[Dixielandjazz] food for the band

[Mike Woitowicz]

I could relate some of the same stories about feeding the band.

Years ago, I remember playing for a society gig and we were asked to take a 
break while the guests "dined." The band was dismissed into the "garden" 
while the food was enjoyed by the hoi polloi. Then, after about 45 minutes, 
we were told to start playing again so the guests could have music during 
their desert. No food or beverages for the band the entire evening. Not a 
word of conciliation by the host either. I learned mighty fast to take care 
of that situation on future contracts.

I always put food and refreshments for the band in the contract and I bring 
it up during negotiations. I sometimes get some resistance, but I always 
hold firm. I haven't lost a gig yet because of it, but I'm willing to let 
some other hungry band take the gig if push comes to shove regarding food. 
This is especially true if its a long gig and/or if its during the dinner or 
lunch period.

I don't always specify the type of food (its a good idea), and we have had 
situations where we only got a ticket for a sandwich and beverage. But for 
the most part, we've received the same food as the guests. I don't book the 
"sandwich and beverage" customers the next time they call.

Mike Woitowicz, Banjoist
Solo Banjo Music Shows
The Banjo Barons Ragtime Band
The Dixie Barons Dixieland Band
www.banjomusic.biz
262-245-5516

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <trumpetom at aol.com>
To: "Michael Woitowicz" <banjomusic at charter.net>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Friday, June 28, 2013 9:27 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] food for the band


>
> Four hour gigs: Out here in California, it is commonplace to feed the band 
> sometime during the event. Before I started putting in our contract our 
> food is to be the same as the guests, here's some of the slop we were 
> given...At a world famous major hotel, dry sandwiches made with old stiff 
> bread, dry lunch meat & unripe fruit  At a wedding in a fashionable 
> winery/hotel we got one day old submarine sandwiches (too wet and nasty to 
> eat). At a high society function at a casino we got ten dollar gift cards 
> for the food arcade (sandwiches were nine dollars, not enough money for a 
> beverage). At a black tie mayor's ball benefit for the symphony orchestra 
> we got turnovers filled with wet canned spinach. At a political fund 
> raiser we got a plate of beans with tortillas (room temperature). I've 
> also noticed that the wait staff, the event planner & the photographer all 
> get good food. Anybody have any interesting food stories?
> Tom Loeb
> www.hotsytotsboys.com
>
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