what do you ask first.........

Billy Murdoch · From: Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.

When you get a call asking if you are able to play a gig?
Is your first question....Where?
How much?
When?
Who with?
or any othe printable answer.
Billy

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

What kind of music?
Where and when?
Is this a paying gig?
What are you looking for, or expecting?

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

How much. I got called on 24 hour notice to play four instruments. I got paid $65.00. I told them to never call me again.

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

My first question is "When?"

No sense asking the other questions if I'm not available.

I then advise them that I keep my bookings on-line at www.joeyace.com/dates.htm so in the future they can check on my availability themselves.

After that I want to know what is expected of me musically, where's the venue, and what's the pay.
(at this point I can commit / pass /or renegotiate)

Those are important to know before accepting the offer. My price is often dependent on how far away the venue is.

After all that is agreed, I want to know what is the instrumentation in the band, who are the players, and
where can I get a song list, and recordings of any original or obscure songs.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

I usually start with:
WHAT KIND of MUSIC are you gonna be playing?
WHAT style steel are you looking for? (speed pkg., banjer rolls; or what?)
I tell them what style I play....... "simple/slow"
WHO's in the band? (NO pianos, banjers or triangles!) Anyone I know?
I don't consider a duo or trio to be a band.
WHERE at?
HOW MUCH remuneration?
WHEN?

About ten years ago, a 'stranger' arrived in town from IDAHO. Driving a beautiful Rasberry metalic Cadillac with lot's of gold pin striping, he told me about his extensive past, how he'd been asked to perform in Longview, WA., and how he'd learned of me.
I smelled a rat so informed him I couldn't do it for less that $100.00...UP FRONT.
Lo-and-behold.....he invited me up, paid me the $100.00 and we sat around in this cheap motel until picking time.
We arrived at the KELSO, WA. EAGLES HALL where another small group was on stage playing. He went up and announced himself and the totally dismayed looking group disbanded and surrendered the band stand to us. We played and he announced big things about himself to the crowd and we left. NEVER again heard of or from the fellow.
Later learned he bought the Caddy but returned it after the gig as it was a gas guzzler.
YOU FIGURE?

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Money is probably the last thing I ask..
the first thing I say is..

"thanks for calling"..

then I ask..

Whats going on ?

meaning where is it and when ?

If it sounds like something which I would like to do then we go on from there..

but quite frankly, the only reason I would not do it is travel distance and/or schedule conflict. Money is important but not #1.

Kevin, telling someone not to call you travels fast in circles...that could be dangerous I would think. Are you thinking they WILL call you with the $100 gig after turning them down for a lessor gig ?

Papa Joe Pollick · From: Swanton, Ohio

Who with?
When?
What insturments will I be expexted to play?
Will I have to do vocals,if so how many?
These factors will determine what I'll need for pay.
PJ

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Yeah Tony, thats actually happened a couple of times. I am very well established in my area. Most people know I don't work cheap. The bands I usually play with don't work cheap either. I play 4-6 times a month and thats good enough for me. I just turned a job down for next Monday because of the pay. I told them my minimum price is $100.00. Thats what I want to get around. I don't work cheap.

John De Maille · From: On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.

I like to ask, where and when.
Travel distance and the date and time are important to me. ( I have a day job )
The type of music is usually some sort of country, or western swing, or a combination, there of. That's OK with me.
Money is the glue that holds it together. I don't like, or won't carry all my stuff to a gig for peanuts. I got roped into that years ago and I won't do it again. After all these years of playing, I don't consider myself a hack, and I won't settle for subserviant pay.

Bo Legg · Posted 1 Aug 2007 12:27 pm

Most musicians around this area apart from Branson can be had like a cheap date for a hamburger and a coke and two drinks. Lots of luck getting $100.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Thats ashame Bo. I believe that decent musicians should be adequately compensated, and I beleive giving you talents away for a song leads to a downward spiral for everyone trying to play.

Brandon Ordoyne · From: Needville,Texas USA

I think, truthfully, I would freeze. I have never played with a band..I would really like to though, and get my feet wet. Under confidence is a killer. But my first question probably be what are you expecting of me? then when and where? and then money.
_________________
'74 Emmons D10 P/P 8x5,'15 Rittenberry D10 8x5, Peavey Nashville 112, 400 & 1000, Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master, Hilton, Goodrich L120, Boss DD-3 and RV-3

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Usually I ask:

"Play...in front of PEOPLE? How much do we have to pay them?"

Razz

Ok - If someone is calling me for a gig they already know what I play, and they'll be initially asking me to play a specific instrument...or more than one; in order, my questions are:

1. When (date AND time) and for how long?(so I'll know if I can even make it or not - that's the one question that makes the other ones necessary or not)
2. Where (this one makes one other question necessary or not)
3. What kind of gig ?(if not answered by "where" - a bar name usually answers this question, but something in a civic building could be part of a fair, private party, wedding...who knows?)
4. Who else is playing ?(both at the same time and if there are other acts on the bill)

I only b ring up money if it's either a long distance away or a 4-set (or so) gig. I don't ask "how much", ever...I just ask if it's going to cover my gas expenses and/or my time (if it'll take all day). If somebody is calling asking me to play for free that's the first thing they mention - I don't need to ask. I'd never, ever set a "minimum" price - I've done a lot of benefits for free that have resulted in many other good paying gigs, and I think quoting a minimum price presents an attitude of money first, music second.

A long time ago, one of my best friends (who has since died tragically in a car accident) and I made an unofficial pact that we would never ask "how much?". We both ended up working - a lot. He had no kids and didn't mind playing tons of gigs, and literally could not play all the jobs he got calls for. And part of that was his reputation for *never* asking "how much" or demanding a minimum amount - and he normally got paid much more than the minimum one would ask for. That one little thing was incredibly important, as frontmen calling him knew he was playing from the heart - they knew they'd get the best effort and attitude around by hiring him, and paid him well.

When I was putting together bands anyone I called who asked "how much" as one of the first couple of questions got the gig only if I couldn't find another player, as I had the gut feeling it was just a job for them.

I could never set a "minimum" anyway - too many different types of gigs. 5 songs backing a songwriter at McCabes, 4 sets at the Buffalo Chip Saloon, two one-hour sets at a county fair, a Free Clinic Benefit....

...somehow "Sorry, I only work for $xxx minimum" doesn't fit all those situations...at least for me.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Bill Dobkins · From: Rolla Missouri, USA

Bo is right, We live about an hour from each other.If you get 60.00 a night your lucky. For me thats OK for now because I need the Steel experiance, but it is a shame, I was making 60.00 20 years ago.
Even around the lake areas where there are lots of resorts, I don't think their doing any better.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy.

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

"I'm not wearing any pants. What do you think of that?"

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

I am sensitive to pay issues because I have run accross a couple of situations where the gig was an $800.00 ggig and the band leader was giving the four other guys in the band $65.00 and pocketing the rest. I feel that fill in players should make MORE than anyone else in the band and have paid people that way always. Is not playing as a professional musician a job?

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

working at a set minimum doesn't work for me either. Our bands latest average pay is approx $100/$125 man but it is still not the driving force for me.We worked our way to that $$$ value, we didn't demand it .

I think what Jim states is pretty on the button, if you state a minimum first it's has the appearance that you are about the money first and the Music second, thats how it appears at least to me.

IF a set min works for you , cool.

and no, I don't go on an average gig paying $30.

Bands around here are averaging between $450 and $600..

Barry Blackwood · Posted 1 Aug 2007 2:31 pm

What's the pay? Period.

Jeremy Threlfall · From: now in Western Australia

Ken Williams · From: Arkansas

I hate it when someone I know calls and gives me all the details except pay. I would prefer that they mention it first, but if after several minutes of discussion, I will ask how much it pays.
If I was the one doing the calling, the pay would be one of the first things I would mention. There's no use in going into every detail on how long we play, what time to show up, what to wear, etc. if the person I'm speaking to has no intention of working the gig for what I have to offer.

Ken

Mike Ester · From: New Braunfels, Texas, USA

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Ken, thats sort of how I feel. Pay may not be the very first question, but it would be in the top three.

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

If someone's asking you to do a gig, they should have all the answers before you have to ask the questions - beyond the question of availability. If they're not up front about the money, it's crap money. I can guarantee you that much. I was asked about doing a gig just two hours ago. It was backstage at another gig. The first thing out of my mouth was, "How much does it pay?" Because.............if you say anything else before that, you are "kind of" commiting to the gig. I just don't have time to screw around anymore. I'm too busy.

I also hire guys all the time for gigs......the first question I ask them is, "Are you available on this date?" if they say, yes, I tell them the pay. Simple as that. It's up to them to fight for more. They hardly ever do. Musicians..........we're suckers. Smile

_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

I always check the dates first, then who the other musicians are --- a fat pay cheque doesn't cut it if you have to work with guys who are not up to the job.

The pay is always an important consideration - especially if you are a professional musician - no other occupation works for free !!

Last and next most important question Billy is -- are there any hot chicks going to be at the gig (or in the band) Laughing

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

My thoughts exactly Chris. People play games. I don't have the time.

Forum Index > Steel Players	Goto page 1, 2 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic