You're PROBABLY not going to like my answers, but this is a realistic viewpoint from someone who's been doing what you want to do for almost 30 years!

1. What does it typically cost to tour a band? Meals, transportation, lodging…how do I go about finding those figures?

>>>A lot! Touring solo, as I usually do, can cost up to $100 a day, though usually, I can keep it to about $35 daily.

2. As this band will be touring under my name and promoting my CD…I'm assuming that I have more financial responsibility than if we all had equal interest. So what specifically am I responsible for?

>>>Everything! If it's "your" project only (promoting YOUR CD), then consider your bandmates as "employees", and look after them right!

3. Keeping in mind my aspirations, the eager publicist and booking agent, how do I start out?

>>>Playing ANYWHERE you can...for terrible $$$, usually...right now you're establishing yourself...no-one knows who you are! Until you are VERY well-known, it doesn't get much better.

What size venues should I play first, and how do I go from the initial venues to larger venues in a short amount of time?

>>>Define "short amount of time"...Realistically, plan on this taking years!

More specifically, how fast do I return to a given area and how much to I increase the venue size each time?

>>>Why not start out locally (your city), then expand to 50 miles radius, then (eventually) 100 miles radius..in a few years, go to regional, eventually bordering states.

Return once a year...It can't happen over-night!

4. At what size venue does the income surpass the expenses? (for a band of four).

>>> When you are making $1000 each night.

How do you carry the expenses until you reach that size venue? or How can I make this financially viable for other band members (make it worth their while) until I reach the point where I am making a profit?

>>>By having a day job to keep you going...don't plan to make any money for a few years...all you make will go into paying your band, maintaining the "band vehicle"(typically a Ford Econoline or similar), maintaining the PA (very few venues have their own PA, and of those, a lot have crappy systems!)

Or, get used to gigging solo and eating Ramen Noodles!

5. How long is a typical performance (I'm talking about the undivided attention venue, not the restaurant/pub thing?)

>>>2-3 sets of 45 - 60 minutes...BTW, the "undivided attention venues" are VERY few and far between!

How long are typical sets? How long is a typical repertoire?

>>>Better know at least 100 popular tunes...VERY, VERY few gigs are out there for "original only" bands UNTIL your VERY, VERY famous!

After all these years, I know about 500...and often am glad I do!

(I have mostly just done short performances.)

6. What is entailed in a successful publicity/promotion campaign for a performance (both standard and innovative ideas?) How do you coordinate radio play, reviews and articles so that it all happens in the right timing for the performance? How long in advance do you need to set that promotion up?

>>>You need to 1st cultivate friendships w/ EVERY media person yopu can...then keep on their minds by keeping them informed of EVERYTHING you do...I put in about 5 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days each year on promotions!

If you want to be successful, you will, too!

7. How can I afford to do the promotion and pay band members if I am not breaking even?

>>>That's the tricky part! I get around it by primarily playing solo, getting all the free promotion I can, etc.

8. How/where do I find band members? How can I approach them – especially very professional musicians – to make them see that this is an exciting and financially viable option for them (especially when I can't afford to cover all expenses from the start?

>>>You won't be able to...until you CAN GUARRANTEE them X amount of $$$ each and every gig (or by the week)...all pros have met kids like yourself w/ shining eyes and lots of aspiration...but they need $$$, not promises!

9. How do you transport instruments and equipment?

>>>Van, station wagon, bus...

10. What is the best form of transportation for a tour?

>>>I like my bus, as I can sleep in it, thus saving some travel expenses.

11. How do you go about setting up a tour (that is…scheduling, organizing, etc…?)

Hustling about 6 months to a year BEFORE the tour takes off!

12. How long is a typical tour?

As long as you want it...these days, I go out for 3 weeks, come home for 2, go back out for three.

BTW, if you're married/involved, you DO need to consider what this lifestyle will do to your relationship...I'm on wife #3, and am blessed that she's 100% behind my career choice...the 1st 2 thought they were, too, but Reality raised it's Ugly Head!

13. Does the band need to already have made a name for themselves (Yes), or can a top booking agent help unknown bands become known? (Why would they? They're trying to make $$$ off of you!) Do you know what a top booking agent's criteria is for who they will work with? (Yes...who will make that agent lotsa $$$ IMMEDIATELY by having a "Top 40 "commercial" sound!)

14. Do we need a band manager? At what point would I need to get one? Where would I find a good one?

>>>No, you need to learn to manage yourself...right now, you have nothing, so 20% is still nothing!

15. What kind of contracts do I need? What specifically should be on the contract?

>>>Rather than bum you out further, may I suggest you buy a few books on the music industry? Try these (all can be gotten from Amazon):

Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook: 201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands
by Bob Baker

How I Make $100,000/year in the Music Business (Without a Record Label, Manager, or Booking Agent)
by David Hooper, Lee Kennedy

The Touring Musician: A Small Business Approach to Booking Your Band on the Road
by Hal Galper

All You Need to Know About the Music Business
by Donald S. Passman

What They'll Never Tell You About the Music Business: The Myths, Secrets, Lies (& a Few Truths)
by Peter M. Thall

Sell Your Music : How To Profitably Sell Your Own Recordings Online
by Mark W.


The Ultimate Survival Guide to the New Music Industry: A Handbook for Hell
by Justin Goldberg

Before you try to be a "road dog", read EVERY one of these...you'll have a MUCH better chance of succeeding!

Best of luck to you.