[Dixielandjazz] Musician vacations

[George Thurmond]

    Someone explain to Zenith the difference between avoidance and evasion,
and the repercusions of each.  Don't worry - I ain't no snitch.

George Thurmond


> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Zenith @ ANS" <zenith at ans.com.au>
> To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
> Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 6:14 PM
> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Musician vacations
>
>
> > Hi List,
> >
> > Our experience after playing some 30 or so countries over the last 15 or
> > so
> > years, suggests that paperwork can usually be avoided by simply not
> > mentioning you are a musician and going through customs separately.  In
> > the
> > cases where your passport actually says 'musician', if questioned, you
are
> > on holiday and/or "now retired" with "hobby" playing only.  As far as
the
> > tax man is concerned even musicians are allowed to go on vacation.
> >
> > We always sign our UK declarations saying our fees never exceed our
> > airfares
> > from Sydney.  We usually try to visit more than one country and contra
> > total
> > travel expenses against each country we visit if necessary.
> > (Did I really give that hot tip out loud and for free too? - Hope Bob
> > Ringwald does not have any taxmen/inland revenue people on this list)
> >
> > Any CDs can be labelled "not for sale" and/or "promotional material".
We
> > always travel with stacks of unassembled CDs on each musician without
> > jewel
> > cases, artwork being located elsewhere and carried by another so the
> > product
> > is not immediately saleable on one person.  We have heard of a case in
> > Germany where they confiscated CDs but they were returned again upon
exit
> > from the country.  However I think my friend Bill Haesler would know
this
> > yarn better where one band member did a Hitler goose march/salute past
the
> > customs officers and this was the main reason for the Australian
> > contingent
> > having a problem in Germany.  We always pre-purchase a few hundred jewel
> > cases in each country we visit although in Montreux Switzerland we sold
> > them
> > for more money in 'back-up' slim plastic sleeves when we ran out.  At
the
> > Portland Oregon Jazz Festival in USA we actually sold out of all the CDs
> > we
> > carried that year (2002 I think).  When entering/leaving USA, for
example,
> > we all split up and ignore each other when going through customs instead
> > of
> > looking like a group or band.  We also travel with a few partners who
tend
> > to make us look less conspicuous and more like seniors on vacation.  So
> > there you have it, one good advantage of being an older OKOM person.
> >
> > However, I do admit that the 9/11 new restrictions by the Dept of
Homeland
> > Insecurity, will make things a little more difficult for us in USA now.
> > If
> > any agent/festival promoter will do a deal with us we can play for
"free"
> > (and/or expenses) but we would charge a one CD entrance price per person
> > to
> > hear the band play.  If engagement probabilities arise I would arrange
to
> > have the CDs produced locally.
> >
> > Playing in UK July/August - Advert coming out soon.
> > Gospel service with Big Al Carson from New Orleans.
> > Tom (blatantly looking for 2007 gigs in Europe/USA) Wood
> > www.sydneyzenith.com
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
> > [mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Robert S.
> > Ringwald
> > Sent: Saturday, 8 April 2006 8:29 AM
> > To: DJML
> > Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Re: Problems for travelling musicians
> > Larry Walton wrote:
> >> You guys seem to think that no one can tour this country.  Not
true(snip)
> > Larry,
> > I don't think anyone said that no one could tour the country.  I think
> > what
> > was said was that the new restrictions by the Dept of homeland
Insecurity,
> > has made it much more difficult.--bob Ringwald
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> >
> >
> >
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>
>
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