[Dixielandjazz] food for the band

[Gary Lawrence Murphy]

I don't think it is a *conspiracy* per se but it may be something to do
with evolution having evolved event organizer brains specifically to
discredit musicians because of some absolutely fundamentally essential
adaptive purpose.  At a recent children's art fair, the organizers and
event coordinators were paid, yet my band of children doing their art did
not receive the promised honorarium (one of the coordinators found out and
paid the kids $5 each from her own pocket) and at a jazz fest last summer
we drove 2 hours only to be set to play unsheltered in the rain (felt like
being the brass band at a New Orleans gravesite) as the patrons filed
quickly past, and then given $50 gift certificate to feed 5 people where
even a basic burger was $9. Everyone has these stories to tell.

Many events will pay top rate to rent tables and chairs yet ask the
musicians to play for tips, that scenario is almost cliche it is so common.

The practice of snubbing the musicians is so universal, the evolutionary
psychologist in me is forced to ask if there is perhaps some higher
purpose.  Does it perhaps *force* us to do it for the love of music and
nothing else?  Would the potency of our shamanic art be diminished if we
grew accustomed to playing for 'just' rewards?  It is like we're the human
sacrifice that is necessary to please the gods ...

:)

but occasionally it does work the other way too: we're playing a garden
party this sunday, weather permitting, where we'll be paid, fed with the
guests *and* we were told to bring our swimsuits should we want to partake
of the garden swimming pool! :)

Maybe that's it: it's what B.F.Skinner called a "Random Reinforcement
Schedule" ;)

On Fri, Jun 28, 2013 at 11:10 AM, Mike Woitowicz <banjomusic at charter.net>wrote:

> 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<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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