I might add 99% percent of the time a non-payment issue is due to the band screwing up. True local club owners, bookers, etc. tend to be hardnosed but they are always fair, and when they are right they usually dig I their heels. Below are a few of the legitimate …
Read More »Something every Roadie should read
Sure being a roadie is the toughest job in the Music Business, but keep you head up, you just might be a Rock Star one day. – David Gilmour was a roadie for Pink Floyd before Nick Mason asked him if he would be interested in joining the band as …
Read More »Treat Every Show like it’s your Last
Many years ago I went and saw a popular local band play at a small club in downtown Seattle then called the OFF RAMP now called the GRACELAND. I convinced a prominent label representative who was in town at the time for a local Music Festival to come out and check out the band. I …
Read More »Right Before the Gig
So you’ve arrived at the set, set up and performed a blinding gig to a lively and appreciative crowd. All that remains is packing up equipment and collecting your fee right? Guess again. Over the years I’ve seen many bands fail to do the following immediately after a show. You …
Read More »Pre-Booking Advice
Below are just a few hints and reminders for anyone aiming to get their own gigs by telephone or “cold calling.” For most new bands don’t forget you have to start somewhere – so this article mostly applies to you. – Make a top to bottom venue listing within your locale and adjacent regions. – …
Read More »Join a Booking Agency
So there you were, your band was ready to play a smash mouth gig, a popular watering hole on a Saturday night. The music has been rehearsed, the equipment leased, the stage arrangements all set up. But three weeks out, the club owner discovered that tickets hadn’t been sold, and …
Read More »Booking Letter (example)
I have supplied you an example of booking letters you should check out. There is a comprehensive Entertainment Agencies contract sample and a very basic letter used by acts/bands/venues to confirm bookings, both of which can be adapted to your requirements. *** NOTE – The Contract and Booking letter is …
Read More »Hitting the Local Club Circuit
Being in a band and playing for fun is great if you have no aspirations for quitting your day job. But if the dream is to make a living in the music industry, you need to be play live period! Attacking the local live circuit is a great place to start. In …
Read More »If you suck at running sound – please quit!
If you suck at running sound – please quit! Sorry if I come across as being emotional about this next topic – but I cannot emphasize how critical running sound is. The issue is live sound. Some clubs around our locale no doubt use good gear. Some don’t. Some Indies bands …
Read More »Hiring your own Sound Guy
A lot of bands debate on whether or not to hire a sound guy or do the setup themselves. If were talking quality venues, most professionals will in fact bring their own guy on tour with them. This keeps thing consistent show to show. If you don’t bring your own …
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