Remember kids, Benefit=You ain't getting paid!

EquineGuest · #1 02-05-2010, 11:42 AM

With the two bands I play in, it seems that we are hit up for more worthy causes than Jerry Lewis. I can never find a gig where we are not playing for free for someone else's cause. How about a pay for the bass players carpal tunnel syndrome benefit?

Is it me, or do people take advantage of we poor musicians?

plankspanker13 · #2 02-05-2010, 11:59 AM

Simple rule of thumb to try adopting: One freebie for every x number of gigs that you play. That x number might vary by situation, due to myriad other factors. For me, it's 1 freebie per dozen, and that includes "audition" gigs. It's not only worthy causes that want to take advantage of you, but promoters as well. At least I play with a band that's good enough to turn those freebie audition gigs into a series of paying gigs. YMMV, of course.

Phalex · #3 02-05-2010, 12:03 PM

I think we average about 3 a year.

EquineGuest · #4 02-06-2010, 01:25 AM

That Ron Jeremy photo is seriously grossing me out.

Drop-the-One · #5 02-06-2010, 02:23 AM

Ron Jeremy looks so happy :O)

... My last band played this benefit for a 10yr old girl who needed $xx xxx for some kind of surgery

... we were told each band member would get 2 drink tix. We didn't and our singer was Livid (lol name of the CD)... he wrote letters, cursed out the venue, fought with the other bands and basically ruined himself.

Drop-the-One · #6 02-06-2010, 02:27 AM

With that many offers.. you can pick and choose your battles. Obviously going for the biggest crowd geared toward your target audience.

invader3k · #7 02-06-2010, 06:22 AM

You have to be selective, otherwise you'll get the reputation as "Those guys who will play anywhere free, so why pay 'em?"

Billnc · #8 02-06-2010, 07:36 AM

I often wonder how many of the fundraisers I've done are legit. Many seem to be a way for a club to get people in there buying beer. They don't do anything for free or donate all their profits to the cause. Same with the sound company, so why must the bands?

I have been paid very good money by some legitimate fundraising events, where everyone in a professional capacity was paid, catering, production etc. They generate enough money where production is a small percentage.

T-Bird · #9 02-06-2010, 07:43 AM

Hi.

Pricing Your goods/services/entertaining is a tricky bussiness.

Low-ball, and You're stuck with it forever, over-shoot, and you're playing in mom's and pops's garage for eternity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by invader3k

You have to be selective, otherwise you'll get the reputation as "Those guys who will play anywhere free, so why pay 'em?"

+1. Playing for free is the worst, You might get branded for life as being desperate.

I play "free" gigs only if I feel that it's a worthy cause, or if it can't hurt our (my) rep.

Like playing a "free" gig in a local MC club tonight

.

Regards
Sam

nortonrider · #10 02-06-2010, 07:55 AM

Bah!
Benefits are for contributing something to a cause.
EXAMPLE: 10 year old girl needs surgery.

Playing a benefit for something you believe in is a good thing!
I've NEVER heard anyone say:
"Those guys who will play anywhere free, so why pay 'em?"
about a band who may play them.

I think that maybe there's a little paranoia in the ranks.

Remember The Little Drummer Boy? He didn't have a gift to bring, so he played his drum.
How many think that the other drummer boy's around back then ripped on him for "doing a gig for free" or "lowballing"?

cb56 · #11 02-06-2010, 08:12 AM

You can always say no can't you? I understand where you are coming from though. A band I was in awhile back actually got asked to play a benefit to raise money for someone's grandma's funeral!
We had a standing yearly fundraiser for Big Brother/Big Sister so when we felt like we were getting aked to do too many we would just tell them that was our only charity gig.
Of course I'm old and things have changed.

azureblue · #12 02-06-2010, 08:47 AM

Do you file taxes on your gig income? You should. What I do with benefit gigs is to have them sign a donation of services contract. Roughly a summary of what they would pay (full rate - the max the band has ever gotten for a gig, mileage, cost of travel, food, gear use, pay per musician, clothing, etc.) but are getting for free. This is used as an offset to taxable income. If they won't sign it, then don't play, but most will.

kcole4001 · #13 02-06-2010, 09:40 AM

I live in a small town, and we end up playing a benefit every other month on average.
Always a good cause, of course, last week's was a young guy who was recovering from a brain tumor.
Many have been cancer related.
It's hard to say no, but it really gets tiring, particularly if they're using our PA gear (and my amp).

This band has been together in this form since last March and we've played just once for money.

John Wentzien · #14 02-06-2010, 09:59 AM

If its a good cause I will do several a year..I always try to get them to do it on a day that's not a "big-money" day..Like Sunday (instead of Fri. or Sat.)

Seems like every time I agree to do one on Saturday, I'll get a call for a big money gig for that date right after!

plankspanker13 · #15 02-06-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azureblue

Do you file taxes on your gig income? You should. What I do with benefit gigs is to have them sign a donation of services contract. Roughly a summary of what they would pay (full rate - the max the band has ever gotten for a gig, mileage, cost of travel, food, gear use, pay per musician, clothing, etc.) but are getting for free. This is used as an offset to taxable income. If they won't sign it, then don't play, but most will.

Strong advice.

Febs · #16 02-06-2010, 10:21 AM

When we are asked to play a fundraiser or benefit, I will quote them our fundraiser/benefit rate as well as our usual rate so that they know that the rate I am quoting them represents a significant discount over the usual rate.

IanStephenson · #17 02-06-2010, 11:50 AM

Some advice I found here on TB:

When asked to play for a fund raiser for a good cause, ask to be paid your regular amount on the understanding you will donate that amount directly to the cause. If the organiser is legit there's no reason for them to object.

On the other hand if they're planning on getting 5 bands to play their venue for free (lets say thats worth $2000), making $5000 on beer sales, and then donating the $500 ticket sales to charity, they'll not want to hand over the cash.

If they insist everyone is providing their services for free, ask if the venue is providing the beer for free too!

the_thriller · #18 02-06-2010, 11:52 AM

Most of the time we play for free anyway. All the money goes to the touring band that we are opening for.

Surly · #19 02-06-2010, 12:05 PM

Pete Wentz's job is starting to sound really good.

ChrisB2 · #20 02-06-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azureblue

Do you file taxes on your gig income? You should. What I do with benefit gigs is to have them sign a donation of services contract. Roughly a summary of what they would pay (full rate - the max the band has ever gotten for a gig, mileage, cost of travel, food, gear use, pay per musician, clothing, etc.) but are getting for free. This is used as an offset to taxable income. If they won't sign it, then don't play, but most will.

The IRS doesn't allow charitable deduction of the value of time or services. Nor do they allow any charitable deduction for contributions to a non-qualified charity. Check it out.