Just wanted to give you all an update on this one. Read the previous posts to get up to speed.......
So, I talked to my band and highly suggested we do the opener for free and stated my reasons (exposure, new venue to book for future, etc.) I got outvoted and was told to ask for $100 dollars or we would sell tickets to our fans and keep the money. (Tix to this event are $10).
The following discussion happened over the phone and contrary to my firm belief we should have been doing this gig for free, the entire discussion was orchestrated at my bandmates insistence and unfortunately at my disapproval.
Headlining BL (HBL): "We'll give you 10 tix to sell, and that will give you the $100 you asked for."
Me: "What if we need more than 10?"
HBL: "How many do you think you need?"
Me: "Let me talk to the guys and see how many they think they will sell. And don't worry, we'll be selling to family and close friends that normally wouldn't come to the gig, so you won't lose any money."
Me: "We're gonna need 40 tix."
HBL: "Okay, you guys keep $100 and give us $300."
Me: "We'll just take 10 tix then."
HBL: "You guys really expect us to pay you $400 to open for us? Then we would have to ask you to help pay the sound and light guy. Do you think (insert biggest local act) would pay someone $400 to open for him?"
Me: "Look, I wanted to do it for free from the beginning, but I've got 3 other guys in my band I have to listen to. Just give us 10 tix and we'll send anyone else that wants tix your way, okay?"
HBL: " (Nervous) Why don't you guys just come by and play a couple of songs and that be it?"
Me: "What do you mean? I don't understand."
HBL: "Well, I was just talking to the sound guy, and he said he really doesn't want to mess with the levels too much with another band, and it'll be a lot of trouble with other rigs up there, and the drums cannot be adjusted in any way." (He said something about his other band members not being happy about the situation either.)
Me: "I told you we would not change anything. I'm gonna plug straight into the bass rig (I've played through it before), our lead guitar will plug his pedal board right into your amp, and all our rhythm player needs is a clean and distorted sound. Our drummer won't touch anything. No changes whatsoever. At the very most, the sound guy will have to adjust the mic levels, but that happens throughout a gig, regardless of who is playing."
HBL: "Well, that sounds alright with me. "
Me: "Look, if you guys have problems with this, then come to me and I'll work it out. So do we still have a deal with the 10 tix or not?"
HBL: "Yeah, I guess so."
Me: "Alright, done deal"
This kind of gives you guys an idea of how it went. There was lots of other talk from my band and facebook messages and such, but that pretty much boils it down.
I will NEVER be the middle man again. EVER!!!
As musicians in a very small town, I consider myself friends with 3 of the 4 guys in the Headliner band. My drummer is in another band with their bass player, so I can't wait to hear what comes out of their next practice.
All this mess from a bunch of 20 to 40 something musicians that should do anything to support each other, but instead think they are in some type of competition like a bunch of teenagers.
I'm just waiting to see if we get any different treatment in the sound and lights department at the gig. I really hope not.....but you never know.
I'll let you know how it goes.....
