Craig's List Gigs

[mrwink]

I've been watching Craigs List looking for fill-in gigs and wondering about your collective experience with these type of gigs. Some look very good and like they be a good quick buck while others look a little more like common gigs -

I guess my question is more about the getting paid part. I have a big fear that I'll go play a gig for the band to help them out of a hole and get a few bucks for myself, only to be stiffed by the band... do those of you who do this type of gig base your trust decision on the phone call or do you work out a deposit kind of thing like booking a band? I've just responded to a few ads but now wordering about it - untimately, the only true loss besides the income would be gas money - but that can be a bit of change...

thanks

[guy n. cognito]

If I were filling in for an unknown band, I would require one-half of my pay upon arriving at the gig, with the remainder to be paid at the end of the gig. I have known several musicians who have been stiffed on these types of gigs due to "unforseen expenses" or "the band got stiffed by the club owner" or even "dude, you've owe us for the PA rental."

Quite honestly, I find that most bands that post in craigslist are full of it. If they tell you they have a paid gig, it probably means that they are playing for tips. If they tell you they have a good following and they are playing for the door, that means that their girlfriends will show, but nobody else. Never agree to take a % of the door or a split of tips. Get your amount negotiated up front.

Another common practice, especially in music towns like Nashville, is for struggling "artists" to try to con unsuspecting musicians into helping them record a demo for free, with the promise of paying gigs "once the demo is cut." I had a number of these types contact me when I was looking for a band.

[zac2944]

I take CL fill-in gigs all the time. I usually talk on the phone with the band and agree on a specific amount for the gig. I always make sure that I'm getting paid $xxx.xx, not a cut of the door money, regardless of what the band gets paid. I haven't been screwed yet, but I can see how it can happen. If I think that the band is all BS then I won't take the gig. I'm usually doing cover band work at venues I'm familure with, so I know that the money is there.

[Bloodfist]

I've played a number of fill in gigs myself. I must be a little different than yall, Because I don't really care about the money. Sure it's great to get paid, but I do it for the love of music.

[Phil Smith]

Originally Posted by mrwink

I've been watching Craigs List looking for fill-in gigs and wondering about your collective experience with these type of gigs. Some look very good and like they be a good quick buck while others look a little more like common gigs -

I guess my question is more about the getting paid part. I have a big fear that I'll go play a gig for the band to help them out of a hole and get a few bucks for myself, only to be stiffed by the band... do those of you who do this type of gig base your trust decision on the phone call or do you work out a deposit kind of thing like booking a band? I've just responded to a few ads but now wordering about it - untimately, the only true loss besides the income would be gas money - but that can be a bit of change...

thanks

I've done a number of gigs from ads on craigslist and not once did I not get paid what was agreed upon. If you have a fear you won't get paid or feel that way because of the person you are dealing with, don't take that gig. Asking for half upon arrival to the gig? I don't know about that, though I've been paid the full amount upon arrival to the gig, but I think asking for half is a bit much and would probably result in you not getting called back. So you have to ask yourself this question; Do I act in a way that can help get called back making more money or do I act in a way that won't help me get called back but possibly insure that I get paid this single time?