General Music Chat

We have missed some opportunities lately, I feel partly due to a "failure to communicate"
Please review this document and let me know what you think of the ideas presented from a "band members" point of view.

Jericho March
Policy for booking / scheduling performances
In order that we might have the most efficient and effective methodology for booking of performances the following policy will be instituted and monitored by the General Manger.
In recognition, that all members have, in the past, provided fruitful leads to performance opportunities. It is conducive and remains in the group’s best interests to continue to have each member of the Band, seek out and explore and all leads that occur in their experience.
However with the increasing complexity of the individual members schedules and our dedication to consider the personal, financial, and, familial obligations of all individuals involved. It has become necessary to implement some policy changes to maintain optimal logistic performance.
I, as General Manger, do hereby submit for consideration, the following terms and conditions:

1) All members of the Jericho March family, are responsible for searching out, and obtaining information that would lead to musical witness opportunities ( here to fore known as “gigs” ) for the Band.
1a) The previous verbal policy of the “originating member” or “member of initial contact” being the contact and organizational person for “gigs” will no longer be in effect.
1b) The “member of initial contact” shall endeavor to obtain and document in writing as much information as is possible at the time of the initial contact. To include but not limited to the Full name of the contact. A telephone number, an Email address, the date, time, and as much as is possible, the physical and musical requirements of the “gig”.
such as location, time on time off, number and length of sets / breaks, and whom will be providing sound services.
1c) The “member of initial contact” shall then inform the potential client that the GM will be notified, and that the GM will contact them as soon as possible in order to establish services. And that all future communications and arrangements must be with the office of the GM in order to insure, as much as possible, prompt accurate information processing.
1d) The “member of initial contact” shall then provide, to the potential client, a business card and or the contact information for the GM
1e) The “member of initial contact” shall then contact the GM and provide the obtained information in as expedient a means as is possible.
1f) The GM will then, in as expedient manner as possible, contact the potential client, and flesh out the remaining information that will be required in order to ensure a quality performance for the potential client and maintain contact with the “member of initial contact” and all other performing members of the Band.
1g) The GM, nor any other member of the Band , will create obligation for performance until the schedule and availability of each of the performing members is verified.

2) The General Manager shall provide a calendar for each performing member, and shall on at least a bi weekly basis, review and document availability of the performing members.
2a) Performing members of the Band, shall to the best of their ability, maintain an accurate record of availability in their provided calendar, and provide as efficiently as possible all changes in availability to the GM.
2b) The GM shall, in as efficient a manner as possible provide and disperse, the information of updated availability, to each performing member of the Band.

This is stuff that a manager / promoter should handle.

Seems to me, the job of a band is to simply show up where they are supposed to and deliver their show. Then maybe schmooze at parties and refer all inquiries/booking opps to the manager /promoter.

Thr trouble with elaborate contracts /policies is that more often than not, they just confuse the parties, and eventually become unworkable

We have missed some opportunities lately, I feel partly due to a "failure to communicate"
Please review this document and let me know what you think of the ideas presented from a "band members" point of view.

Jericho March
Policy for booking / scheduling performances
In order that we might have the most efficient and effective methodology for booking of performances the following policy will be instituted and monitored by the General Manger.
In recognition, that all members have, in the past, provided fruitful leads to performance opportunities. It is conducive and remains in the group’s best interests to continue to have each member of the Band, seek out and explore and all leads that occur in their experience.
However with the increasing complexity of the individual members schedules and our dedication to consider the personal, financial, and, familial obligations of all individuals involved. It has become necessary to implement some policy changes to maintain optimal logistic performance.
I, as General Manger, do hereby submit for consideration, the following terms and conditions:

1) All members of the Jericho March family, are responsible for searching out, and obtaining information that would lead to musical witness opportunities ( here to fore known as “gigs” ) for the Band.
1a) The previous verbal policy of the “originating member” or “member of initial contact” being the contact and organizational person for “gigs” will no longer be in effect.
1b) The “member of initial contact” shall endeavor to obtain and document in writing as much information as is possible at the time of the initial contact. To include but not limited to the Full name of the contact. A telephone number, an Email address, the date, time, and as much as is possible, the physical and musical requirements of the “gig”.
such as location, time on time off, number and length of sets / breaks, and whom will be providing sound services.
1c) The “member of initial contact” shall then inform the potential client that the GM will be notified, and that the GM will contact them as soon as possible in order to establish services. And that all future communications and arrangements must be with the office of the GM in order to insure, as much as possible, prompt accurate information processing.
1d) The “member of initial contact” shall then provide, to the potential client, a business card and or the contact information for the GM
1e) The “member of initial contact” shall then contact the GM and provide the obtained information in as expedient a means as is possible.
1f) The GM will then, in as expedient manner as possible, contact the potential client, and flesh out the remaining information that will be required in order to ensure a quality performance for the potential client and maintain contact with the “member of initial contact” and all other performing members of the Band.
1g) The GM, nor any other member of the Band , will create obligation for performance until the schedule and availability of each of the performing members is verified.

2) The General Manager shall provide a calendar for each performing member, and shall on at least a bi weekly basis, review and document availability of the performing members.
2a) Performing members of the Band, shall to the best of their ability, maintain an accurate record of availability in their provided calendar, and provide as efficiently as possible all changes in availability to the GM.
2b) The GM shall, in as efficient a manner as possible provide and disperse, the information of updated availability, to each performing member of the Band.

We have a player on the fence - I dont know if its the same thing as your guy but it is causing some concern from the rest of our band- so maybe I get what you are going for with the above contract ... but my .02$ its a buzz kill ....
Maybe you guys are pretty big out there and draw good and make good money so maybe its needed ....
Honestly I think your best bet is to just be upfront with the guy and give him the choice of band or no Band
I can tell the band means a lot to you - sometimes new blood is just what the doc ordered ...
Good luck

Yes . . . thanks for the input.

Though written rather verbose it seems simple enough to me.

Everyone keep your eye out for opportunities to play.
Keep the band aware of your unavailable dates .
No one but the GM makes obligations, and only after verifying all parties are available.

Thanks Dead . . . I appreciate your input.
Actually the recent issue is obligations being made without first verifying that everyone is available.
That is very bad for "business."
Especially with a mission band like ours.

For the record, I don't believe having a clear understanding of how and organization should operate qualifies as a "contract"

After all, the door swings both ways. If this "ain't your thing" or you feel called otherwise.
By all means via con Dias and no ill will.

Good Luck

Sadly the way I see this is its being too serious on your part, you guys are on a mission from GOD, pardon the pun, its really not life or death to do a gig, its not providing a living for the players, its supposed to be in my opinion about a brotherhood so to speak who enjoy playing together bringing a message to an audience.

I understand totally where you are on this, in my band Aint Yo Mama, I was or have been for 5 years the person that handles the gigs, others in the band would give me a phone number and a lead and I would pursue it.

Schedules thats a toughie, when we were booking heavily, I would sit the guys down and try to go 3 monthes forward and have this info with me at all times, if someone had something to do and had informed me then I knew we couldnt do a certain date, but I also knew that what dates we could do. This worked well. Only once of twice did something not fall into place. I basically did this for 3 years, I think we did a total of 42 paid gigs in that 3 years, doesnt sound like a lot of gigs, but there werent any issues. I had one situation where I had discussed dates with this one club and for some reason the gal thought I had booked the night, 10 pm we are on break at a club 80 miles a way and she calls, where are you guys?

George I dont think you need this sort of contract, I woudl probably laugh in your situation if you handed me this and it was a situation where noone really makes any money off the band. I would probably just say good luck in your mission and move on.

I think you verbalize your situation to them, face to face, I know you guys have a practice space, get a block calendar on the wall for the next few monthes, after practice give the guys markers and say X off any dates that you arent availabe to play. Of course once you do book something you need to immediately let everyone know, in my case I would just send out a text to the guys in the band, Hey guys we are booked at the Ozone, sat Oct 1st. If there is a problem with this date let me know ASAP.

George I know you have a huge investment in your band, you carry the load, I just think have a sit down gut check talk about your concerns, build a performance calendar in your rehearsal space so the dates are always in everyones face, and if someone over time cant work with the schedule replace them.

Good Luck

Thanks JW.

I do take it seriously. That won't change. It is my mission. Not a hobby.

It's a simple step by step outline of procedure so everyone is on the same page, not a contract.

Definitely not "life or death" we have passed on many due to schedule conflicts.
But to have a member making obligations without referencing the rest of the band is unacceptable.
There is nothing more damaging for a band that making a breaking obligations in a winsome manner.

We are nothing but as good as our word.

I do appreciate the input. And am taking it all into consideration.


Seems the trend is pretty much for me to scrap the idea.

For the record, I don't believe having a clear understanding of how and organization should operate qualifies as a "contract"

After all, the door swings both ways. If this "ain't your thing" or you feel called otherwise.
By all means via con Dias and no ill will.

Actually George, It kinda does. The emphasis being "should operate"

From the business end, any collaboration , whether driven by a written policy or by adhoc enforements, necessarily constitutes a contract / agreement.

Suppose you get some guy to join your band , and he insists now, on compensation (finder's fee) over and above normal fees, for any tasks that relate to securing more gigs? You gonna kick him out? To avoid this can of worms, your "should operate" policy now needs some more leagal clarification to avoid a law suit.
Lets ramp it up some more...This becomes a legal test of enforceability. Your new band mate has some rock-solid connections, who will insist on some fees to advance your band... If you agree to that, then what about the other band mates, who are now out leveraged in their duties (according to the policy). Are they held accountable...Are they to be compensated just the same?
My point is that the policy can start to get pretty hairy and unfair.

I've done enough entreprenuerships ventures, to say that SIMPLE REALLY is BEST... . Now a guide book.... that's another story

So what your saying is any agreement to play as a band equal a "contact"?

Then what is the issue with a clear written "guide book".
Which is exactly what I have provided.

I'm not asking for signatures.

Though some form of uniform behavior when it comes to booking gigs would be kinda nice.

So what your saying is any agreement to play as a band equal a "contact"?

Then what is the issue with a clear written "guide book".
Which is exactly what I have provided.

I'm not asking for signatures.

Though some form of uniform behavior when it comes to booking gigs would be kinda nice.

Yes, it constitutes a contractual agreement between band mates.
A legal, binding , enforceable contract needs to satisfy the following:

1) There must be a definite, clearly stated legal offer to do something. Not guesswork, not implied goods and services per se...but clear precise offer to perform a service and/or provide goods/renumeration, etc.

2) Intention of legal consequences The agreed upon consolation , if the offer fails to deliver. Some arbitrate outside of court (very popular), some levy penalties or waive certain obligations (i.e will fire the bass player, etc.) But, It Must BE clearly defined.

3) Consideration... The offer must be something of substance and value. (Both ways) Consider the value of some homeless guy selling melted candy bars... or some Attorney offering to processing your PI claim. (You might arguably come out better with the homeless guy.)... More to the point though, value is not derived on 'promise' of delivery. rather its a "show me the money" proposition, with evidence to support it. (Reputation counts)

4) Acceptance of only that , which is clearly offered. If you tell someone that they will specifically receive 100 per gig + 10% of the door (and gig and door must be clearly explained and defined) , that's what they should accept and that is what should be delivered.

I guess I'm just dense.
I don't see how that has anything to do with establishing a communication procedure.

It's "MANAGER", not MANGER as you have in a couple of spots.

Are you ALREADY the general manager of the band? If so, then you can set policies as you choose. If not, you are way overstepping your rights.
The General Manager, as described, should be the person that all possible gigs info is sent to. ("Hey George, check out Molly's Redbar, they need bands on alternate Friday the 13s"). Don't expect the GM to have the final say-so, yet ask the others to do all the grunt work. GMs have to do it, and get compensated for it.

I'm going to blame it on the auto check . . .


Thanks Mike


I am the GM . . . as far as compensation . . . I'll leave that to God.

I totally understand the motivation for this. Every band wrestles with these issues and JW handles it much like we do.

1 Agree that we are a team and we respect all the players.

2. We need a running calendar with 3 months of all players blackout dates. Everything else is bookable.

3. Everyone agrees to fish for gigs, when you get a bite, connect the venue contact person with the band manager ASAP to hash out all the details and prevent a double booking. He holds the calendar and confirms all terms and contracts to perform.

Just a simple, clear, concise plan that creates a direct path to gigs without getting to authoritative. Musicians can be a sensitive bunch and the goal is to encourage each to contribute to the team and not discourage them by being too heavy handed.

George, you JW and I are all CEO types. We have the visionary leadership and generally close the deals. As leaders our job is to lift up and encourage other players, not to put them down. We can make a band or break a band just as easily. Phrases like "If you don't like it you can pack up", "my way or the highway", or "take it or leave it" are words of disrespect and discouragement, and often the path to ruin for any team of dedicated players. You surely don't intend it to sound that way but it very well be how this proposed contract is received. Ponder on this a while and share these thoughts and ideas with your maker my friend.

Just my 2c. YMMV

Our band has an online calendar that everyone has access to. When each of us finds out we have a blackout date we can log into this calendar and blackout dates. This has worked very well for us. You still have to remind the guys every so often to update and keep up with their blackout dates. When the leader books a gig he doesn't have to contact each member. He just logs into the calendar and if the date is open he books it.