Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

I have been kind of busy this summer with my new project. "Taking over a resort in northern Minnesota"

Here are the questions.

Looking at the pictures and the settings, what would be a fair price to pay for a afternoon gig on the patio for a casual gig. Lets say a Trio, folk singer or small 4 or 5 piece combo.

Not a whole lot of people to play for but a beautiful setting just to gig and have fun.

My first year here running the place has been very successful, 87% of the people who stayed here this summer are coming back for 2016. This has never been done at this resort to my knowledge.

What are your thoughts on this. Go....no go.... good or bad idea.

What is normal pay for performers in local clubs in your area? How far do the performers have to travel to play there?
A solo player should be getting $50/hour minimum, with a $100 minimum even if they only play for an hour. A band (any size) should be getting a minimum of $200, but $50/hr per player is much more fair. Assume you are not looking for the performers to bring in "their crowd", Of course in some areas of the country players get 2X these rates, but in other areas, the pay is even less.

GuitarMikeB wrote:What is normal pay for performers in local clubs in your area? How far do the performers have to travel to play there?
A solo player should be getting $50/hour minimum, with a $100 minimum even if they only play for an hour. A band (any size) should be getting a minimum of $200, but $50/hr per player is much more fair. Assume you are not looking for the performers to bring in "their crowd", Of course in some areas of the country players get 2X these rates, but in other areas, the pay is even less.

Very good advise, thankyou. The crowd would only be the guests staying at the resort.

RUI Musik wrote:I'm assuming the band has to bring the PA. Even a crappy band will need $200-400 to move a PA and back line and play a couple of sets.

I have the PA here at the resort. Four 15's, amp, mixer ect...

One idea I've been throwing around is $100.00 for a mid afternoon gig however they get to stay in one of the cabins for the weekend and enjoy all the things we have here at the resort.

Something to think about.

jookeyman wrote:

RGMixProject wrote:One idea I've been throwing around is $100.00 for a mid afternoon gig however they get to stay in one of the cabins for the weekend and enjoy all the things we have here at the resort.
Something to think about.

RG-
A C note will probably get you a local solo performer. The weekend stay would be a moot point. That would be geared toward someone who would have to travel. Someone would have to be very hungry to travel and play for $100. You have to consider their expenses to and from the gig (gas, vehicle wear, food). Now if you were offering the weekend stay (lodging, meals, drinks, etc. for 2) for FREE you may be able to entice someone w/ less than a 3 hour drive.

JMO.

This seems to be the most appropriate reply for that venue.
Adding my thoughts:
>You want one or two players playing music that fits the environment, and doesn't scare the birds away or anything.
>That Is a beautiful place you have. And people are there to relax, not to get blasted.
> And - the bigger the band, the louder it will be.
> I'd go swimming at a place like that only if I could relax at the same time. If I couldn't relax, then I'd leave and look for someplace more peaceful. Sometimes, on vacation, people want to be alone with their own thoughts.
>People are not going there to tap their feet in time with the music. So that also suggests a certain style of music . . .
.
To make it financially feasible, you're probably looking for soft or gentle music, maybe even background music. You'd better think about that before hiring anyone, or the following season you might have fewer repeat customers.
.
Do NOT hire someone based on price alone.
Find the music that is appropriate for that specific venue FIRST. And then start asking questions.

Good comments from others above. Looks like you've got families, some older people, some kids. So loud bands are not going to do it - also sounds like your PA system size is overkill - and who is going to run the sound system during a performance? $100 will get a solo player for 2-3 hours if they don't have to travel too far. The cabin for the weekend does them no good - they've probably got other gigs. So you'd have to offer them that plus multiple-day gigs. Obviously, being outside, this would be an afternoon thing- do you have any type of bar/clubhouse that the players can play in the evening?

You guys are great and you really gave me a lot of food for thought. I'm thinking for 2016 I am gonna set aside two dates at "my budget" $500.00 a gig and put it out on Craigs list.
I'm thinking one to five in the afternoon. July 4th and Sept 5th.

Now I just got to deal with this dam Minnesota weather.

were it not for that pesky geography thing P-Jazz would be trying to snag one of those gigs.

Make sure you've got EZ-ups or a party tent set up for the band's area. No one is going to want to stand out in the sun for 4 hours playing, cooking themselves and their gear.

GuitarMikeB wrote:Make sure you've got EZ-ups or a party tent set up for the band's area. No one is going to want to stand out in the sun for 4 hours playing, cooking themselves and their gear.

Its now on my check list...tks