Bookings at Community Events

Subject: Bookings at Community Events
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 04 - 12:57 PM

Not clubs, coffeehouses, etc. Community events, where the invite comes from someone who may have little or no experience booking music.

Have you ever been treated as a professional?

Best experience? Worst experience? Best advice on heading off bullshit?

If you could make a "Ten Commandments" for (amateur) booking agents, what would be on YOUR list?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Bookings at Community Events
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 12 May 04 - 11:22 PM

Dear Susan,

    Margaret and I have had some experience with community events where the person doing the booking has not done much with performers. We have generally been treated as professionals if we've been paid well. Not treated very well at all if we haven't been. I've found it helps to be very clear about what they want from us and I try to be as clear with what we can actually do. If it turns out that what they want is not something we can provide, I tell them. Be clear about sound systems. If they say they have one, make sure it's not a crappy one. If they don't know, offer to bring one. Make sure they understand the concept of set up and take down time, if you are setting up your own sound. If they ask about how much money you want. Ask about who is the sponsoring organization and figure out how deep their pockets are (if you're splitting the bill with a string quartet, you can bet that they aren't working for free, and neither should you). Sometimes community events are run by folks who have no concept of stage managing, so be prepared if there are other acts on the bill for the time to be a little flexible. If you are under some time constraint, spell it out. If you want more specifics, please pm me, or send me an email (I still have the same email address that you have written to me before). Not liking surprises when playing, I try to find out as much as I can in advance.

--Phil

Subject: RE: Bookings at Community Events
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 04 - 11:27 PM

Thanks, Phil. I'll mull some questions and either post them or PM them.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Bookings at Community Events
From: TS
Date: 12 May 04 - 11:27 PM

Have never done the boking but, God, I've been booked by all the above, and I assure you, the small town "festival organizer" is a real treat compared to the Pub owner who owns 5 pubs in a 100 km radius. So fun to work with, so fun to work for. Got the job to participate in a "First Annual" event based on nothing more then one reference. Ended up sending a CD after we got the knod. So greatful, so kind. The town didnt even have a motel to put us in, but we got a bed. Absolute treat to work for these people. I would do anything to have a gig trip based on nothing but outdoor festivals with people who appreciate you playing and dont bitch about the bar not selling enough beer!....Slainte!

Subject: RE: Bookings at Community Events
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 13 May 04 - 01:25 AM

I echo everything Phil said, Susan.
Plus, make sure they specify what the PA system is. I usually travel with a very good system myself. I was once assured by a community event organizer that they had a great sound system which turned out to be a boombox with a mic. Thank God I had mine in the car.
Specify indoors or outdoors. (insect repellent in summer).

If outdoors and it's an evening gig, is there adequate lighting to see the performer?
I've ended up doing a few jobs in the dark, so now I carry a small lighting rig just in case.

Are there plenty of electrical outlets for the amps, lights, etc?
If it rains can the event be moved indoors quickly?

Lodging or a motel for the performer.

Include pretty detailed directions with the contract.

Is it OK to sell CDs? Does the venue take a percentage of CD sales?
We like to know this ahead of time, and not be surprised when the organizer comes up for their cut at the end of the gig.

I'll probably think of more later.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Bookings at Community Events
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 04 - 10:53 AM

I think bookings in one's own hometown must be the worst. If you are local, you must not be very good, because if you were good you'd be invited to travel to another county!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Bookings at Community Events
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 13 May 04 - 12:04 PM

The curse of the "prophet in his own land!"
I headline at festivals, concerts and shows all across the country, but the local thinking where I live is, "he's local, he doesn't have to travel, everybody knows him round here, so we don't have to pay him."
Which is why I don't work locally very much any more.
Back to the thread - publicity, publicity, publicity!
Even if it's a local community gig, advertise it outside your own community.
Flyers, radio or TV PSA spots, ads in the local free papers, radio or newspaper interviews with the performer most of whom are only too glad to promote an upcoming gig.
Give a few pairs of tickets away.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Bookings at Community Events
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 13 May 04 - 12:14 PM

Thread creep -

a co-worker saw Seamus's On the Rocks CD on my desk the other day - and went bonkers raving about him.

Subject: RE: Bookings at Community Events
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 04 - 12:31 PM

Well, Seamus does make people bonkers, that's certainly true. :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Bookings at Community Events
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 13 May 04 - 05:25 PM

If you're at a community event and your set is just before the local dance school's, end your set on time (even if the performer before you didn't). You don't want to tick off every parent and grand-parent that has come out to see their kids. Also, if I didn't state it before be very specific about when you're to be paid. If there's going to be a delay, I like to know about it before the event, not during.
   Good advice from Larry Rand to us years ago was: play for good causes for free. Otherwise, get a good buck, otherwise your performance will not be valued. A lot of people organizing these sorts of events are nice and well meaning people. They may not be aware that as a performer you have some different priorities. We played at Sci-fi event a few years back. I was expecting a check right at the night of our performance. I was told that we'd get paid the next morning if the organizer got up in time, or she'd mail us the check. I finally sent a letter a month later, which ultimately resulted in a check. I could have used the money after the performance (I never have liked surprises).