It used to be all-ego. Knockin' out multiple dates on the same day across several stages. As I've aged (64-YEEEOW!) it's all about endurance. Texas heat, driving distance, questionable dietary choices, overall aches, pains, recent knee surgery, legacy back pain, and dealing with fatigue & pacing, as well as delivering solid performances in multiple venues with different tone challenges is still fun and enjoyable.
It's the small stage standing that's the worst physically. If, there's room to move, it helps because you can fight the stiffness. If you're wary of swinging your headstock & hitting a wall or giving the drummer an ill-timed crash, that's always a challenge. Every load-in & out requires working with numerous personnel, some unrelated to the show and your act.
After a number of years in the band, I can tell who practices, (a few have traveling jobs so, there's some grace granted) and who doesn't. At my age, I have to practice ALL the time or, the rust sets in quickly.
Being patient and observant during set-ups & tear down, getting to know the stage-ground management crew matters. One doesn't have to learn their kid's names but just a general friendly conversation and learning what the limits/expectations between civic events and club owners always matters. Learning personality types helps you pick up vibes and head-off potential misunderstandings over silly-nonsensical stuff. Civic gigs tend to pay much more for less work but, those managing those events aren't always dialed in so, patience is the key. Again, pacing oneself also paces one's temperament.
Club owners are mostly watching the clock & the cash register. If you wanna play there again & again, understanding what their role is goes a long way towards both of your's success.
Saturday was 50 miles away and in 90 degree Texas. Some shade, low humidity and 50 minute sets made it bearable. I ate lightly and just dealt with the human and physical logistics. Saturday night was at a regular pub (back down the hwy) where we bang it out monthly. Waitress forgot my second beer so, I simply dealt with ice water for the 2nd & 3rd set. It was a full house so, let it slide. Keep the club in business and on slower nights, there's almost too much being offered to you. It seems to balance out.
Sales training for setting expectations, learning personality types, and delivering product along several production lines would'a been something helpful to me in my earlier playing years.
Just tossing this stuff out there.
It's the small stage standing that's the worst physically. If, there's room to move, it helps because you can fight the stiffness. If you're wary of swinging your headstock & hitting a wall or giving the drummer an ill-timed crash, that's always a challenge. Every load-in & out requires working with numerous personnel, some unrelated to the show and your act.
After a number of years in the band, I can tell who practices, (a few have traveling jobs so, there's some grace granted) and who doesn't. At my age, I have to practice ALL the time or, the rust sets in quickly.
Being patient and observant during set-ups & tear down, getting to know the stage-ground management crew matters. One doesn't have to learn their kid's names but just a general friendly conversation and learning what the limits/expectations between civic events and club owners always matters. Learning personality types helps you pick up vibes and head-off potential misunderstandings over silly-nonsensical stuff. Civic gigs tend to pay much more for less work but, those managing those events aren't always dialed in so, patience is the key. Again, pacing oneself also paces one's temperament.
Club owners are mostly watching the clock & the cash register. If you wanna play there again & again, understanding what their role is goes a long way towards both of your's success.
Saturday was 50 miles away and in 90 degree Texas. Some shade, low humidity and 50 minute sets made it bearable. I ate lightly and just dealt with the human and physical logistics. Saturday night was at a regular pub (back down the hwy) where we bang it out monthly. Waitress forgot my second beer so, I simply dealt with ice water for the 2nd & 3rd set. It was a full house so, let it slide. Keep the club in business and on slower nights, there's almost too much being offered to you. It seems to balance out.
Sales training for setting expectations, learning personality types, and delivering product along several production lines would'a been something helpful to me in my earlier playing years.
Just tossing this stuff out there.
