[Dixielandjazz] Uniforms & Agents - Redux

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

Hi Steve:

I worked a few jobs for an agent like that,  how do you think I got all my 
uniforms, ha ha.

Everytime this schmuck called he wanted something different,

A gospel Show with GOLD Choir Robes for the band and twenty singers.
I could not rent them so I made him buy them which I now own and use for the 
Daint Gabriel's Celestial Brass Band and the Pearly Gate Singers Show.
Cost his client some big bucks for that day too.   It was actually a Big 
Funeral/Life Celebration affair for some wealthy guy that died in San Francisco.

Same agent booked us for a 4th July Parade and insisted we wear some Red 
White & Blues Uniforms,  Not a problem charged him $250.00 per man extra and went 
out and bought them.   They have paid for themselves many times over and have 
gotten us more Television coverage around the world than I can even keep track 
of.

I have another custom made set with Uncle Sam on the back in Red White & Blue 
as well, we also do a Red White & Blues Festival show.

We do however refuse to wear so called Dixieland attire of straw hats and 
striped vests, for much the same reason as you guys,  We don't want to be 
catagorized as one of THOSE old timey cheap bands from the pizza parlor.

We also have Pierre Cardin Long Tailed Tuxedos in White, and Maroon which we 
wear with White Baseball caps and Red & White or Blue and White Tennis shows 
which I use for Really special occassions and Rich funerals,  I charge an extra 
$100.00 per man for cleaning of them after every show.  They also are very 
colorful mixed or matched.   We also wear our own Custome made T or Polo shirts 
in Red White or Blue with them, NO tie .


I think this is what the Union used to call Grotesque costumes and made the 
clients pay more to humiliate the musicians by asking them to wear them, in 
stead of the regulation Blue or Black suit.   I know a few old timers who are 
still wearing the same Blues suit forty years later to every gig, and some of 
them have Never even been to the Cleaners.

One old tuba player still wears his witht he mustard stains on the right knee 
where he wiped his hands after eating a rather messy Hot dog at intermission 
on a gig in 1968, :))


Sounds like your Agent guy is listed in the Events Planner category of the 
yellow pages, or maybe the country fair agencies under circus acts.    I just 
love those kind of sophisticated talent buyers.


I do however like uniforms for bands, it sets them apart form the audience 
and actually gives them professional Class when folks can walk up to them and 
talk after the shows and feel like they have met some special people and 
celebrities in show business.

This can also be done without the uniforms but usually not until after like 
Barbone Street Jazz Band has played around enough to establish a reputation as 
great entertainers and musicians.   It works for you guys, and Willie Nelson,  
but at the same time the Uniforms put my group on the International Map in 
1990.  We like looking special and sounding special so we Dress for Success.

By the way the uniforms do not have to match nor even be the same thing, just 
clothes that set the act out as something different and or special.   Now I 
am sure Barbone Street  dresses fine but looks like a group of Doctors on their 
day off playing a little music for the neighborhood Bar B Que Party.    
Nothing wrong with that either especially if the Bar B Que is for 10,000 people and 
sponsored by the City.  :)))


Now on a serious note:   I supply all the uniforms and maintain them for the 
band for several reasons besides the above mentioned ones.

1. It  saves a lot of excess baggage charges for the band,   They don't have 
to bring three suitcases of clothes per man on tour.   I collect them all 
after every show and have them laundered and or cleaned.   We carry about four 
different sets on tour and can mix & match most of them for a different look 
every day or even every show.

2.  I have a predominately Black American Band, and Black American players 
like to look good and dress a bit on the Flashy side.  They actually like 
uniforms because it has proven to get them respect from some folks who normally 
would not have any respect for them, but do respect the uniform as a symbol of 
success.  I think we learned that from the Military training, ( you may not like 
the man wearing it but you better salute the uniform) especially if it shows 
higher rank than you have achieved.

3.   It has also broken down some pretty rigid racial barriers for us in some 
places, from folks who are less tolerant of Black Folks in their communities.

4.    It helps me keep track of my guys on the road in Train depots and 
airports and even at large festivals, where they are easier to find in a crowd, 
when we are on the road we have to operate as a team and stick together and look 
out for one another's back.

5.   Great for Television coverage and looks really good in Living Color on 
the front page of the Newspapers and Entertainment magazines as well. not to 
mention six feet tall posters all over a city when you arrive.   Instant 
recognition and a great attraction before you even play a note.    I can't tell you 
how many times people have walked up to us and said "wow you guys look great, I 
can't wait to hear you play".


Cheers,

Tom Wiggins