[Dixielandjazz] Pricing your band for Charity Events?

[Harry Callaghan]

If asked to do so, I would probably perform for free for my synagogue. but
not being Jewish, I doubt that it will ever become an issue..

HC

On Fri, Mar 11, 2011 at 2:19 PM, Robert Ringwald <rsr at ringwald.com> wrote:

> Jim O'Briant asks:
>
>
> > My band, the Zinfandel Stompers, is becoming widely enough known in our
> area
> > that we're getting more inquiries about performances. Some of these are
> for
> > charity events, and of course they are always "on a very limited budget"
> -
> > meaning that they want us to contribute our services for free, or play
> for
> > very little money.
> >
> > 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.
>
>
> Of course there are exceptions to every rule.  However, 99.99% I don't do
> it free or at a reduced price.
>
> For instance, I just worked a solo piano gig for an organization.  They
> paid me $300 for 1-hour 45 minutes.  This was the 5th year I have played for
> their benefit.  They made $37,000 after expenses.  They were happy to pay
> me.
>
> There is one train of thought out there that says, "The more you charge,
> the better you are."  I tend to agree with this.
>
> I won't say that I never play for free, but I can tell you, it is sure not
> very often.
>
> I have played for a fund raiser for the music and theater department at the
> local high-school.
>
> I also play for our local Jazz Society as we sponsor:
>
> 1.  A yearly youth Jazz camp with close to 100 youth musicians between the
> ages of 12-    17.
> 2.  We award music lesson scholarships each year.
> 3.  We sponsor a youth Jazz band, the TNT (The New Traditionalists).
>   4.  We sponsor a very successful Trad Jazz Youth Jazz Festival each year.
>
> We also have other youth music programs.
>
> To me, it is like belonging to the Elks or Lions clubs, giving a little
> something back to the community.
>
> However, for the most part when I am asked to play for free, or at a
> reduced price for a charity, I follow the rule, is anyone else getting paid?
>  How about the bartenders, waitresses, caterers, hall, sound people,
> lighting people, etc.
>
> --Bob Ringwald
>
>
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