General Music Chat

We've been working our butts off the last few months putting together a cover/ original band and have done a little party for free recently that went really good for the first time out as a band. Now we 've been asked to return and do another party in a week or 2 and of course they want us to play again for free. The drummer in our group has the most experience of us all has raised objections to doing another one for the same group for free. He works with one of the people that the show was to be done for and has asked us to do another show for free in Nov., and has another co-worker asking for a free show too. I don't mind playing for free , but I think we need to be paid for moving all the stuff around and some compensation for the 6 or so hours involved. We don't want to hurt any feelings but I kind of feel like the drummer does. The other 3 people in the band want to do the thing and act like we might not be asked to do anything else by these people if we turn this down for lack of funds. That would put the vote 3-2 for doing it which as a democratic band means we should probably do it. I don't want to give anyone an impression we are cheap at all so I gave them a figure for 1/2 of what the last band I played in was making. Still no money offered .
I guess what I need is some advise and reflection of what all of you are doing in these situations and thoughts on how you might handle this. I don't want to piss the drummer off ,nor the rest of the band .I don't care about the money. It seems to cause the most problems in every thing in my life. But it pays the bills !!

You say you dont care about the money? Then what is the problem playing for free?

You say its a democracy? The vote is do the gig, then do the gig.

You are a new band, you havent done many gigs, I would think you need a few free ones under your belt before you start worrying about the money.

In our band we rarely do a free gig, we get asked to do benefits all the time, if one member feels strongely about some sort of benefit then we ussually do it, But all we carry is stage gear, not the whole pa, and normally in that situation we only do about an hour set, instead of the usual 4.

The economy is tough, we had a couple of major outdoor partys that have paid us well the last couple of years decide to pull the plug on them this year. We are getting contacted constantly by clubs but most in our area dont want to guarantee over 3-400 dollars anyway, so we chose not to play.

I dont think I would make this a big issue in your group, if you get out playing what are you really gonna get paid anyway?

We are playing a club this weekend, the deal is they give us $150 to set our gear up, then we get the door. The last gig at this venue we made $740. So hopefully it will go good again this time, we are lucky that they really like us and are having this all day 5th year anniversary celebration and we are the headliners inside at 9. I will probably let folks know on here how it goes.

The playing market is depressing enough these days, I guess you just have to make up your mind whether you want to play or not.

Good Luck and Keep Rockin

#1 I will add that in your situation, maybe you guys could set up and play for say an hour and then ask for tips, if no one wants to pay then start tearing down, a few years ago we did this in a situation like yours and it was suprising how much money people came up with when they got a little tipsy, we even got offered a washing machine one time, LOL!

Good Luck

I agree with the tip jar. We have a DJ in my area that does this and its works well for him. Starting out is tough and playing for free does hurt feelings but it is getting you out there in the public to get a following. People will remember that you did this for them and I think benefits are great, you reap what you sew. Sewing off of good things will be very profitable for you in the end. Good luck, if you are ever up in the NC area let me know.

You say they asked you to do a show for free and now 2 other folks are asking for the same? I think you will be playing for free as long as you let them. I have never understood people expecting bands to play for free? You spend all that MONEY buying gear, countless hours learning your craft. Then all of the HEARTACHE finding the right members, getting a setlist together, learning the songs on that list, rehearsals, gas to and from rehearsals. I have played a few benefits that I choose to do. I don't think a band should EVER play for free. Our bands prices for a private event START at $1000.00 the bottom line IMO is if they can't afford to pay then they can't afford a band!

Charity events where you can get good PR without bringing a PA and play an hour is one thing, but doing a bunch of free parties is another. I would put a tip jar out for the second free gig and start charging to where you're all making at least $75-100 per man per gig every gig after that.

Our situation is somewhat different so perhaps I should not comment.

But ... since you asked.

Are they drinking ?

If they are ( and I have to assume as much ) is the alcohol free ?

Or is a person or people willing to pay for this aspect of the " entertainment " but not the music ?

Sound like some cheap bastards to me ...

Tip jar is a goo idea ... on top of a fee.

George, one thing I forgot to mention. The one place I beleive its cool to play free is at church. Here in H-town a lot of the bigger churches and some of the smaller ones pay their musicians. I have known and played with many that do this and they treat it like any other gig. They b!tch and moan about the sound and the pay. I have never understood that. I feel like church is a place that you go to give (not take)! Except what you get spiritually from the experience!

I think you just got a whole lot of brilliant advice from a bunch of really veteran great musicians.

NOW PAY THEM!

Now if these guys were running SOLYNDRA, you wouldn't be on the hook for 555,000,000 tax dollars.

The guys that have posted on this are the real deal, listen to them.

There's no doubt every word you said is true Glen , and thats why I asked . I owe my friends here a lot for all they teach me.

They all are looking at me for direction as I have had the most experience except for the drummer. I like the idea of a tip jar with a small fee. The people we are doing this are supposed to have about 80 guests this time. I think its BYOB..

We can sing for our supper if nothing else !

Misty I'm from Rowan Co NC ,and I have to make a BBQ run evey now and then. Or just visit some family.

Here's a little blues cover we picked up a couple of weeks ago. I promise to post some original stuff after I get it CW the next few days .



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpqMHAUl ... re=related

There's no doubt every word you said is true Glen , and thats why I asked . I owe my friends here a lot for all they teach me.

They all are looking at me for direction as I have had the most experience except for the drummer. I like the idea of a tip jar with a small fee. The people we are doing this are supposed to have about 80 guests this time. I think its BYOB..

We can sing for our supper if nothing else !

Misty I'm from Rowan Co NC ,and I have to make a BBQ run evey now and then. Or just visit some family.

Here's a little blues cover we picked up a couple of weeks ago. I promise to post some original stuff after I get it CW the next few days .



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpqMHAUl ... re=related

THAT WOULD BE REALLY COOOOOOLLLLL!!!!! ORIGINAL ROCKS!