Do you split tips?

pcollin · #1 08-25-2009, 07:35 PM

Last Sat night we played out at a pretty big venue. It went very well and the crowd was into us. At one point an older couple came up to the stage and said it was their 25th wedding anniversary and if we could play a slow song. Having done such requests before at other gigs we played "Unchained melody" and a lot of other couples joined them on the dance floor. Later that same couple threw $20 on stage w/a thank you note. The singer kept it to herself since she talked to them. Now if we split it evenly, it would have only been an extra $4 each but nowadays every nickel counts and we ALL played the song, right? I didn't make a big deal about it but the singer walked away with $20 more than I did that night. Thoughts?

rfclef · #2 08-25-2009, 07:40 PM

We don't play for tips, but that seemed wrong to me... Seems like you ALL deserve a slice... MHO.

Jsegbers · #3 08-25-2009, 07:41 PM

next time tell your singer she can do it acapella.... easiest way of thinking about it.

fishtx · #4 08-25-2009, 07:47 PM

if it bothers you, bring it up in front of the rest of the band and asked how everyone else feels...

Bluesbreaker5 · #5 08-25-2009, 07:48 PM

I certainly would bring it up next practice/gig. Ask what happens to tips in the future. You might tell the singer she can keep all of the tip only if she sings a cappella.

Bluesbreaker5 · #6 08-25-2009, 07:49 PM

Jsegbers stole my thunder.....too slow....I lose.

rcarraher · #7 08-25-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcollin

Last Sat night we played out at a pretty big venue. It went very well and the crowd was into us. At one point an older couple came up to the stage and said it was their 25th wedding anniversary and if we could play a slow song. Having done such requests before at other gigs we played "Unchained melody" and a lot of other couples joined them on the dance floor. Later that same couple threw $20 on stage w/a thank you note. The singer kept it to herself since she talked to them. Now if we split it evenly, it would have only been an extra $4 each but nowadays every nickel counts and we ALL played the song, right? I didn't make a big deal about it but the singer walked away with $20 more than I did that night. Thoughts?

We always put tips away, as a band, for little emergencies like an amp crapped out right before a gig, or we needed to replace stage lights, etc...course, more often than not the "tip" bank ended up paying for the community smoke supply

jaywa · #8 08-25-2009, 08:08 PM

What happened to the OP is BS and bush league... any tips given to any member of the band should be split out equally among all the members.

oldrocker · #9 08-25-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcollin

... The singer kept it to herself ..

Wow - the 'C' word come to mind.

Seriuosly though, does the guy who booked the gig get all of the money? After all, he's the one who talked to bar owner.

willyrep · #10 08-25-2009, 08:10 PM

Agreed with above. The unwritten rules of the road....split em up even.

ashtray · #11 08-25-2009, 11:39 PM

Definitely split 'em. Yeah, $4 each wouldn't do much - but the singer could have spent that $20 and bought a couple pizzas for the band at the next practice, or a round of drinks or something.

bassplayertom77 · #12 08-25-2009, 11:45 PM

split tips, yes

Phalex · #13 08-26-2009, 06:27 AM

Depends on how much it is I guess. $20.00? Meh.

Our singer once got, (and kept) $100.00 tip. Have I mentioned lately that he's an asshat?

HogieWan · #14 08-26-2009, 06:44 AM

That should have been a round of drinks, IMO

the yeti · #15 08-26-2009, 07:01 AM

i'm guessing they left early too since they had all their gear packed up (microphone)...

jaywa · #16 08-26-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

Depends on how much it is I guess. $20.00? Meh.

It's the principle of the thing. The amount is secondary.

Couple weekends ago in my band, singer got a $20 tip and said he didn't have change to split it out but would get it to us... next gig, he had $4 apiece for each of us. Those are the kind of people I want to work with.

bassistkll · #17 08-26-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

It's the principle of the thing. The amount is secondary.

Couple weekends ago in my band, singer got a $20 tip and said he didn't have change to split it out but would get it to us... next gig, he had $4 apiece for each of us. Those are the kind of people I want to work with.

+1

DaveDeVille · #18 08-26-2009, 09:08 AM

we just give the tip jar money to our soundman / roadie , as he dosen't receive any portion of what the band is paid .
tips are usually around $45.00 , so it's not like it's alot of money anyway ...

wildhorse · #19 08-26-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsegbers

next time tell your singer she can do it acapella.... easiest way of thinking about it.

Better yet the next time it happens just have the rest of the band walk off the stage and leave her wondering what happened.

One night when our evening ended and the drummer had gone home (we kept our equipment at the gig) a guy walks up and lays a $100.00 on the stage and says this is yours if you can play Santana. I picked it up showed it to the guitarist and bass player, I was 2nd guitar and vocals. We smile at the guy and I crawl behind the drums and we finish off Black Magic Woman. The guy apparently thought we'd be lost without the drummer. We split the 100 bucks btw. And in any band I ever been in including the present one tips are always split equally. Regardless of what the players are being paid individually.

wildhorse · #20 08-26-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldrocker

Wow - the 'C' word come to mind.

Seriuosly though, does the guy who booked the gig get all of the money? After all, he's the one who talked to bar owner.

That would be C.S. Chick Singer.