[Dixielandjazz] Boater or Skimmer & Where?

Thu Feb 18 14:33:00 PST 2010

I understand the comment about the funny hat groups and I had a discussion 
with another list member about it.  Yes, some think it's passé (so is OKOM) 
and not cool but I have built a very good following who loves the funny 
hats.  I say hats because I do sixteen different cabaret style shows that 
involve dressing up in some costume or another from Mexican to Military 
uniforms.  I will even wear bunny ears on Easter.

Dumb, yes, but the audiences love it and there is a lot of business out 
there doing theme shows.  I charge between $125 and $150 for an hour show 
and that's for a single.  I have three shows on St. Patrick's day coming up. 
That's $450 and that's is not chump change.

How much is the average OKOM musician making for three hours playing?  I 
will bet that it's not that much.  About the best that I make playing with 
other bands is $125-$150 for a three hour gig.  There are a whole lot of 
guys that only get $50 for three hours but they just play music.  Not only 
that I can hire good musician's for that any day of the week including 
Saturday night.  I know that's sad but that's the way it is.

I play in between all the various mini holidays without the gimmicks but 
they don't like to pay as much for that.  I often book multiples on days 
like Veteran's day, Valentine's day, Mardi Gras, Cinco De Mayo, New years 
eve, etc.  Also they often book me several days before and after too 
especially around Mardi Gras and Veteran's day.

I do a lot more than just play at them and that's why I call my gigs cabaret 
style shows.

You guys don't have to wear the funny hats but show biz is show biz.  There 
are so many guys out of work and gigs are very hard to come by.  If I 
weren't doing this I wouldn't be playing and that's a fact.

Playing good is the ante in the music poker game but it won't keep you in 
long without something else.   It's all about entertainment.  Too many guys 
think that it's about music.  Music they can get anywhere for free.

Sometimes cool is just another word for unemployed....

Uncool Larry
StL

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Hanson" <jazzdude39 at att.net>
To: "Larry Walton" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
Cc: "DJML" <Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 6:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Boater or Skimmer & Where?

> Bill,
>
> Just my two cents worth, and I have played in "funny hat" bands far too 
> long and don't anymore. You don't need to look like other Trad groups. 
> Gene Mayl, the leader of the " Dixieland Rhythm Kings", out of Dayton had, 
> I think, a good idea. Everyone wear a long sleeved striped shirt, any 
> color, with black pants. A vest of any color or design. We all looked 
> alike, sort of , but weren't. People come to hear you play, not dig your 
> attire. Back in the day, musicians wore suits. Later with hats.
>
>
> Dave Hanson
> Trombone
> Atlanta
>
>> Hi-
>> Maybe a silly question, but our 4 member group is thinking about going 
>> whole hog with matching outfits; including hats. Looking at other 
>> Dixieland groups, then looking at hats on line I'm a bit confused. Should 
>> we be looking at "boaters" or "skimmers? I think the pics of bands w/ 
>> hats are showing skimmers. If your group wears hats, I'd really like your 
>> input on type, cost, where to get, pros/cons, etc.
>> Thanks- Bill in Montana
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