[Dixielandjazz] Pricing your band for Charity Events?

[Gluetje1 at aol.com]

Hi Jim,
 
I think Jim K. gave you very good input!  I often explain  nicely that the 
band's cost in terms of gas, wardrobe, equipment,  etc. prohibit our doing 
things at a loss to us, that given expenses  and deductions, the band's fee 
already make them almost a  charity.
 
It's interesting that some of the very finest charities in my mind,  
Salvation Army being one example, do offer to pay you when they call and don't  
even suggest free.
 
If the band wants to have a favorite charity that they all want to do  free 
that's also different thing to my way of thinking.  And I do sometimes  
play for free for someone else when it's only me involved and not when I'm  
booking my little gigs for a group.
 
Ginny
 
 
In a message dated 3/11/2011 10:45:38 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
jim at kashprod.com writes:

>I'd  appreciate hearing from other band leaders on the DJML, either 
publicly
on  the list or via private email, how you handle such inquiries, whether  
you
have special pricing for charity events, and what sort of pricing you  give
them.

Jim, since I'm in such a different environment I can't  give you a price for
this sort of thing.  However, I can mention one  rule that I have always
adhered to:  if someone else is getting paid,  such as the hotel where the
function is being held, then the band should be  paid.  I would lower the
usual event price by a bit as a gesture, but  won't go in free when they're
paying a top hotel for the premises...for  example.  Listen closely, ask
questions, then formulate your price  from what you hear.

I remember years ago hearing about bands backing  big singers who weren't
paid for a gig 'cause the singer was doing it for  charity...you know, with
all the tv interviews by the singer saying how he  was doing this benefit,
etc.  Who gains on that one?  The  singer.  The musicians should be  paid!

Jim