Your band is just getting ready to start playing for money. Finding a gig may not be as hard as you think. Here are a few tips to think about and help you get going on your musical venture.
First, what type of music do you play? Are you a country band? Do you do mainly cover material or are you ready to hit the road with a couple of cd's worth of original material? There are always clubs that are featuring the type of music you play. Especially if you live in a large metropolitan area. Do you have what it takes to be a headhunter? This is dangerous territory, but if you are willing, find a club that has a band that is not as good as your band and approach the manager about playing for free on an off night. Then promote like your life depended on it. You better be ready if the owner says yes to your proposition.
Second, find a club that does not usually have music on a regular basis and offer to play for one night for the door. The main clientele will not want to pay to get into their favorite drinking hole, so be prepared to make some concessions. You will have to hire your own door man. Make sure he knows that those that see the sign about a cover and pull out cash without question are the ones you are looking for. Anyone who complains let them in free and just say, "Look it's all going to the band anyway. Why don't you just come on in and if you like what they are doing visit the tip jar." That way no one gets their feathers ruffled. And you certainly do not want to run off paying customers.
Third as soon as you book a night somewhere, make sure you have some other club owners lined up to come and spend an hour or so listening. Here again I can not express how important it is to promote this night with friends and relatives. You will have to make sure you are good and you will have to make sure the room is packed. Club owners know each other. The competition aspect between them is good for you. Fear of loss is a big motivator. Just be sure you can pull of your end.
Have more than a MySpace site for promotion. Visit clubs you want to book and hand deliver a promo packet. This packet should have photos of the band, short bio's, song lists, references, and a cd of your sound. Start delivering these at least a month before you set up a room. Then visit these club owners and tell them you think your band is a good fit for his venue and that you can make him some money. Make sure you stay in contact and get him to wherever you are playing. As always, the fortune is in the details and the follow-up.
Roy Gene Horne is a songwriter, musician, performer with over 30 years professional experience. He has written hundreds of songs, recorded, performed, booked, managed, and fronted his own band for all of those years. He has a created a website to help the aspiring musician/songwriter and offers resources which will enhance and teach music and the business of music as well. He invites you to visit. http: http://www.royhorne.ws and you can visit him on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/rghorne
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