[Dixielandjazz] Questions about Gigging

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

Hi Kimberly:

Send me a copy of your promotional package and I will evaluate it and give 
you a full competent profile to book the act and show you where and how if they 
are really good.

An Eight piece band is difficult to book and make money with without a strong 
following and reputation already, and especially in an economically 
challenged marketplace like the Northwest which has no shortage of good Acts that are 
established.

Being a member of the Union and a $1.00 might get you a cup of coffee with a 
cosigner but don't count on that as being a selling point, you would in most 
cases be better off not even mentioning it.  It could in some case get you less 
money than you could be making for the same gig.

If the band is hot, set your minimum according to the cost of living in your 
marketplace, every players should be able to make at least as much as the cost 
of living is for the gig, however keep in mind that they are only working 
three or four hours , but may have an hour to drive to the gig and set up and an 
hour to tear down and drive home so you are actually dong a six hour gig, 
longer if you have to be there early for any reason to get in and set up, when all 
other working folks are working eight a day.  It is imperative that you know 
and establish what your band is actually worth in any given situation and 
stick to those prices and work them upwards from there.

  Don't forget rehearsal time to lear special tunes for weddings etc.  that 
too is time that should be calculated into the gig price.   Do be careful 
however to not price yourself out of the marketplace, because there will be many 
bands that do not know how to price themselves who will undercut you in a 
heartbeat to get the gig and can usually do so because they will not use eight men, 
but four five or six, and the client booking strictly on budget will buy them 
every time instead of you just because they are cheaper.

Set your opening minimum price for one hour to be the same as it is for a 
four hour gig and you will usually be pretty safe and get what you want, it then 
becomes a matter of negotiation strategy and savvy.  Always ask the potential 
client what THEIR Budget is, you will quite often be pleasantly surprised, 
when all you have to do is say yes we often make much more than that but we are 
available that date and can do it for that amount.

Whatever your lowest price for performing was is what your band will work for 
and once anybody knows that everybody will know it shortly afterwards, and 
most experienced bookers can tell by where you have played how much money you 
work for, I will tell you how to figure that out later.

Or tell them you think you can get the band to do it for them even though 
they usually make so much more because they are so popular and in demand, let 
them hear the CD and or come out to a good gig and see the band live, get a good 
video of the band playing live at a good well attended event if possible, not 
sitting in the garage rehearsing.

If you want to make top dollar look walk act and talk like you should have 
it, Be a Class act and you will be treated like a class act most of the time.

They don't have to wear uniforms but they will get a lot more respect, 
especially from corporate clients who spend the big bucks and weddings.  If you were 
getting all dressed up and spending thousands of dollars to have a beautiful 
wedding, would you appreciate it if the band showed up in dirty levis and T 
shirts.  Always give the client More than they pay for in all aspects of your 
presentation. It will come back to you ten fold.

Do Not I repeat Do not send your promo package to every Tom Dick and Harry 
who claims to be a Booking Agency.  Find the Best three and try to make an 
exclusive deal for representation with the best one who will actually give your 
band attention and promote you to his clients and others.  Look at their roster 
to see if they have a lot ofsimilar bands listed for representation, if so keep 
moving unless all those bands are working solidly for good money in your 
market.   Better with a guy who has no other act like yours to compete with you 
for the gigs and his loyalty.   This way every suitable gig that he/she finds 
will get you First call for the gig.

If you go around to all of them they will all wait for the phone to ring for 
a gig, mention your name and if the client is interested they will by you from 
the agent who will sell you the cheapest.

The Agents do not have all the jobs as is commonly believed by bands.  They 
have to go find them just like you do, don't be lazy go find them yourself and 
you take the commission, you will earn it believe me.

I have access to incredible data bases for finding gigs and can help you 
there.

How's that for starters Kid?

I have been booking and promoting bands and shows for forty years all over 
the world, from unknowns to major Stars.  It is the most difficult job in the 
world, but it can be fun from time to time, although it is usually a thankless 
job even when done properly.


That is why I book my own show exclusively, I never met anybody who could or 
would do it better.

Cheers,

Tom  Super Agent Wiggins
Saint Gabriel's Celestial Brass Band
Ambassadors of American Culture
1234 Laurel Lane Suite #1
Lafayette, California 94549 USA
1-925-952-4585
http://www.AmbassadorsofAmericanCulture.com