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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Hopefully a tip or two below may be of help. I put this together as on many occasions a forum member will ask some advice on getting started, or in many cases like mine re-started in playing live gigs. And more recently in response to a couple of threads pointing out the pitfalls of getting live gigs (especially solo & duo gigs) in today’s economy.
While YMMV and because of the "hire on the cheap" attitude of many club owners these days the following would be my game plan if I were just starting to seek live gigs tomorrow.
#1. Retirement Communities - Check out the internet to them in your area.
a. Because they are so many of them.
b. You can get steady gigs instantly.
c. Many book their monthly acts for a year in advance.
d. They all have entertainment budgets.
e. The crowds are fantastic.
f. Your efforts will be appreciated
g. Great venues to try out new material.
#2. Corporate Functions - Every business in your area is a potential gig.
a. The pay is great.
b. Usually 1-2 gigs a year.
c. Usually 2 - 2 1/2 hour gigs.
#3. Fraternal Organizations - Again use the internet as they are in every neighborhood.
a. The pay is great.
b. Usually 2 - 2 1/2 hour gigs.
c. Great audiences!
#4. Private Parties - Explain how they can get a live musician for less than a dj.
a. The best payday of all the above.
b. The hiring individual is the easiest to work with.
c. You will meet these contacts at other gigs if you network.
#5. Gig Salad - I have a free account with Gig Salad and I get anywhere from 5 - 10 solid leads per year. So I figure my "0" dollar cost has paid off big time here.
Hopefully this info will help those who would like to get back playing live if for nothing else just to get them started with that first step. Also keep in mind dj's get 100.00 - 150.00 per hour in my neck of the woods, so I play that as a plus to hire a live musician for the same pricing again your mileage may vary.
Later,
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Joined: Oct 2008
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great ideas Danny!
I'm considering getting one of those vehicle wraps (professionally printed full vehicle advertisement... I'm sure you've seen them)
They're a bit pricey, but they really get a lot of attention and because your vehicle moves, you'll actually get much more exposure than if you paid for a billboard
other venues:
family reunions
class reunions (great crowd for all those oldie's you know)
specialty gigs (if you are clever at writing songs quickly, you can market them as part of a retirement roast, corporate roast, political conventions... people WILL kick in money to get a few laughs at somebody else's expense)
As stated before: Baby boomers just started to retire, and they're looking for things to do. They grew up listening to live music. They'll came back if you can convince a few local businesses to host a "boomer night with the oldies"
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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Apr 2010
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We're looking to do some Hospice gigs. Most of the artists we cover are dead, so we thought it would be apropos. 
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Pat,
I use a small 4' x 8' x 6' utility trailer wrapped with graphics for my "other" business as you stated it is like a moving billboard and has paid for itself may times over already. Great Idea!
Later,
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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Quote:
We're looking to do some Hospice gigs. Most of the artists we cover are dead, so we thought it would be apropos.
Good idea, but if you are looking for paying gigs I am not sure these cats have a budget, but it would be a great place to do some Good Samaritan work where you can also work the kinks out of some new material.
Here is a GREAT STARTING POINT and as I pointed out if you are just getting back into the swing of things these venues can give you steady work creating a base from which you can expand into the coroprate and private party circuit.
Break A Leg,
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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Quote:
Quote:
We're looking to do some Hospice gigs. Most of the artists we cover are dead, so we thought it would be apropos.
Good idea, but if you are looking for paying gigs I am not sure these cats have a budget, but it would be a great place to do some Good Samaritan work where you can also work the kinks out of some new material.
Here is a GREAT STARTING POINT and as I pointed out if you are just getting back into the swing of things these venues can give you steady work creating a base from which you can expand into the coroprate and private party circuit.
Break A Leg,
Uhhh... I was joking Danny.
Regards,
Bob
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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Mar 2004
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OP
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Posts: 6,705 |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
We're looking to do some Hospice gigs. Most of the artists we cover are dead, so we thought it would be apropos.
Good idea, but if you are looking for paying gigs I am not sure these cats have a budget, but it would be a great place to do some Good Samaritan work where you can also work the kinks out of some new material.
Here is a GREAT STARTING POINT and as I pointed out if you are just getting back into the swing of things these venues can give you steady work creating a base from which you can expand into the coroprate and private party circuit.
Break A Leg,
Uhhh... I was joking Danny.
Regards,
Bob
Gotcha Bib, I am awake now . . . but I was not joking as I actually have played some music for the terminally ill, especially dementia and Alzheimer patients . . . I guess the old ham in me sees everyone as a potential audience.
Later,
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I use to play at a hospital for blind children, but it was for charity. They loved every minute of it and me too!
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Post your own Tips and Tricks here
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Joined: Apr 2010
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#5. Gig Salad - I have a free account with Gig Salad and I get anywhere from 5 - 10 solid leads per year. So I figure my "0" dollar cost has paid off big time here." Thanks for the lead on Gig Salad, Danny. It looks like something we can use for 90dB. And I do like the "free" membership part! Regards, Bob & Penny
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
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