[TPIN] amateurs/playing for free

[vglockwood at comcast.net]

     Wow.  It seems we are constantly in a "play vs pay" struggle and here's a perfect example.  You want to do it for free 'cause, damn it, ya just wanna play!  But, then it becomes expected and all your work is for naught.  
      I ran into a similar issue at our church where it was proposed that they do a DJ night instead of hiring our band for the (now) annual Valentine's Day Big Band Party.  Since I'm in the position of being in the leadership committee at the church and also being in the band, we still got the gig - but the issue is always that the band takes the majority of the profits, not the church.  On top of that, for the band, since it's not a big pay, we usually just roll it back into the band for subs, equipment, music, etc.  (gig is this Sat 2/10 btw - y'all come!)
      As for your issue, Travis, it seems like the best suggestion would be for them to make a road trip to you.  You are already playing the gig and they would just be more patrons for the venue and makes you look good.  Plus, then you are not making an additional effort to set up in their location, rely on their equipment / electrical set up, etc.  It's also kind of a marketing issue, believe it or not.  If the event is well hyped, there will probably be a good turnout.  Do an informal "poll" at the mike - "You like what you hear?  What if we came to your studio?"  and see if you get wild applause and cheers.  Chat with some of them during the breaks and see if they'd pay a $10 cover.
      You could then propose a "reciprocal" gig, if there is interest, to go to their studio - they will have already heard you and know that it would be a good event as opposed to the other bands (perhaps) that your friend has tried and lost money on.  
      Just a thought!  - Gin

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Travis Wilson <travisw at pdq.net> 

> ok guys, i have a serious question. One that arises out of the 
> conversation about folks not playing for free. A(nd believe me, I think 
> that is a pretty tough question that involves a lot of issues. ) 
> 
> I have kept this group informed of the progress of the House Band for 
> the Taco Stand. The group is alive and having a great time. At our gig 
> last night, a friend suggested that we contact a local dance studio and 
> have them do a field trip to the club where we play, or us go to their 
> studio (it is plenty large and they hosts lots of parties) and play some 
> real swing jazz dance music for them. 
> 
> I thought it was a great idea. I used to go to this dance studio and 
> take all sorts of lessons. It is kind of a unique, very inexpensive 
> studio that is a real Houston tradition. I have know, slightly, the 
> owner because of my involvement. 
> 
> so last night I wrote him and proposed that either his real swing dance 
> fans come to the club we play at, or we come play at one of their 
> parties. He wrote back early this morning with a very nice reply. Here 
> is his what he said: 
> 
> 
> > "Your group sounds like fun. I have to tell you though that I hired 4 bands 
> > in 2005 and lost money on every one of them. My students simply do not 
> > support live music. They would rather pay $5 and dance to DJ music." 
> and this from a group that LOVES to dance, loves music. 
> 
> now the question. If the problem is his people won't pay enough to allow 
> him to hire a band, and he has made a serious effort to do so, and our 
> band thinks it would be great fun for us to go to his club and play for 
> an evening dance party, and we are willing to do it at a very low cost, 
> is that something that folks think is acceptable? 
> 
> There are many issues here, but one of those real issues is that our 
> guys would have a great time at this place playing. I know the 
> atmosphere and it would be incredibly fun for us to do it. Do we pass 
> that up because the owner has found out he cannot afford to pay a real 
> cost for a band? 
> 
> this is in no way a rhetorical question. I am a bit at a loss on what to 
> do. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated 
> 
> Travis 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
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