No love for me.

[Benjamin Strange]

Apparently, none of the string companies out there like me. I spent my day yesterday calling and emailing about every string manufacturer out there seeking a possible business relationship with them where they'd provide me with discounted or free strings in return for my hearty and vocal endorsement - no such luck. Every single one said they either have their artist roster completely full, they are not offering deals to artists, or that I lack a national touring schedule. Rats.

Man, these guys are tough. I play in excess of 250+ shows a year, all over the country and internationally, work with a wide variety of artists, have released three of my own records, and have recently launched my own label, I actively endorse Mesa/Boogie amps... and still no consideration at all. Sure, I'm no big name, and I didn't have my hopes up about it at all, but dayum. Some of my friends do nothing but play on Bourbon St. 5 nights a week and they have a deal - why can't I?

Making things even more difficult for me is that I have to buy all my strings individually, which makes them a bit pricey (I use an alternate tuning), and now that GC no longer allows discounts, I'm getting hosed. No fun, no fun.

[Darkstrike]

That sucks, will they sell direct, or in bulk?

[lefty007]

Maybe they thought you were a little bit, strange? That sucks. Sometimes with endorsements is who you know. most fellow artist I know have endorsement because they know the brand's rep or somebody recommended them directly. Cold calling like that don't work unless you are an established national act.

Hey, I played at Cafe Negril with my band the Saturday on Jazz Fest weekend. It was a riot! Packed house, sold over 40 CDs. Love to come back to soon.

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by lefty007

Hey, I played at Cafe Negril with my band the Saturday on Jazz Fest weekend. It was a riot! Packed house, sold over 40 CDs. Love to come back to soon.

That's great that you were able to play there during Jazzfest... but that guy at Cafe Negril is kind of considered a bit of an asshat, and pissed off a lot of local bands who contend that they should have been booked there during Jazzfest, not out of towners. Jazzfest is our busiest time here, and many of us budget our year based on Jazzfest gigs. Bill, in fact, cancelled my band at the last minute to get some lame cover band from Chicago in there during Jazzfest. Many club owners on Frenchmen were not happy about that, and many local bands were miffed as well. FEH.

[lefty007]

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

That's great that you were able to play there during Jazzfest... but that guy at Cafe Negril is kind of considered a bit of an asshat, and pissed off a lot of local bands who contend that they should have been booked there during Jazzfest, not out of towners. Jazzfest is our busiest time here, and many of us budget our year based on Jazzfest gigs. Bill, in fact, cancelled my band at the last minute to get some lame cover band from Chicago in there during Jazzfest. Many club owners on Frenchmen were not happy about that, and many local bands were miffed as well. FEH.

Oops. Wasn't aware of that. It was our first time playing there, so we don't know the scene at all.

But I hear you, we go through the same thing here in Miami, where festival organizers neglect some local bands in favor of outoftowners.

[Dirk Diggler]

Well if you have your own label then contact DR, you can get setup with an account. At least you get them at cost that way.
By the way they are great to deal with, no minimums and they do singles no problem.
Dirk