So as many of you know, music in our home isn’t just something that we play, it’s a big part of what we do. Music is life in our home, and there is always at least one project happening, and often more than one. I’ve been to more shows than I can count where, if it’s not my husband’s band or one of my step-son’s performances, I usually know at least one of the bands performing. I’m often taking photos and/or videos of the shows, and it’s been this way for years.
Being in a band is hard work. It’s like having a second job. You have to put time and effort into it, and you have to be able to play and work well with the other members of the band. You have to manage your own marketing, and coordinate shows. And promoting your band is being part of being in a band.
If you are a promoter, your job is to promote. This is what you are getting paid to do. That means you should be putting effort and time into getting the word out about each and every show you put on. You should be getting people to the shows. Stop selling tickets to the bands – they are going to be there anyway, and they will bring family and friends who are always willing to pay to support their friend or family member. As a promoter, you should be selling the show and the bands to the public.
If you are in a band, stop accepting “pay to play.” There is a whole wide world of other options available, not the least of which is the internet. Yes, I know how much fun playing live is. But I am not going to pay a “promoter” unless I am making money from the gig. Again, part of being in a band is to promote your talent. Don’t pay someone else so that you can do what you are going to do anyway.
Pay to play is absurd. Every musician, every performer I’ve ever known, has played because they love to play. We all love to perform, and we all want to “make it big time.” We know most of us won’t. But we still love to play. We just need to stop paying for our love of it.
The Warriors Den 