Sometime in June my band accepted to play a showcase under Bridging the Music. We sent an email through craigslist and got a call from someone named Jonah. He told us all the rules, date and time and told us there was a $6.50 fee just to get the tickets to me. He told us that we were expected to bring in atleast a $210 minimum. We said ok we will.
He sent me a link to the form
It stated
In order to be confirmed… Please read the show description below FULLY and know that by submitting this form, you agree that you have read and understand the show details, rules and guidelines to their entirety and you hereby agree to them if chosen to be confirmed for a slot. . .
I had to write my name, band name, time we wanted to perform and things like that.
I filled out the form and read the rules which told me when I signed up they were what I signed to.
Here are the rules.
“BALTIMORE LOCAL SHOWCASE SHOW DETAILS, RULES and GUIDELINES
Hello and thanks for your interest in performing at the Bridging The Music Baltimore Local Band Showcase!
Please go over all the info below and note that by submitting this form, you are acknowledging that you understand all the details for the event and accept the charges for shipping and handling your tickets. If you are not chosen to perform, the $6.50 will be refunded back to you. We will let you know our decision within 7 days.
Load In and check in with BTM rep: 5 pm (please have money for tickets sold and any tickets you havent sold at check in)
Doors: 5 pm
Ticket Price: $10 advance & $12 day of show
Tickets will not be shipped until we send you a follow up email confirming your scheduled time slot.
Our event is aimed toward community and music and we have gotten a lot of support from local businesses so your band has the opportunity to win some prizes for your participation. We also offer some services to help you build as a band at an extremely low, pretty much at cost price, plus we pay you!
Here are a list of prizes your band can win for being a part of this event:
→1st place Winner gets 20 hours of studio recording time at Manta Ray Records
→1st place Winner gets distribution of one song thru IODA Sony via Manta Ray Records w/ paid royalties
→2nd place winner gets 5 hours of studio recording time at Manta Ray Records and distribution of one song with paid royalties.
→3rd place Winner 1000 Download cards
→Winning bands get a headlining show
→All bands get promotion of your band name through “Bridging The Music” advertising, promotional outlets and sponsors.
→All bands get a Free “Band Consultation” with a BTM representative.
->Portion of the proceeds goes to Songs of Love Foundation an organization that creates free, personalized, original songs to uplift children and teens currently facing tough medical, physical or emotional challenges. Each CD is professionally produced with lyrics containing the child’s name and references to all of his or her favorite activities, things, people, and pets. Songs are written and performed in any language in the musical style that the child likes best (pop, R&B, rap, rock, alternative, etc.), by a variety of talented professionals.
Great News! You can make money being a part of this event. Your fans and friends can now get a ticket to see your show in advance so they don’t have to wait until night of show to buy one. Plus for your band it guarantees that they will dedicate time to come see you perform and support you the night of the show.
ticket sales and what we pay you:
20% of ticket sales after 10*
30% of ticket sales after 10*, if you sell 30+*
40% of ticket sales after 10, if more than 75 ticket sales*
50% of ticket sales after 10, if 100 or more sold.*
*Based on polled door (we ask everyone which act they are there to see), online presales and physical pre-sale tickets.
If you are running low on tickets let us know with as much advance notice as possible and we can mail you more.
Everyone’s goal at this time should be to bring out as many people to the show as possible so your band or music project can WIN!! If you win your week you will advance into the Finals scheduled for late Winter.
How to Win:
It’s vital that all acts draw at least 25-50 people to this event and you should aim to get around 50+ votes to win. The contest is based on a voting structure and audience enthusiasm so it is important that you get your friends out to support. In the case of close calls our BTM rep will also be a judge.
Post the event link on friends’, fans’ and your own Facebook Walls. Email the link to any mailing lists that you might have and spread the word via word of mouth or feel free to create your own facebook event.
Making handbills and flyers always goes a long way. Most importantly talk it up and promote so your band can have a successful night. Bring out those dedicated fans and you can advance to the Finals.
On the night of the performance Artist/Band will meet up with the BTM rep and give the rep money for all the tickets you sold at $10 per ticket. Please make sure to have all tickets and money organized before you get to Midway. You will then get paid your cash from tickets sold at that time from the BTM rep. The rep will also ask you a few questions about your band as it is our goal to learn about all the bands and performers we work with.
We aim to help your band grow with our event so we are able to offer special discounts for services to help your band grow which include:
$60 HD VIDEO for your full set (1 camera), $110 2 camera shoot (gives multiple angles and texture)
$35 Professional Photo’s of your band on stage (We take a ton and give your top 10)
$25 MP3 or WAV file of the audio for your performance
Please let us know before the show if you want these services.
>>> IMPORTANT LINKS <<<
**Bridging The Music Facebook FanPage link ::
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bridging-The-Music-Productions/150879141591508
https://www.facebook.com/events/464004253624387/
**Bridging The Music (friend page) Facebook link ::
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001948322579
https://twitter.com/bridginthemusic
Link Removed
Sound Check: Each band will have 15 minutes between acts to set time to set up and do a line check. Please make sure you end on time–our judges notice bands that play over their time.
Set Times: Each band will be allowed 30 minutes per set, once again, please do not go over. Thanks!
Your band will be held fully responsible for the monetary value of these tickets and not having them tickets or money for the tickets at settlement time is means for disqualification of your time slot and performance and a charge up to $10 per ticket on your credit card. Simply put, don’t lose your tickets.
Radius Clause: It is not permitted for the band to play any other concert event within 30 miles of the venue in the 10 days preceding the confirmed Bridging The Music date or you are subject to the cancellation fee.
Your tickets will be printed by Bridging The Music and shipped to the address you provide us during sign up. You will provide Bridging The Music with $6.50 for shipping, handling and printing of your tickets to be paid via credit or debit card.
If your band cancels or doesn’t show up there is a $50 cancellation fee that will be applied to your credit or debit card. If you are late for check in your set could be subject to cancellation and the $50 fee.
Bands have no fee what so ever if you don’t sell a certain amount of the 50 tickets, but your outcome on ticket sales and musical performance will determine if we are able to book you for future shows and if we are able to give you an increase in pay for the future. In other words make it a goal to sell all 50 tickets, or at least give it 100% effort!
Thanks so much once again for sharing your talent with all of us and GOOD LUCK!!!”
This looked ok so I paid and three to four days later got tickets. And an email that said.
““Set time 11:25-11:55 pm. Artist check in at 5:00 pm. At the check in time you will meet with our representative. Please make sure that you have all the money for the tickets that you sold, and all extra tickets that you didn't sell, so we can make sure everything is accounted for. Band will have a minimum of $210 in ticket sales.
Please do the BEST you can on bringing as many people as possible so we can have a great crowd for everyone, thanks!
Tickets were shipped.”
I realized later (my fault) the show was already a week away so I knew the $210 might be a struggle and we were already busy that week. That Monday, two days before, I emailed Jonah and told him that we would not have the 210 minimum.
He then called me and stated that if we made atleast a 100 that would be fine and to try our best to get 210.
I said ok.
The day of the show four people canceled and we decided that we shouldn’t do the show after all. I emailed to cancel and he said,
“NO, I dont want you to cancel. Lets work it out. Please go down to the venue and check in. Bring the money for the tickets sold and any extra tickets”
So we decided just to go. We ended up selling on the way to the show. Which made us late but got us $120. When we got to the venue we signed in, gave money and got our profit. We did an interview at the front with the reps also. Twenty minutes later a rep came to me very sweetly and said she wasn’t suppose to give me a profit because I didn’t make the minimum, that was not in the rules by the way but I wasn’t mad. I handed the money back returning the smile.
A few minutes passed and she came back with a phone. She told me Jonah wanted to talk to me. I took the phone and was greeted with Jonah saying he was unhappy with our sales and that we should pay 50 or have a 15 minute performance (We had prepared for 30) I told him at the end of the contract it said Bands would not have to pay any money if they didn’t make the minimum. He told me we had a verbal contract and I told him I wasn’t aware of this. (you cannot do a verbal contract or any contract for that matter without the other parties knowledge) He asked was I calling him a liar. I told him no but it clear stated we wouldn’t be penalized. He found an email he’d sent me and he said that we had a separate contract (I realized that it was sent to me after the “signing”, You cannot legally add to a contract after signing, the party must sign again)
I was infuriated and told him I’d think about it. We were told we’d have to pay 50 if we CANCELLED not if we didn’t make the minimum. I decided to pay the 50 anyway because we’d practiced for that. We waited for our turn only missing one act (I believe) due to lateness. There were about 8 to 9 acts and only 4 had an audience, none as big as ours. We performed finally and got the biggest applause, even the patrons on the other side of the bar applauded us…it was so loud. We told everyone to go vote for us and they went to do it. Before we packed up and left the reps told one of our guest we’d won. (They would know right?)
I emailed Jonah two days later and asked him about our winnings. Even if the rep didn’t say we won there were THREE chances of winning. With the exception of maybe the first band, no one else had an audience or applause like ours. If it truly went by audience and votes we had to have gotten something right?
Wrong…
He said: “….. The group elected to go on was Starfight. And then our solo artist winners which were in a different contest running. But thank you so much for coming out and staying dedicated through the whole process.”
A Different CONTEST?? But it clearly stated: “Here are a list of prizes your band can win for being a part of THIS event.”
I said: “That doesn't really make any sense. I didn't see Starfight perform and they probably did great but that doesn't make any sense when we had the biggest audience that I saw and we were there since 7. I thought it was based on audience.”
I said that we had the biggest audience because when I got there It was pretty empty and I had only missed Starfight. But their fans could’ve left immediately. No biggie.
He then said: “It does because it is audience voted on and they were one of the opening bands so I assure you that they were there. They also collective sold over 35 tickets for the event and were there promptly. Also considering you didn't see them, how would you know what there performance consist of?? “
I said: “Right so that would mean they won ONE of the prizes. I thought there were other places other than first. But that's fine, thank you.”
I ended our convo there.
I am so sick of these “Music businesses” getting over on bands and artist. They don’t care about music only money. It’s not fair. What does the band get out of it? They always promised a good crowd but you are always performing in front of just the bartender. It’s terrible and what we went through was unprofessional. We were given rules and they weren’t followed by the one who created them..
Please be careful if you do business with Bridging the Music, or anyone else that makes you pay. Whether you are a band, a model, a singer, or a seamstress if anyone charges you for YOUR WORK, it’s a scam.
) We don't like you (ever). Please crawl back under your rock and do whatever it is you do.
