[Dixielandjazz] FW: free Booze

[tcashwigg at aol.com]

Yes Jim,  that is indeed what happens, and I have written a many of 
those riders for some of them, and yes they also contain a lot of 
unnecessary stuff when the egos get out of hand.   I have always tried 
to keep the ones I wrote to be realistic and not overload them with 
extravagance.   Some Major stars however get really out there and 
demand it even if they don't need or use it, and it is not uncommon 
that some of them do not even know what is in the rider because they do 
not read or write it.   They are often written by the agents and 
managers trying to impress each other and other egotistical acts about 
what they are demanding and getting.

Now when an act does reach a status level of professionalism that 
allows them to tour extensively via air, it is perfectly normal to ask 
for BACKLINE equipment and Sound  since it is almost impossible to 
carry around a full trap drum kit and organs and pianos from gig to gig.

I carry my Bass and Snare drums and horns for Saint Gabriel's, for the 
strolling or marching style gigs but if we have concert stage shows I 
request a full stage setup with Keyboards, Guitar amps, Bass amps and 
drums, congas, timbales etc, depending upon the style of music and show 
they want us to present.

I tell them that snacks cool water, and a case of Beer and a bottle of 
Wine are appreciated if easily available for festival dates, if we are 
in a hotel near the venue and food is readily available we don't ask 
for the snacks and stuff.   If we are going to be out over the normal 
dinner hour we usually ask for a hot meal to be provided after the 
performance, since the horn players don't like to perform on a full 
stomach usually.   Fortunately the circuit of festivals that we have 
been invited to perform in provide all of the above to us without our 
even asking, so it is not necessary to even send a rider to most of 
them.  It is indeed very nice to be treated respectfully and taken care 
of by Professional organizers who learned a long time ago that happy 
musicians ( not Drunk ones)  make for great shows and will usually go 
all out to put on a dynamic show.   As was confirmed by all the guys 
who went to Israel with me last summer.

There of course is nothing at all wrong with any band being shown 
hospitality by any venue, some have enough class to do it and some 
don't, but we are wise to not expect it every time, some of them just 
have not been educated about it yet, and others are just cheapskates 
with no class.   I try to avoid working for folks like  that as their 
events are generally not spectacular either.

Cheers,

Tom  Wiggins


-----Original Message-----
From: jim at kashprod.com
To: Tcashwigg at aol.com
Cc: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Sent: Sun, 29 Apr 2007 4:34 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] FW:  free Booze

   Tom wrote:
>Expecting all this  extra special treatment has simply gone on far too 
long
folks, if you need that drink all that bad remember that's why God 
invented
the Flask  bring your own.


However, Tom, you will probably know what the technical rider from your
everyday pop singer will look like for concerts.  There will be all the
usual requirements for the backline instruments (no drummer would think 
of
hauling in his own kit!), all the sound & light equipment, PLUS a LONG 
list
of requirements for the dressing rooms.

I once saw a rider from a well-known act where the type of towels was 
listed
(white & new), the type of toilet paper (cushioned, not perfumed), and a
huge list of liquid & solids for dining pleasures.  Pink Floyd 
(although I
admit they are a whole different matter) travelled with their complete
kitchen (gas stoves, fridges, etc.), plus all their own food & water 
brought
in from the U.K. for the band & all their help (about 150 people), when 
they
played Spain.

So, if we put, at the end of our technical requests, that beverages & 
snacks
would be really appreciated by the band, I don't think we are going too 
far.
We also request piano or keyboard, complete drum set, and amp for bass 
be
provided when the budget permits.  All of the backline, lights & sound 
must
be prepared & ready to fly before our scheduled time for the sound 
check.

This tends to "put you a notch higher" in the opinion of those hiring.  
"Oh,
they must be good to demand this & that!"  Of course, you gotta then put
out......    :>

Jim


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