Sacha, the costs open mike and I described would be the BAND's costs for getting to the bookings.

Music: Your Day Job

The posts there are mixed up as to date order, but it started with my post of 08 Jul 02 - 10:50 AM.

...I would do it just for fun, I wouldn't want to charge them for the time spent or phone calls, petrol for the car, etc...

You asked us to share what we have learned, usually the hard way. :~)What some of us experienced oldtimes are trying to tell you is that it probably does seem that way now, but the amount of work and expenses you will incur, on their behalf, are BOUND to make you feel a bit differently as you go along.

And again, I would urge you to write out the agreement you have with them, because if you are going to make arrangments in their name-- which they have to make good to protect their reputation under that name-- it all needs to be very, very clear. You WILL end up negotiating fees. You will NOT get booking folk to agree to phone calls back and forth to check if what you say is OK with the band. You will need to jump on every opportunity even to speak to them-- the honest truth is that they are too busy to care that you are being a good friend. It is a BUSINESS-- if not to you or the band yet, it IS one, very much so, to the people who will book them and present them and pay them. If you want bookers' attention you will have to impress them as a fellow professional, not as an eager amateur. They don't need your help-- the bookers are drowning in people who want to come play at their venue. Their interest is not in the music so much as it is in how easily they can get their job (booking) done, and how reliable the band and its agents will be.

You asked what is involved-- that is what is involved.

~Susan