An open letter to young bands...

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:04 pm

I have been around the block a couple of times and I would like to share one piece of advice with you.

If you want a gig, you MUST hit the pavement and network. It is essential to your survival.

While posting on this forum looking for a gig is a great idea, it is one of MANY outlets you must explore to get noticed and eventually get you added to a bill.

I can assure you that no club owner or booker is going to hire you simply because you asked for a gig on this forum.

Here's where it gets hard. You must go out to these people and hound them. Be polite but consistent. Let them know you mean business and WANT this gig. PROVE to them your ready and worthy to fill that slot. Go meet and mingle with other bands and let them know you are available. You need to put a face to your screen name and make a few friends who can help. Be professional at all times.

Never be a d*ck. EVER. I cannot express this enough. The minute you are, that's the time you leave some one with a bad image of you and your band. Someone who COULD get you a gig in the future.

If this means to keep that one guy (there is always one guy) that is an idiot away from people... so be it.

Bottom line?

You MUST do this for yourself to make it happen.

Good luck and kick some ass.

A little advice from Uncle Ollie.

songbirdfortwayne · Post by **songbirdfortwayne** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:10 pm

AMEN. Having been the person doing the booking, a person trying to get a booking, and an audience member being harassed by a drunk idiot fan . . . all i can say is AMEN

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:19 pm

Oliver's Army wrote:Never be a d*ck. EVER. I cannot express this enough. The minute you are, that's the time you leave some one with a bad image of you and your band. Someone who COULD get you a gig in the future.

*** APPLAUSE ***

With emphasis on "EVER". The above paragraph is the main reason I abso-freakin-lutely refuse to see 2 of this town's more "popular" bands. Based on two seperate incidents in which I was treated like I wasn't worthy of their attention when, in fact, I was approaching them to compliment them on a job well done. They will never get another dime from me to support their respective bands.

Don't be a d*ck to ANYONE...your audience included.

WBOB · Post by **WBOB** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:22 pm

two seperate incidents in which I was treated like I wasn't worthy of their attention when, in fact, I was approaching them to compliment them on a job well done.

Hope the proprietor was made aware also!!

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:32 pm

WBOB wrote:
two seperate incidents in which I was treated like I wasn't worthy of their attention when, in fact, I was approaching them to compliment them on a job well done.
Hope the proprietor was made aware also!!

Actually, no. Both incidents took place at C-Street. As long as they're making their money, they don't give a sh*t what I have to say. Especially since both of these bands at the time packed the house EVERY time they played.

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:33 pm

sharkmansix · Post by **sharkmansix** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:34 pm

^ that was my guess too!

Great Bigfoot's think alike!

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:44 pm

Ding.

Lou B do B dooo · Post by **Lou B do B dooo** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:53 pm

Oliver's Army wrote:FB

YES! I too got the same treatment from above mentoned initials. I guess I am just not worthy.

HillgrassBluebillyFTW · Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:56 pm

Oliver's Army wrote:FB

where do you start on this subject?

Mama Dragon · Post by **Mama Dragon** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:57 pm

Don't know a starting place, but I'm sure listening.

*waits to be educated*

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:59 pm

Let's not turn this into a bash of our fellow musical ummm....brethren, Lets help out the new bands who might need a little help from the jaded road-horses.

HillgrassBluebillyFTW · Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:02 pm

OA is right... maybe we can prevent future FB's from happening.

deek · Post by **deek** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:02 pm

While it is good advice and applaud, I have to say that no one, and I mean no one, is going to please people ALL the time. Sure, keep the idiots from being idiots, but sometimes you just rub people the wrong way, and the last thing you should be doing is trying to spend too much effort trying to make amends...cut the tie and move on...

There is no ONE band or venue that is going to kill your chances at a gig...but, if that reputation spreads...well, then watchout...

From my experience, this stuff is all pretty fickle...as Ollie said, and I totally agree, just go out and do the networking and face to face stuff and you should be fine!

Mama Dragon · Post by **Mama Dragon** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:26 pm

Oliver's Army wrote:Let's not turn this into a bash of our fellow musical ummm....brethren, Lets help out the new bands who might need a little help from the jaded road-horses.

I'm trying to learn more about that, too.

FortWayneMusic.com

An open letter to young bands...

An open letter to young bands...

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