[Dixielandjazz] Hobby bands strike again

[Bill Allen]

True story -

A number of years ago a new festival was started in my area called the Red
River Revel, started by the Junior League which is basically a bunch of
soccer moms. I was working for the local AF of M president at the time, at
his place of business. The group asked for the Union to waive its ban
against  gratis performances by Union members because, after all, it was a
new festival trying to get off the ground, it was good "exposure" for the
musicians, etc., etc. Against his better judgement, the prez relented and
OK'd gratis performances.

You know what happened - after the festival, the Junior League had a
members-only closing night party - and hired a show band from Dallas for
thousands of dollars!

That's the last time any local bands worked for free.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
To: "Mr. Bill" <ballen at deltapathology.com>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 3:55 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Hobby bands strike again


> List-Message-Recipient: ballen at deltapathology.com
> I got an e-mail from a municipality of St. Louis for a pre game show for
one of their concerts.  It was for a strolling Dixie group for an hour.  So
considering that it was a Wednesday evening and only an hour I though that
$75 each for the band plus an extra $25 for me would be a good price to give
them so a 4 piece group would be $325.
>
> I thought that this was a very modest charge.
>
> I checked my people and they could be there and I e-mailed them back with
the price.
>
> We were turned down.
>
> I knew that the big band doing the concert is a group that does not pay
its musicians but gives it's money to charity each year.  So they are
fielding an 18 pc band give or take a couple for maybe $500-600.
>
> It turns out that my cornet player was going to play with them that night.
Talk about shooting himself in the foot.
>
> The point is if municipalities or other employers can get an 18 pc band
for pocket change how can anyone even hope to book at a reasonable price.
They think I'm ripping them off.
>
> I was curious to see what their budget was and they wouldn't tell me!
period.  I asked three times.  I asked her if they were doing this every
week and maybe could knock off a few bucks for a multiple gig.  Still no
deal and no budget either.
>
> People who are given entertainment for free are like alligators.  If you
feed them with your fingers, soon you won't have an arm.
>
> By the way this is an upscale area in West County where the homes make
mine look like a shack.
> Larry
> St. Louis
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