[Dixielandjazz] Free beer in Bude

[Jim Kashishian]

No free beer?  
 
Off to one of our local clubs for a 3 nite gig.  Bartender spots me coming
through the door and starts the expresso machine steaming.  By the time I've
got my horn on the stage I've got a good, strong cup of coffee plus my
liquid support for during the set (a tonic water).  No charge.  
 
Actually, no charge ever for drinks at the clubs, and if your
wife/girlfriend is with you, it's a seat & free drinks for her, too.
 
At concerts, we stipulate, along with our request for sound equipment:  food
(snacks & fruit), plus beverages to be placed in our dressing rooms. That is
usually a catered situation, and is very plentiful.
 
I must admit that some bands/musicians have earned bad names by taking
advantage of particularly the clubs.  I mean, a bottle of whiskey per nite
is a bit much.  We are very careful not to overstep our mark.  I also get
the audience to applaud the bartenders at the end of the nite (which helps
keep 'em on our side!).
 
Jim