"The Club Date Changing Scene Part 2"
by Webmaster
In the February, 2005, "Making
a Profitable Club Date - The Changing Scene" column, Fred Holzhauer
made a good point for clubs to develop themselves "as a local resource
for music. The only way that'll happen is if the club establishes a
reputation for bringing in good tunes." Then he asks, "What
else can we do toward making a profitable club date?"
One additional idea to help the clubs and yourselves make a profitable
club date, and ensure more gigs at the club, is to respect the club
owners when they tell you what they want and don't want from peformers
in their venues.
I've heard comments from performers to the effect that "I don't
care what the club owner says he wants, I'm going to play my music my
way." I'm not saying you should totally compromise your musical
integrity. I'm saying that if you're music doesn't fit the style that
the patrons of the club like and want to hear, you shouldn't be performing
there. If you can't tailor your program to fit in there, go play somewhere
else, where you will fit in.
Take your ego out of the equation. Don't believe that you are so terrific
they'll just fall in love with you and accept your totally different
show.
If you don't know what the club likes / wants, ask the club owner.
Visit the club when other musicians are there. Talk to other musicians
who perform there regularly. Do your homework.
Your gigs will be more successful and you'll be more likely to be invited
back. You might lose some money in the short run but you'll make it
back in the long run.
OK. Enough of the lecture. I apologize for being pedantic, but I get
to see the booking and gigging process from both sides—I help
the clubs and performers
who are members of this website and I
perform. I've booked festival stages. I've also gotten whiplash from
other performers who failed to please the club—that adversely
affects all of us who want to play in a new venue.
Let's all work together for a win-win situation that will result in
more success in the long run. Thanks.
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"Public Service Announcement to Stringed Instrument
Players"
by Fred Holzhauer
Youl have probably seen the "many uses for WD-40" thing on
the internet. It's been around for a few years. Just saw it again today.
Some of those ideas ARE very creative, but PLEASE don't use it as a
cleaner and lubricant for your strings.......
Lord Chemiste/Metallurgiste Speaketh:
Best (metal) string cleaner in the world is Windex(TM) Original Shine
formula with the Ammonia-D. Put it on a paper towel (Not ever on the
instrument !) and wipe strings with a pinching motion. The ammonia removes
grease, oil and corrosion. You know, finger crud. Not bad on an unfinished
neck, either. And it dries off with the least residue, which
not only leaves the strings sounding bright, but keeps them from attracting
further yuckies.
That said, I'm sure many of you have your other preferences. Just want
to keep folks from putting a non-drying oil on their expensive instruments.
That's a big "no-no" |
