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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by scott lamperd:
Street corners in Nashville aren't too bad on a good night. Based on some of the responses, perhaps if you can find one not already occupied. |
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Joined:
June 2011
Posts: 13
Location: SW Florida | i live in SW Florida and there definately is a lot of Beach musicians. tiki bars, beach bars, etc. you can play 7 days a week/ 4 hours a night for about $100-150 a night. you can make a few extra bucks in tips and possibly cd sales. however, the money isnt in these venues. you have to deal with the weather conditions. heat, humidity, salt air, red tide. yuk! i played one place that only paid $50, but the tips were 150-300 in a 3 hour gig. it was weather permitting though. if the weather sucked, you made your $50 and thats it. i decided to stay away from these places. i now play the yacht clubs, country clubs, and mobile home parks. all the parties are private and pay outstanding. 3 hours a night. usually done by 10 pm. and these venues tip rather well. plus you dont have to play the buffett music. plus my gear and voice doesnt have to deal with the weather. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I couldn't make it in Fla... I don't know, OR LIKE, any Jimmy Buffet music.
Song that I get Paid for? All the Time? "Wish You Were Here"
But how many times in one day can you play that?
(Once I have to start repeating myself, it is time to go Home) |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I'm always asked to play "Far, Far, Away" |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Beal:
I'm always asked to play "Far, Far, Away" :D |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Originally posted by Beal:
I'm always asked to play "Far, Far, Away" At least they don't request 'The Sound of Silence.' ;) |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Song that I get Paid for? All the Time? "Wish You Were Here"
But how many times in one day can you play that?
(Once I have to start repeating myself, it is time to go Home) Many years ago, when I was busking with a friend, he insisted on continuously playing "Put some money in my geetar case" (to the tune of knocking on heaven's door) because it generated more money and no one hung around to hear what you played next (the same song).
Wish you were here sounds great on a 12 string. |
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Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1454
Location: Texas | Originally posted by Beal:
In Florida you just have to do Buffet tunes, it's the law.
Just do "Jimmy Buffet Doesn't Live in Key West Anymore" every time someone requests "Margaritaville"…
;) |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Isn't that just Busking, only indoors?
Vic |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | My mantra has always been, They don't pay me to play. Playing's fun; I do that for free. I get paid for loading in, setting up, tearing down, and loading out. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7232
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Rick... ya know... I think that's a brilliant way to put it. No one ever really complains about the gig... or calls it work. It's just the loading and unloading. "It took me 1 hour to unload, another to set up, an hour to tear down, and all I got is XXX dollars.".
Thank you for the perspective. |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Find gigs where all you have to do is plug in to the house PA. You bring your guitar and a cable and you're done. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | yeah... I'd like to do that.
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But I bet there aren't many places with a house PA. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | If they're doing bands, they should have a PA, but there are the exceptions.
If you're on your own playing in a coffeeshop or something like that, there's really not much of a setup time. A small 2 channel amp is really all that's needed. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
Rick... ya know... I think that's a brilliant way to put it. No one ever really complains about the gig... or calls it work. It's just the loading and unloading. "It took me 1 hour to unload, another to set up, an hour to tear down, and all I got is XXX dollars.".
Thank you for the perspective. You're welcome. :) I've always pretty much felt that way. It wasn't as big of an issue when I was a young buck with a strong back, but those amps get heavier every year! :D As Bob (dark bar) mentioned, the ideal situation is to find a place with a house PA. You might have to compromise on the sound quality, but it's less work.
I've got it down to a science at this point. I have my mic mounted on my music stand, so I can eliminate the mic stand. I have a little Roland AC 60 acoustic chorus amp. Sometimes I put it on an angled amp stand, and sometimes when I'm extra lazy I just put it on the floor and angle it up with the little built-in stand underneath it. Beyond that I have a guitar stand (or two or three, depending on how many guitars I bring). And that's it. I borrow a folding chair from the venue. I figure if a folding chair's good enough for Neil Young, it's good enough for me. :) |
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OT: "TIPS-ONLY" GIGS?
