How NOT To Request A Gig

Subject: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 09:34 PM

As many of you already know, I book the performers for the Borderline Folk Music house concerts in Rockland County, NY. Yesterday morning I open my computer only to discover that my e-mail "In Box" is completely filled to capacity. Some wanabee performer who I never heard of before, sent me a bunch of very large unsolicited WAV & MP3 files that completely maxed me out. To complicate matters I do not have cable but rather the slowest and cheapest dial up internet connection. It would have taken me 4 hours to download everything that he sent and tied up my computer for most of the work day. This was a real "chutzpah" to say the least. I promptly deleted all the files and e-mailed this joker that this was not the best way to make friends and that he better send me a complete CD by snail mail if he wanted his material to get a fair hearing.

                                                 SOL ZELLER

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Peace
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 09:36 PM

There is a reason some mammals eat their young . . . .

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: LukeKellylives (Chris)
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 09:37 PM

You can't blame the poor guy. He probably doesn't have the money for the CD. I tried to burn one, but my computer couldn't do it. Give the guy a couple of songs worth of time. It'd mean a lot to him.

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 09:45 PM

Your reaction is completely understandable. Can you get past it?

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Peace
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 09:50 PM

Sol, the guy screwed up. An e-mail asking permission to send the files would have been nice, but stuff happens.

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 10:04 PM

Well, I did once pull a boner even bigger than that-- but they were very kind. They not only booked us the year following, they had us for another event the year after that.

And no I will not say what I did! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 10:08 PM

I only ever booked ONE guy who phoned me up and started the conversatio -" I've phoned you so that you can book me into your club"
And he was an old friend !

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 10:09 PM

Unless they say they are a personal friend of Faulkner-- don't book 'em.

~Susan

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Jim Lad
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 10:56 PM

If he can harness his enthusiasm, he may just turn out to be one of the greats. Nice that you didn't slam the door on him.

"chutzpah".... can I use that?

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:06 PM

Friend of FaUlkner !?? ANY TIME !! lol

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 12:06 AM

I only hope that when I finally do receive this guy's CD that the genre matches my definition of traditional accoustic folk music. Eight out of the 10 CDs that I receive every week do not. I try to explain to these wannabees that just because you unplug your guitar does not make your music accoustic folk. But yes, every CD that I receive does get a fair and complete listening to even though I usually know after the first 8 bars whether or not this performer will fit my venue.

                                                SOl

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Mudlark
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 12:21 AM

The folk club that I work with has gotten so picky they only want CDs of "live" performance, as studio work often so different it's not really representative.

It's a jungle out there!

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 02:39 AM

I am told that the UK norm now for getting bookings for electric bands is "No Demos. Just send us the link to your myspace".

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Darowyn
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 02:52 AM

That is exactly what the owner of our local (Rock) venue in Worcester says, Richard.
Mudlark's comment on a demo being representative of what is actually going to be heard on the night is true as well.
If I wanted to sound the same as I do on CD, I'd have to use a backing track on account of my inability to play five instruments at once while singing- and that would be several steps too far for a trad gig!
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 03:57 AM

Since you ask - never try to identify any person perceived to be more senior than who it is whose gift the gig actually is, and include them in the same email requesting the gig. It pisses them off no end when they find out, and is likely to rebound.
(No names or further clues on this occasion, but I know him to be a Mudcatter!)

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: GUEST,John Robinson
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 04:37 AM

There is a tendency on Mudcat to describe every non-trad artist as a "wanabee". Is Joni Mitchell a "wanabee"?

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 06:56 AM

I wanaabee 8(

Sal

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: GUEST,John Robinson
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 07:01 AM

I wannabe an eight open bracket. Well, I guess it's a career.

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 06:41 PM

{:~)8<=

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: GUEST,Dartford Warbler
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 07:34 PM

Send an email to the organiser saying you WANT a booking on May 1st 2007, when on the club website diary, every date is booked until December 2007 !

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Jim Lad
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 07:53 PM

Ask them to take all the red Smarties out.

Subject: RE: How NOT To Request A Gig
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Feb 07 - 01:56 AM

I agree with Dartford Warbler -

I get a tad annoyed when folks ask for dates that have been published as filled, or dates other than 4th Saturdays Feb to Nov!! We can't change our dates, nor can we put on extra concerts. And to me 'Act TBC' means I'm in contact with someone & awaiting confirmation, not that the date is free for the enquirer to have.

I also got a tad annoyed at the agent who wanted their act fitted in on a booked night. I certainly was not going to cut down the time & money for the advertised performers, so I suggested they could do a floor spot. The agent didn't accept that offer!

Again I got a tad annoyed with the bloke who was a famous(?) rock'n'roller who wanted fame in the folk world. I'd never heard of him (which doesn't mean he wasn't famous), but he didn't want to do floor spots, he wanted to headline. That must be a rock'n'roll term.

Same week another bloke called for info on folks clubs & how to get known. We had a long conversation & I gave him addresses & websites & suggested he do floor spots around the clubs. So they did a spot with us & everyone went wow, and they got a booking for another club that night. More floor spots elsewhere led to more bookings.

Then there was the call from America which arrived at 8am. A woman said she represented whatsit & launched into a thorough investigation about no. of seats, payment to acts etc. I mentioned the time & she did apologise cos she'd forgotten daylight savings. Again, I'd never heard of the artist, & fortunately our venue was too small for this act.

sandra