[Dixielandjazz] Fw: The Business Side To The Music Business (Unions)

[Dave Hanson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dave Hanson 
To: Mike 
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 5:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] The Business Side To The Music Business (Unions)


Mike,

In many cities where there is a Musicians Union there are sessions open to anyone that cares to attend, regardless of whether they are in the Union or not. I don't know where you live, but there might be a local in your town.
Checking out local jazz joints and introduce yourself to musicians you meet, along with a simple business card with your info will help people find you and get THEIR card. Sit in with any local group, bring some of your better players with you, and do your thing. 

Enlarge your circle of musical friends, Union or not, and network with them.....find out what's going on, see if you can attend, find out if there are any workshops in your area, a community band that might appeal to you, and venues that might be interested in the music your group plays.

The stuff I recommend takes time, energy, patience and gas and it still might not pay off, but you will never know unless go out and try. This is a tough industry and one of the big problems, are the groups that will play for very little, for free, for the door, or maybe pay the club manager to play at their venue. Hard to believe, but it's going on all over the place.    

I could go on and on, but there are a couple of listmates on the DJML can also give you some advice so I will attach this to the list.

The best of luck !

Dave Hanson
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike 
  To: DJML 
  Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 5:05 PM
  Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] The Business Side To The Music Business (Unions)


  Thanks for your response Dave. I am basically trying to gather 
  information about booking gigs from the experienced musicians on 
  the list. We have been studying it in college and I'd rather 
  learn from the voices of experience versus a textbook.

  Thanks again,
  Mike



  Dave Hanson wrote:
  > Mike,
  >  
  > Perhaps you need to update your digital press kit for the agent at the 
  > Union or any booking agent for that matter. The days of cassette tapes 
  > and pages of printed material doesn't make it any longer. Streaming 
  > audio a short bio, short tune list and flexibility to play several 
  > styles if your group can do it, will help sell your band. The 
  > International Union also has a web site ready to help you sell your 
  > group. It's called GoPro, but you need to be in the Union to take 
  > advantage of these services and is perhaps a little easier for people to 
  > find you rather then having your own stand alone web site. But any web 
  > site can help and you can link to other web sites that friends allow you 
  > to hook up with.
  >  I'm in the Union but there are many non-union musicians and groups that 
  > are doing quite well, but the digital age is here and that's what people 
  > want. No more than about 5-8 minutes is what you can expect people to 
  > watch or listen to. The "inner circle" is only as big as you want it to be.
  >  
  > Good luck in booking the "good" ones !
  >  
  > Dave Hanson
  > Vice President
  > Atlanta Federation of Musicians
  > Local 148-462 



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