets a bigger cut.

The way the bands I have been around do it is that whoever "owns" the band gets the money and then pays his/her band members whatever the agreed upon price is. Sometimes that's an equal share, sometimes it's not. Usually, the "owner" makes all the decisions about when and where to play, song list, equipment... My guess is that Chris Dauhtry is the "owner" of the group Daugtry and gets the larger share. After all, it's his name and celebrity that makes the band. Now in cases where it's an even cut, the members would share everything and the money would be spread out evenly. This method is less common, I think.

The above answers are mostly correct. But the band member that is the writing force, and or does double duty usually gets a bigger cut. You have to remember, most of the "artists" you see, especally the pop-o-matics from American Idol are puppets. They themselves are "owned" by the conglomorate that puts on the show. It's nothing more than a marketing show. If you had a good showing on Idol, you get to be worked tagged "American Idol's your name here" for a year. If the #'s work out, you can go somewhere. Others like Bo Bice, will probably be getting his old job back at the Guitar Gallery on Valleydale Rd. in Hoover, AL. After his first year from Idol, he did a demo and tried to get produced, and nobody would touch him. The sad fact is that most "artists" are so eager to be famous that they sign on the dotted line with no sense of what is fair and equitable for themselves. Being "owned" is happening to most of the new artists, while the experienced bands like Journey and Aerosmith have learned from their mistakes with 1-way contracts and enjoy success, and ultimate say-so. Double duty, meaning playing guitar and singing lead vocals would qualify, but also being the creative force commands more of a cut. worxmusic.com myspace.comworxband