[Dixielandjazz] Re: New gig (was minority musicians, waste of time music)

[Bill Haesler]

Dear Elazar,
You ask: >Anybody have experience with what to expect when starting a weekly gig
in a new place? How long might it take to get a group of groupies who come hear
you regularly? What about paying the band for performing to a small number of
customers?<
My experience (with OKOM bands in Australian pubs since 1970) is that:
1.  It takes at least 6 continuous weeks to build up a following. Make the owner
aware (politely) of this from the start.
2.  You will have good and poor attendances, and will not be able to work out
why. So don't bother.
3.  DO NOT take responsibility for bringing in ANY of your friends or ANY
customers. Hopefully they will all turn up regularly. But that is not part of
your job. Which is simply to play and entertain. The number of customers is the
owner's problem. Lack of regular patrons could be due to indifferent service or
so-so food, and nothing to do with the music. Encourage the owner to bring in
HIS friends. 
(In our current weekly gig, which has lasted over 6 years, a lot of our OKOM
mates do not attend because the beer/drinks are sold at tourist (25% higher)
prices. We get 'em half price. Ho, ho.
4.  Encourage the person who has hired you to advertise, however modestly.
Poster(s), word of mouth. Whatever. If the public does not know you are there,
they can't come.
5.  Set up within the establishment where you can be seen and heard. That brings
in the passers-by, tourists and jazz lovers.
6.  NEVER work for a low fee. Always go for 'union' rates, as a minimum. It is
almost impossible to get an increase, but easier to volunteer to 'help out' by
taking a cut. 
7.  If free (or low price) food or drinks are offered, do not include them as
part of the musical fee. They are a separate bonus. If patronage slows down you
can cut out eating and drinking.
8.  Always be happy and friendly, even if there are only a handful of people
there. They are probably there because you are.
*I do not think you need to be told that last bit. Going by your interesting
posts over the years, from a difficult part of our mad world, you have already
shown (with your Ministry Of Jazz) that you know how to dispense OKOM-style
happiness.* 
There you are. From an oldie. Probably everything you already knew. 
But you did ask! 
8>)
Very kind regards,
Bill.