[Dixielandjazz] Why Bands should have Myspace pages.

[Rob McCallum]

Hi all,

Couldn't agree more about MySpace.  Another nice thing about it is that it has search features.  My band got one of the best gigs we've ever had through a MySpace cold inquiry.  A corporation was looking for a band to do a Mardi Gras-themed luncheon for their employees.  They used MySpace to do a keyword search for a mardi gras band in Michigan and found our site.  

Keep in mind too that a lot of people in HR departments who are responsible for such tasks are usually entry level or just above (in their 20s and early 30s), so when they needed a band, the first thing they thought of was MySpace (rather than more traditional avenues such as booking agencies). Our HR contact told me that they play on MySpace all day!

I've also found that it's a quick way to let someone know about your group (and have them hear sound clips and see pictures etc.).  

Cheers,
Rob McCallum
myspace.com/solarjazz




----------------------------------------
> From: barbonestreet at earthlink.net
> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:08:17 -0400
> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Why Bands should have Myspace pages.
> CC: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> To: rakmccallum at hotmail.com
> 
> For years I've been preaching that bands should take some  
> responsibility for the lack of OKOM gigs and that we should play where  
> the kids are etc. I'm not going do go through that here again, but  
> will offer a way for DJML bands to get gigs.
> 
> One way to get gigs, or leads is through myspace and/or facebook.  
> Larry Peacock's recent posts on the DJML confirm that. First he asked  
> Dixieland Bands to contact him in Portland OR, as he wants to book  
> OKOM bands for swing dancing. Then he asked for information about OKOM  
> Festivals.
> 
> Who is Larry Peacock? Well, at 30, he is a part of that young audience  
> for Dixieland, that some of us old folks say doesn't exist. He is a  
> mover and shaker in the West Coast swing dance genre. Why is he  
> asking? Because precious few OKOM bands are contacting him on their own.
> 
> I first met Larry on Myspace. We are cyber friends. He heard our music  
> on our page. He offered to book Barbone Street in Portland if we were  
> ever touring out west. He knows more about me, who is not actively  
> seeking left coast gigs than he does about most of the Left Coast  
> bands that are seeking gigs.
> 
> The swing dancing scene is a good place to get gigs. In my own  
> experience in talking with swing dancers and bands like The  
> Boilermakers who actively play that circuit, there is strong swing  
> dance activity in: LA, Frisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver Canada,  
> Phoenix, Austin, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York City, Philadelphia,  
> Washington DC/Baltimore. No doubt in many other places also.
> 
> How do you connect? When I joined myspace, I connected with friends  
> and other bands that have friends who have friends, etc. Suddenly you  
> see folks like Larry Peacock  http://www.myspace.com/westsideswing.
> 
> And then you'll start to make friends with fans who'll list you as  
> their favorite band along with Asylum Street Spankers, Nine Inch Nails  
> Social Distortion, The Beatles, David Bowie and others   (See  
> Catherine on my page)
> 
> Point being is that there is a huge unfilled need for good OKOM bands  
> to play for swing dance functions. And that these swing dancers will  
> attend OKOM festivals, or other events. All we need do is meet the  
> kids halfway.
> 
> First step should be for bands to join myspace and facebook. It is  
> FREE and a great way to network among the kids, getting gigs. Larry  
> Peacock's post should be a lesson to us all. MARKET YOUR BAND.
> 
> He shouldn't have to come to us, we should be going to him.
> 
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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