Holiday gigs - Where did they go?

[Bassquest]

I've played lots of seniors parties, local jail and hospital. You can't pay me enough, well, usually it's a turkey dinner.

[bluewine]

I think company Christmas Party with a band has been a thing of the past for a long time.

Were booked with small bar gigs thru New Years Eve.

On NYE we're doing a 2:00- 7:00 load out travel for 40 mins to do a 9:00- 1:00.

Blue

[Russell L]

I have five gigs this month, but only two of them are actually holiday gigs per se. Two others are blues jams, and the last is a restaurant/bar gig. Thank goodness I play in THREE bands! One gig is New Year's Eve, first one I've had in two or three years. My former band(s) barely have anything, if at all.

I agree, DJs and karaoke guys are stealing the candy. But, then again, how many bands are willing to not overcharge just because it's the holidays or NYE? My bands are just playing for regular fees, except NYE is $250 apiece. But, that's a lot less than what I've gotten before on that night. As a matter o' fact, I've been playing for less year-'round for a couple of years now just to get more gigs. It's more work per dollar, but hey, I'm gigging more, or at least maintaining.

[intheory]

Originally Posted by bluewine

I think company Christmas Party with a band has been a thing of the past for a long time.

Were booked with small bar gigs thru New Years Eve.

On NYE we're doing a 2:00- 7:00 load out travel for 40 mins to do a 9:00- 1:00.

Blue

That's going to be quite a workday!!! Nice
We are doing a private party on NYE. Thankful because last year we turned down a couple I decent NYE gig offers to hold out for more money, and ended up not booking.
As to "holiday" gigs (other than NYE), we only really have one outside of our normal fri-sat gigs this month- we are playing the day after Christmas at one of our newer venues (Nice little bonus as its a Wednesday).

[jaywa]

A lot of holiday party jobs went to DJs, others went to acoustic duo "fools on stools" acts that can work a lot cheaper, play quiet, take requests and bring a lot fewer logistical demands.

The rest of the parties just aren't being done anymore. Back in the day my company used to have full-on Christmas parties every year... band, full meal and open bar for employees and spouse/SO, etc... but after consecutive years with multiple DUI arrests, one employee killed in an accident on the drive home and another employee going home drunk and killing himself, the taste for that sort of thing pretty much went away.

[bassbully]

Djs have taken allot of the "Party" market. They had a Dj at my company party last night. Allot of clubs, bars etc in my area are to slow to hire live music during the holidays and winter for that matter and cut back. Except for NYE its pretty dead, I have a show on 12/27 but its no holiday show just a rock show.

[jaywa]

My only holiday-themed gig was a sub job I played Saturday night. Private party at a university. That gig was actually a throwback to how I remember them... band treated like kings, full meal, open bar, etc.

Other than that the only things filling out my calendar the rest of the year are a standard bar gig this Saturday night and another sub job (different band) in a bar on NYE. Probably be lucky to net $150 tops for each of those gigs... definitely not the cash cow the holiday party scene used to be.

[Raymeous]

Down the toilet along with the general economy.

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by seanm

Unfortunately, the money for the band at Christmas parties had to go towards the CEO's raise.

Wow. Got it all figured out, have you? What a ridiculous assumption. I own a company. And attitudes like this make me want to pick up my business and move it offshore.

To the OP, it's the economy. And it won't change any time soon. Much like the Great Depression and our grandparents, people have learned to live with less. Once they learn to live with less, that doesn't change. So even if things get better, "frivolous" expenditures will occur less and less. The live music business tends to lag behind economic events for a few years. Things were great in the 80's and early 90's. Even when the economy got worse, live music was strong for a couple of years.

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by Doug R

This is about the 3rd year now that I haven't booked a single holiday gig with our band. What's up with that?!

For decades we'd get Christmas parties, private company banquets & events, Winter Carnivals, horrible rent-a-room club parties for car clubs, plumbers, box companies, sheriffs (the biggest drinkers!) and other groups. I'd make enough in December to buy Christmas presents and even give the kids money to spend to do their own holiday shopping.

This year, other than New Years Eve, zip, nada, zero, bupkis!

We invested in a fairly large mail-out in October - post cards with band picture, website & info to about 100 former or prospective clients and venues. Spent about $60 on cards, printing & postage - and not a single call or email.

Okay, I'm just venting, but whatever happened to holiday parties. We've had some very generous company owners throw big events for their employees in past years, including dinner, gifts & prizes, drinks and dancing.

Has anybody had any luck booking for the holidays this year? Any suggestions?

It's just the economy. The company that I work for isn't doing a Christmas Party this year, although they did last year and the year before, et al. The company I was from about 04 thru 09... they quit doing Xmas parties in 2007.

I've talked to other friends. Raises, bonuses, Holiday Parties, etc. Don't seem to be very wisespread this year. The mood in this country is pretty rotten too, with this economy. My uncle's company in Pittsburgh used to do big Xmas shindigs and company outings. They stopped doing any outside events like that a couple years ago.

Yes, the mood everywhere isnt very festive. People arent making ends meet. Prices are going up. Wages staying the same or going down. Not much money left for holiday cheer.

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

These DJ's are taking money straight out of our mouths (or is that food?). If each of us chipped in, I'm sure there's a few sociopaths on this forum who would kill a DJ quite cheaply (maybe even just for expenses). How many DJ's do you think there are in the world, and how many would have to die before the others got the message? Just an interesting thought to ponder over Christmas.

Dude, dont forget the karaoke DJs too. I see more karaoke now than I do regular DJs and bands put together. If I look in my local entertainment section of the paper (weekly insert), I will see, honest to goodness, 15-20 karaoke gigs in a night.

Karaoke at the Mexican joint. Karaoke at the Chinese joint. 2 dedicated karaoke bars. Karaoke at such and such and such and such. It's insane how much karaoke is out there. People would much rather get drunk, and butcher a bunch of horrible Jimmy Buffet and Grease songs for their drunk friends, than sit and enjoy a good live band.

Modern society just doesnt care about anything but lowest common denominator self-gratification.

[electracoyote]

I both DJ'd one private/corporate holiday party and did a live gig with my band at another this year.

But the inquiries were less this year.

[baba]

I think the last company party throwdown I experienced was in 2006 or so. Man do I miss the late 90's. I went to one for Peoplesoft with a ferris wheel, B-52s, Neville Bros, open bar, endless food, trapeze artists, human bowling and human foos ball, etc, etc.... We also used to crash them in San Francisco and Silicon Valley all the time. People were drowning in cash then.

[Jazz Ad]

December 1...To All Employees

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will be held
on December 23rd at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. There will be lots of
spiked eggnog and a small band will play traditional carols...feel free
to sing-along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as
Santa Claus to light the Christmas tree.

Exchanging gifts among employees can be done at this time. Please
remember to keep gifts to the agreed $10 limit.

Merry Christmas to you and yours,

Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 2...To All Employees

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish
employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday and
often coincides with Christmas (although not this year). However, from
now on we're calling this party our Holiday Party. The same policy also
applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this time. There
will be no tree or Christmas carols sung.

Happy holidays to you and yours.

Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 3...To All Employees

Regarding the anonymous note I received from a member of Alcoholics
Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, I'm happy to accommodate
your request but please remember that if I put a sign on the table that
reads "AA Only" you won't be anonymous any more.

In addition, we'll no longer be having a gift exchange because union
members feel that $10 is too much money.

Patti Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 7...To All Employees

I have arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest
away from the dessert table and for pregnant members to sit closest to
the restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not
have to sit with gays; each group will have its own table. And, yes,
there will be a flower arrangement for the gay men's table.

Happy now?

Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 9...To All Employees

People! People! Nothing sinister was intended by wanting our CEO to
play Santa Claus. Even if the anagram for "Santa" does happen to be
"Satan." There is no evil connation to our own little "man in a red
suit."

Patti Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 10...To All Employees

Vegetarians! I've had it with you people. We're holding this party at
Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not. You can just sit
at the table farthest from the "Grill of Death" as you call it, and
you'll get salad bar only including hydroponics tomatoes. Tomatoes have
feelings too, you know. They scream when you slice them. I can hear
them now. I hope you have a rotten holiday. Drive drunk and die, you
hear me?

The Bitch from Hell

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 14...To All Employees

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery
from her stress-related illness. I'll continue to forward your cards to
her at the sanitarium. In the meantime management has decided to cancel
the Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with
full pay.

Terri Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director

[Flyingfrets]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

If each of us chipped in, I'm sure there's a few sociopaths on this forum who would kill a DJ quite cheaply (maybe even just for expenses).

Hell, I don't even want expenses. Just looking for expeience. Was doing pretty good with it up till about '87 or so. Then my 25 year "vacation" upstate screwed it all up after I accidentally popped a guy named DJ. Hey, my bad. What can I say? I'm really rusty now, but I'm sure it's like riding a bike. Got any leads?

[Clef_de_fa]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

December 1...To All Employees

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will be held
on December 23rd at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. There will be lots of
spiked eggnog and a small band will play traditional carols...feel free
to sing-along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as
Santa Claus to light the Christmas tree.

Exchanging gifts among employees can be done at this time. Please
remember to keep gifts to the agreed $10 limit.

Merry Christmas to you and yours,

Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 2...To All Employees

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish
employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday and
often coincides with Christmas (although not this year). However, from
now on we're calling this party our Holiday Party. The same policy also
applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this time. There
will be no tree or Christmas carols sung.

Happy holidays to you and yours.

Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 3...To All Employees

Regarding the anonymous note I received from a member of Alcoholics
Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, I'm happy to accommodate
your request but please remember that if I put a sign on the table that
reads "AA Only" you won't be anonymous any more.

In addition, we'll no longer be having a gift exchange because union
members feel that $10 is too much money.

Patti Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 7...To All Employees

I have arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest
away from the dessert table and for pregnant members to sit closest to
the restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not
have to sit with gays; each group will have its own table. And, yes,
there will be a flower arrangement for the gay men's table.

Happy now?

Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 9...To All Employees

People! People! Nothing sinister was intended by wanting our CEO to
play Santa Claus. Even if the anagram for "Santa" does happen to be
"Satan." There is no evil connation to our own little "man in a red
suit."

Patti Lewis, Human Resources Director

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 10...To All Employees

Vegetarians! I've had it with you people. We're holding this party at
Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not. You can just sit
at the table farthest from the "Grill of Death" as you call it, and
you'll get salad bar only including hydroponics tomatoes. Tomatoes have
feelings too, you know. They scream when you slice them. I can hear
them now. I hope you have a rotten holiday. Drive drunk and die, you
hear me?

The Bitch from Hell

------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 14...To All Employees

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery
from her stress-related illness. I'll continue to forward your cards to
her at the sanitarium. In the meantime management has decided to cancel
the Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with
full pay.

Terri Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director

By trying to accomodate everyone ( religion or other ) one day we won't have anything left of our own

[Jazz Ad]

And no Xmas gig.

[JimmyM]

How come the vegetarians pushed her to the breaking point? And what company did this happen at? Is this a French company or somewhere else?

[Jazz Ad]

Not a French company. People are not -yet- that uptight and most of use don't give much of a religious meaning to Christmas, which was a pagan celebration in the first place anyway.
I believe it is just a joke.

[JimmyM]

Oh. Well it's funny.