It's really all about relationships Bob. Like it or not, we need places to play and they need entertainment to sell more drinks and pay the rent, wages, taxes, BMI fees, Edison bill etc. We sort of classify our clients and adapt our efforts accordingly.
A list- They pay well, manage their calendar well, and are respectful with musicians and customers. We spend a lot of time grooming our relationships with these guys. They are rare but do exist and we nearly always get a written contract and a nice check that doesn't bounce.
B List- They pay ok, sometimes screw up and double book dates, but generally are respectful with musicians and customers. We work with these guys, forgive their flaws, and get proactive like calling a week ahead to confirm dates, times, and agreed $$. We often get a written contract. These are the Bar & Grill types we tend to play most often. A good relationship with the person in charge of booking usually means regular gigs we can count on.
C List- They don't pay well or manage their calendar well, never a written contract, and are somewhat disrespectful. Gig of last resort. If they are really close to home and we have nothing better coming up we may call them and offer to play for the door so we can test some new material before an upcoming A List gig. If they like us and want to book several more dates, we are expensive, have a busy calendar, and require written performance contracts.
D List- Always disrespectful to musicians, calendar is completely unreliable, regular bar fights, overreaching bouncers, stuff gets stolen or damaged, chicken wire. No reason to go in there ever again. Forgive them for their inadequacies and move on to greener pastures. No reason to build a relationship with them because they will disappoint you and drain your energy. Life is too short for this noise.
If you don't like a situation you are in, change it, accept it, or leave it. Everything else is madness.
A list- They pay well, manage their calendar well, and are respectful with musicians and customers. We spend a lot of time grooming our relationships with these guys. They are rare but do exist and we nearly always get a written contract and a nice check that doesn't bounce.
B List- They pay ok, sometimes screw up and double book dates, but generally are respectful with musicians and customers. We work with these guys, forgive their flaws, and get proactive like calling a week ahead to confirm dates, times, and agreed $$. We often get a written contract. These are the Bar & Grill types we tend to play most often. A good relationship with the person in charge of booking usually means regular gigs we can count on.
C List- They don't pay well or manage their calendar well, never a written contract, and are somewhat disrespectful. Gig of last resort. If they are really close to home and we have nothing better coming up we may call them and offer to play for the door so we can test some new material before an upcoming A List gig. If they like us and want to book several more dates, we are expensive, have a busy calendar, and require written performance contracts.
D List- Always disrespectful to musicians, calendar is completely unreliable, regular bar fights, overreaching bouncers, stuff gets stolen or damaged, chicken wire. No reason to go in there ever again. Forgive them for their inadequacies and move on to greener pastures. No reason to build a relationship with them because they will disappoint you and drain your energy. Life is too short for this noise.
If you don't like a situation you are in, change it, accept it, or leave it. Everything else is madness.
Cajundaddy
