Holiday gigs - Where did they go? - Page 3

Clef_de_fa · #41 12-18-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Well here in Québec it may happen and sooner than we think ... We have so many immigrant that one day our language and custom may disapear ...

ForSix · #42 12-18-2012, 10:53 AM

When they stopped calling them Christmas parties, no one wanted to have them anymore.

Jazz Ad · #43 12-18-2012, 11:33 AM

That's pretty much it.

Bassmanbob · #44 12-18-2012, 04:43 PM

We had half of a Christmas gig. The venue we played at Friday night asked us to start 90 minutes early for an extra half of the original pay (1.5 of the original total) for a Christmas party that was there. We showed up nice and early only to have that part of the gig rain out. We ended up playing the last two hours (of the original three hours), but were paid the full original gig fee.

So in the end, no Christmas gigs this year.

Richland123 · #45 12-18-2012, 04:44 PM

The thing that gets me with DJs/Karaoke getting many private parties and wedding gigs is that most of them get paid quite a bit more than bands do around here.

Bassmanbob · #46 12-18-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richland123

The thing that gets me with DJs/Karaoke getting many private parties and wedding gigs is that most of them get paid quite a bit more than bands do around here.

When I was in graduate school, I had a friend who was getting married. This was the late 1980s, when DJs were beginning to gain ground. When asked why he was hiring a DJ, he said, "when Bruce Springsteen sings Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen is going to sing Born to Run."

That put things in perspective for me. Some people want what they know and that is all they want.

Rockford · #47 12-18-2012, 08:43 PM

These are tough times for businesses. We're being attacked on a daily basis in the press by the holders of the highest offices in the land and don't know what the tax rules and employment rules will be that we have to comply with. Business instability means that perks like Christmas parties go away. Happy Holidays!

two fingers · #48 12-18-2012, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockford

These are tough times for businesses. We're being attacked on a daily basis in the press by the holders of the highest offices in the land and don't know what the tax rules and employment rules will be that we have to comply with. Business instability means that perks like Christmas parties go away. Happy Holidays!

Amen. I won't even buy pencils until I can figure out what's next around the corner. My guys are working their butts off because I told them that when/if my taxes go up, and my healthcare costs go up, my employment roster will go down. The competition is fun to watch though.

nutdog · #49 12-19-2012, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Shoot, I thought I was going to be able to get some decent BBQ next time I went to France. Assuming, of course, Italians can make good BBQ.

Wherever it is it's funny.

MrLenny1 · #50 12-19-2012, 07:40 AM

The Boston/NE scene has gone that way for the most part.
DJ's , no bands. Use to be a very good market.
My buddy has dropped his 30 year band for lack of work.

bryan gibson · #51 01-03-2013, 11:58 AM

[quote=jaywa;13590657]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 schedule for my current band is definitley on the decline, so Guitard and I are planning doing the "fool on a stool duo" thingee. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em I guess.

RustyAxe · #52 01-03-2013, 01:02 PM

We did OK this year ... three pre-xmas parties, and TWO NYE gigs! One was for a social club that had the opportunity to rent their hall for a bundle, and moved the party to 12/29 ... and then another club in a nearby town booked us for 12/31. THAT was a fine paying weekend!

phillybass101 · #53 01-03-2013, 01:05 PM

Yep. The DJs got em. Cheaper than a band and the drunks just keep on dancin.

bassbully · #54 01-03-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillybass101

Yep. The DJs got em. Cheaper than a band and the drunks just keep on dancin.

Yup the wife and me made the rounds to a few clubs on NYE and all had Dj's...pretty crappy ones too.

bound'n'blocked · #55 01-05-2013, 12:51 PM

I used to be in the production side of things, and just 4-5 years ago, December was brutal. Corporate gigs for the sound company where one company would rent the enitre civic arena for their party and hire two Nashville headlining acts. Plus the stuff for the band I worked for filling up other nights. Would do maybe 6-7 shows in the month. Health issues keep me from it now, but one of the guys told me he did NO shows this year in December.

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