Open letter from bar owner to musicians

[ksandvik]

He spoke the truth but few bar bands will listen, anyway...

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Not all music is business. I see no reason why the bands who want to "express themselves" or "share their art" have to go do it elsewhere. The bands that want to do that, theyre the ones getting the "open mic night/jam nights" mentioned in the article (theyre given the non-paying, slower nights). The venue owners, in the end, will get what they pay for. Theres no need to turn it into an us vs. them scenario. You say that the bands that want to do the above should rent a hall and throw their own show... the ones wanting to make money could do the same as well.

Sorry. You are correct. My knee jerked. I'm not against original bands or anything like that. But most of those acts get offended at the fact that they don't get many gigs on Friday and Saturday at bigger clubs. There are a lot of the around here and they act as though the club owners "just don't get it", when the opposite is true.

But, again, I came across as "snarky". Sorry for that.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by ksandvik

He spoke the truth but few bar bands will listen, anyway...

Great, more work for us .

[Russell L]

I'm afraid the guy is right. So, if ya wonder why most bar gigs don't pay much, there ya go.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by TinIndian

It's interesting to note that the "letter" brings up selling certain drinks and things onstage. My guitarist always mentions drinks and drink specials and always talks to the patrons about tipping the wait staff and bartenders. All due in part to the fact that his day gig is as a district sales manager for a liquor company.

Reminds me of this guy:

Originally Posted by two fingers

Sorry. You are correct. My knee jerked. I'm not against original bands or anything like that. But most of those acts get offended at the fact that they don't get many gigs on Friday and Saturday at bigger clubs. There are a lot of the around here and they act as though the club owners "just don't get it", when the opposite is true.

But, again, I came across as "snarky". Sorry for that.

No need to apologize, especially as your post was not directed at me or anyone in particular. Nor did you state anything that was really incorrect. I used to be one of those kids in the original bands that "didnt get it". In time, I came to understand how the business works. Now Im gearing up to join a coverband to make some dough myself Im also trying to apply the same principles to the original band Im in. If we can serve the same purpose (customer retention and increased drink sales/profits) then theres no reason good oringal bands should not also be getting paid.

[NYCbassist]

I really see the professional image as an important item brought up in the letter. I have a chance to gig in 2 weeks with some cats that look like borderline homeless. They are amazingly talented and I have a blast jamming with them but I want to have a serious talk about our attire. Great Letter IMO

P.S. One argument against the letter is when the Bar keep is very slow about coming back to the customer for refills. I have been in many Bars where you have to practically beg for each drink. You can't blame the Band for that.

Also, The owner should talk to the Band about their role before the gig. Sometimes people will try way harder to achieve a goal with some Proactive Clarification. I know it should be obvious but just a quick 5 minute talk to the guys/Gals in the band might go a long way.

[SactoBass]

I agree with everything that bar owner said in his letter.

I also appreciate that bar owner taking the time to write that letter and share that useful and very pertinent information with musicians.

[NWB]

This brings up a certain point I saw in the other related thread. In that one, there was some discussion of draw and how many people your band can bring in. What if your draw is mostly people like me that don't drink very much. Not much profit to be had in a crowd of non or light drinkers.

Rather than selling your band on what you can draw, maybe try marketing yourself on drink sales. After your show, ask the venue owner how drink sales were compared to other acts and then use that to either a) figure out how to sell more drinks, or b) give the increased sales figures to other venue owner for band marketing.

[WCHIII]

great read...so true....agree or disagree....thats the bottom line. band=employee, bar owner=boss...
Look at what Hitler did with a microphone. A good frontman with a personality, part comedian, that comes across as a friend will sell many many drinks AND get asked back for many many gigs....think about it...easier to catch bees with honey...

[Smokin' Toaster]

I suspect the trade secret is going in and selling your band based on what you will do for the bottom line of the bar, rather than on how awesomely talented and sparkly your band is. And 99% of what you have to sell to the bartender is your ability to draw and hold drinking humans.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by NWB

This brings up a certain point I saw in the other related thread. In that one, there was some discussion of draw and how many people your band can bring in. What if your draw is mostly people like me that don't drink very much. Not much profit to be had in a crowd of non or light drinkers.

You need to bring eye candy in with you, all will then be forgiven.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by NWB

This brings up a certain point I saw in the other related thread. In that one, there was some discussion of draw and how many people your band can bring in. What if your draw is mostly people like me that don't drink very much. Not much profit to be had in a crowd of non or light drinkers.

I think this is where us as the band need to find a way to work with the venue owners, and think in terms of business.
What does the venue owner want out of every person in that bar? Money. So, in a bar setting, what can we do to get nondrinkers, or those who drink only a little, to spend their money in the venue? I think food might have been mentioned in the letter (if not the letter, than in a thread somewhere)...

Not to put any blame on you, but Id venture to bet that people who go to shows who dont drink much are the reason cover charges were originally initiated.

[rockinrayduke]

They hate water sippers. Lot of places I play charge you for a bottle of water for non-drinkers, no free tap water. I don't blame them.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Smokin' Toaster

I suspect the trade secret is going in and selling your band based on what you will do for the bottom line of the bar, rather than on how awesomely talented and sparkly your band is. And 99% of what you have to sell to the bartender is your ability to draw and hold drinking humans.

agreed. and for the band who is good, but has less of a draw, focus more on other ways you may help the bottom line.

Like this:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

You need to bring eye candy in with you, all will then be forgiven.

Say if your band has a smaller draw, but every person you bring happens to be eye candy, well now that bar can play that aspect up, and help draw more men to buy drinks for the ladies.

Originally Posted by rockinrayduke

They hate water sippers. Lot of places I play charge you for a bottle of water. I don't blame them.

I dont blame them either... so, other than charging for bottled water, how else can we get teetotalers to spend their money?

[Marko5657]

I’m going to print out this letter to give to my new band so they know where I’m coming from. Everything he wrote supports what I’ve been telling them. Not that I necessarily need to convince them, as I’m the BL, and they do trust/respect me, but I want them to KNOW what’s up.

Great letter- thanks!

[Marial]

Good thing my band's audience is made up mostly of HEAVY drinkers. Playing country/alt country seems to have its built in advantages.

[rockinrayduke]

If you work in clubs on a regular basis it behooves you to learn the club owner's POV so you can play the game wisely.

[nortonrider]

Originally Posted by rockinrayduke

They hate water sippers. Lot of places I play charge you for a bottle of water for non-drinkers, no free tap water. I don't blame them.

None of the places that i go are like that.
The number of drinkers far outweigh the non-drinkers.

The bars do stock and charge for non-alcoholic drinks (soda, coffee, etc.)
However, A couple of places give the Designated Driver their drinks for free.

No one charges for a glass of water.

[fivestringgecko]

Thanks for posting. I started the other one, but this article is worthy of its own thread as well, and has an equally important message as the other article. I agree with both articles, venue owners and musicians/bands alike all just need to be smarter about the way we operate.

5sg.

[electracoyote]

I just sent this to my BL, who has actually been listening to me lately when I echo the sentiments in that open letter.

When there's money involved, it's a business. When you're involved in the money and the business, you are a professional. And a true professional realizes it's not always about his needs, but usually more about the needs of those around him.