Playing "Benefit gigs" (rant)

[bumperbass]

I auditioned for/joined an existing band that lost their bass player. The reason they lost their bass player was that he was never available to play for a benefit, but was always open for paying gigs. They caught him in a lie when they found out where he really was on a night that was a benefit gig, so they fired him. They were pi$$ed.

Let me say, I know good players when I hear them. Every position is real solid, except for keys (always says "Oh, I didn't get the chance to go over that tune" at practice). These guys are among the very best players around here. They are just now starting to get some bookings. They've been together for probably 6 months total. I've been there 3 months, I guess. I like the songs they play very much, so I was content to stick with it. The songs were challenging and are fun to play.

I am getting weary of "benefit gigs". One of the players wives is a benefit freak so that's one problem.
I've played benefits for cancer, diabetes, disease A, B, C, D, F & G. I've played for people who lost everything in a house fire. I've played to raise funds for the animal shelter.
None of these type gigs brings more than 15-25 people. It's ridiculous. The only benefit that draws a crowd is the "Christmas Toy Drive" show in early November.

We've played about 8 paying gigs compared to about 6 benefit gigs and there's 2 more benefits next month!

I've thought about quitting for about a month, but I always stop myself, hoping it's the end of "benefit city", but it never is.

For a benefit we did last month, I attended a Friday night practice to prepare a fill-in drummer. That evening, I had to leave work early to pick up my wife because her car was being repaired. By the time I took her home and went to practice, I drove about 80 miles. The show was Saturday.

I really want to say something to these guys, but I don't want to be branded as one of those who have no sympathy or empathy for other people's problems. I care. I really do, but at the same time, I think to myself that I can't save the entire world. I just don't get it.

Do any of you guys/girls get caught up in the "benefit rut"?
Am I wrong to resent having to play this many gigs of this type?

Thanks! I feel better already!

 

[ArtechnikA]

Are there any paying gigs ? You didn't actually say...
If you can't draw more than 25 to a free gig, it doesn't bode well for your paid appearances.

I don't want to be branded as one of those who have no sympathy or empathy for other people's problems

That's the standard guilt line employed by everyone that wants something for nothing...
Once you get the reputation as the band that works for nothing, it's hard to shake that off and create the perception that your performance has value.
Playing out for its own sake in the early days can have value as it builds team confidence. But once you've got it, you may be past the 'charity promotional' phase.
If 'The Charity Band' is your band's charter, it may not be a good fit for you.
I'll play 'a certain number' of legit ( i.e. 503(c) ) charity events.
Like maybe 1 or 2 a year per band.
More than that, and I'd be 'unavailable' too.

 

[FunkHead]

One benefit for every ten paid gigs seems like a fair maximum. Fifty percent is way too much.

 

[bumperbass]

Thanks! I've edited my post. See the bold part.
Yeah, I think we are getting the reputation as being an easy target.
The responses to my thread will help me determine if I should walk away. I'm torn.

 

[oldrocker]

Personally I'm OK with playing a benefit that helps a person in the community. Not so much for a benefit that helps a cause or a charity.

That said 6 of any benefits in 3 months is way too much for me. if I would have known this going in would have had to pass.

 

[QweziRider]

Am I wrong to resent having to play this many gigs of this type?

Nope. One or two a year for me, and they better be damn good causes.

 

[bumperbass]

Nope. One or two a year for me, and they better be damn good causes.

That's the problem. What's NOT a good cause (according to the guys)? Isn't cancer a good cause? Diabetes?
Yeah, I'm thinking 1 or 2 a year as well.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

(always says "Oh, I didn't get the chance to go over that tune" at practice).

Has anyone insisted this person should practice more so that they are ready for rehearsing?

50% charity seems like too much to me.

 

[bumperbass]

Has anyone insisted this person should practice more so that they are ready for rehearsing?

50% charity seems like too much to me.

Well, he's a good player so we use him when he's available. He has his own sound company and plays with another band (keyboard players are scarce around here) so we put up with him, I guess.
Yeah, 50% is too much. I thought they'd dwindle down, but apparently not.

Edit: Hey Mr. G&L guy, the only positive thing I've gotten out of this band is, I bought a beautiful G&L L2500 USA and am getting to the point to where I can play a 5'er pretty comfortably. I have a long way to go with a 5, which is why I wanted to hang around with these guys a bit longer.

 

[glocke1]

I auditioned for/joined an existing band that lost their bass player. The reason they lost their bass player was that he was never available to play for a benefit, but was always open for paying gigs. They caught him in a lie when they found out where he really was on a night that was a benefit gig, so they fired him. They were pi$$ed.

Let me say, I know good players when I hear them. Every position is real solid, except for keys (always says "Oh, I didn't get the chance to go over that tune" at practice). These guys are among the very best players around here. They are just now starting to get some bookings. They've been together for probably 6 months total. I've been there 3 months, I guess. I like the songs they play very much, so I was content to stick with it. The songs were challenging and are fun to play.

I am getting weary of "benefit gigs". One of the players wives is a benefit freak so that's one problem.
I've played benefits for cancer, diabetes, disease A, B, C, D, F & G. I've played for people who lost everything in a house fire. I've played to raise funds for the animal shelter.
None of these type gigs brings more than 15-25 people. It's ridiculous. The only benefit that draws a crowd is the "Christmas Toy Drive" show in early November.

We've played about 8 paying gigs compared to about 6 benefit gigs and there's 2 more benefits next month!

I've thought about quitting for about a month, but I always stop myself, hoping it's the end of "benefit city", but it never is.

For a benefit we did last month, I attended a Friday night practice to prepare a fill-in drummer. That evening, I had to leave work early to pick up my wife because her car was being repaired. By the time I took her home and went to practice, I drove about 80 miles. The show was Saturday.

I really want to say something to these guys, but I don't want to be branded as one of those who have no sympathy or empathy for other people's problems. I care. I really do, but at the same time, I think to myself that I can't save the entire world. I just don't get it.

Do any of you guys/girls get caught up in the "benefit rut"?
Am I wrong to resent having to play this many gigs of this type?

Thanks! I feel better already!

eh....

I didn't read your whole post, only the bolded part.

I like playing, and am now past the point where I get bent out of shape for playing for free but I'd be irritated with that many free gigs scheduled. I'd mention it to the B.L.

 

[two fingers]

A benefit only attended by 25 people is an unorganized wreck. Benefits are a hobby for these guys.

There's a disconnect somewhere though. Who is organizing these events? Are they annual events? Are they put together by known groups?

I have no problem doing a charity event that is well ateended and actually BENEFITS someone. 25 people aren't going to build a wing of a hospital or save the abandoned pets in your area.

We just had a major hurricane here. People 35 miles from me east, southeast and south are dealing with devastating floods. We're going to get hit up to play some charity events for sure.

I'm all in if it's an event at a fairgrounds, a park, or a large venue and put on by people who are all in with us. But if some guy named Bob is holding a barbeque to gather canned goods, no thanks.

So, I think you have a valid point. But you just need to know how to phrase it.

"Fellas, I think we need to be a bit more selective as to which benefits we agree to play. We played a lot of unorganized events that aren't well attended and don't seem to benefit anyone, really."

Honestly, how easy will it be for these guys to find another bass player willing to play half their gigs for free?

Somebody in the band likes his ego stroked. "Oh, Jim is jist the BEST!!!! He is ALWAYS willing to help out. He's a real hero!"

Or, more likely, it's the wife. "Oh, Jill it just the BEST! She always manages to get Jim's band to help out for free!"

I'm willing to help if the help is effective.

 

[DWBass]

I turned down a band because the BL mentioned that they do a lot of benefit gigs. Not for me. Don't mind an occasional freebie but not on a regular basis.

 

[Oddly]

@bumperbass , maybe bring it up next time the band meets up.
It's quite possible everyone else is also fed up with doing these benefits and nobody wants to be the first one to say it.
Especially the guy with the wife! (Who may be relieved to be able to go home and say 'Honey, I'm sorry but the guys have decided to concentrate on paying gigs for now...')
Of course, it may turn out that these guys like doing them, and are quite happy to keep doing them.
But at least by bringing up the topic you'll know where people stand and can then decide if the band is right for you.

 

[QORC]

benefit gigs are almost the same as "open jam nights" - a thinly-disguised way of getting free entertainment. for me, unless it's a very large, amazing show, I won't do them. my time is too valuable to waste.

You're not wrong for resenting doing too many of them, no more than some of your bandmates are wrong for wanting to do them. You simply don't want to spend the time and money playing for free. it's a legitimate POV. Band is clearly not a fit for you. Give notice

 

[ELG60]

Tithing, a concept which has been around for 3000 years, seems like a reasonable benchmark here. Even government doesn't take 50% (well, maybe in NYC)

 

[garp]

We've played about 8 paying gigs compared to about 6 benefit gigs and there's 2 more benefits next month!

Yeah, there's definitely something out of whack with that ratio. And my prediction is that it's not going to change any time soon.

FWIW, I'm handling some stage logistics/drum tech duties for a benefit event next month gratis because I believe in the cause. However, every performing musician – sans one, who actually runs the nonprofit – is getting paid.

Or, more likely, it's the wife. "Oh, Jill it just the BEST! She always manages to get Jim's band to help out for free!"

Been there, done that. The guilt factor of saying "no" cannot be discounted in these types of situations (e.g., if I decline, it will drive a wedge between Jim & Jill, and I certainly don't want to be responsible for that).

 

[theduke1]

If it is for a family member of the band or a local fellow musician we are in. But to many and your band becomes a free target
Because every cause is important to someone
Duke

 

[Mushroo]

Would you feel better about playing benefit gigs if 100+ people showed up and you got paid?

I think your problem is not so much the benefit nature of the gigs, but rather that you are performing unpaid to a couple dozen people. Nobody likes playing for free to a tiny audience; it's demoralizing.

I would suggest cutting way back on the number of gigs, and promote them like crazy.

 

[lfmn16]

The reason they lost their bass player was that he was never available to play for a benefit, but was always open for paying gigs.

We don't ask enough questions BEFORE we join a band. This should have been a HUGE red flag which should have opened the conversation, "How many benefits do you play?"

At this point, I would just say something like, "I like helping out good causes as much as the next guy, but I have to put a limit on how many free gigs I'll do, regardless of how good the cause is. I'll do X freebies a year. If that's not acceptable, no hard feelings, but you'll need to find a new bass player." It's entirely possible that you aren't the only one tired of doing free gigs.

 

[JMacBass65]

I don't feel bad about passing up a charity gig, declining to give $5 to kids cancer at the local grocer checkout, drop $$ in the Salvation Army bucket, whatever.

Why? Because I already give elsewhere, my money and my time. And I tell people that, without details and without guilt. I had an office manager who used to literally walk around and try to guilt people into giving money for a kids camp program after meetings, walking up to us face to face and saying "C' one, it's only $5". I looked at her and said "I choose where to give my charitable dollars, and where to donate my time, thank you very much".

If I gave money or time at every opportunity that was presented to me, it be broke and have no time for anything else. It seems to be several times a day I'm hit up for one cause or another. It really has become absurd.

And this is what I would tell my band mates if I were in this situation, "guys, I am a finite resource, I need to pick and choose what I do with my time, including charitable causes. I'm sorry, but as worthy as many of these causes are, I only have about one of these in me every couple of months."

The end, no guilt.