tip jars

thats a good idea...

like,in the beginning of the show,the singer would be like "we need a new mixer" or whatever they -need- so,please...if you have spare change...dump it in here,your donations are well appreciated

But,not just for the hell of it:"hey...i need money,gimme all your bills,now"

-Jon

 

If it's a paid show then hell no!!! How unprofessional is that going to look?

If it's a party or something then thats all very cool.

 

That is incredibly unprofessional. This will eventually reflect badly on the band and most club owners don't dig this, either, because it makes them look cheaper than they already are. If he wants to supplement his income, tell him to sit on the corner with his guitar & tip jar and beg on his off nights...

 

Agreed, very tacky. Are you guys supposed to be entertainers, or panhandlers?

 

Perhaps you need a axegrinder that has a day job as well. That way he won't have to seagull crackers from the bar, or pick stuff out of the dumpster.

 

maybe just have a tip jar, but don't pass it around.

 

I agree with Polly, if I were going to have one at all. I also believe that it is unprofessional.

 

I was playing this gig every Thursday night at a bar in Fells Point, Baltimore. The bar manager comes up to us one night and hands us a tip bucket. He says we are the only band that doesn't us one. At first it was kind of a freak out but I got use to it. Sometimes we get just enough to cover our bar tab and sometimes we walk away with 30 bucks a guy in addition to our regular pay. This is the only place we have ever done this. Since the bar manager turned us on to it I guess it is OK but it feels strange every time someone comes up and throws a $20 in there. Just my 2 cents for your tip jar.

 

I think it's OK as long as it's cleared with the bar owner/manager. Some places we play the entrance fee or the tips we can get in a hat/jar is the only pay (or the tips is an accepted bonus), other places it would look really bad and not be allowed.

 

I have seen that at a few venues. When I am not playing, I throw a buck or two in there. (Gotta take care of my brother artists!!) I never thought anything strange about it.

 

hmm it all depends, if the audience had to pay to get in the absolutely not, thats ridiculous. if the club/bar owner is paying you then you have to think about how thats gonna affect your reputation (badly), but if its gig with no pay than i guess it could be ok.


question about your situation, is he keeping all the money people donate to the band? that would be pretty f-ed up

 

question is, are you giving him any money? is he worth the trouble? do you even really care how people judge him and the band? in reality im begging to not care about anything except the music.

 

As a performer who often goes out to WATCH a band, I object to this. As if I haven't already got enough beggars asking me for money. If he waved that jar in front of my face, I'd be likely to send it flying across the room.

 

i am also against this at a paying gig!!! its an insult to your employer the bar/ club.
it also reflects badley on all the bandmembers and not just him! if he was a solo act, im sure you wouldnt care. this is super lame and makes him (and you as a band) look reall y cheap and amiturish! IMHO

 

Aw, lighten up.

There are a number of bars near me where they pay the band a small amount (say $100) and then pass a hat every set to get people to kick in $$$.

None of these places charge a cover, though.

 

I agree. Its not that big of a deal. I wouldn't pass it around though, because that kind of pressures people. If I had one, I would leave it on the front of the stage somewhere. So that people could reach it, but it wasn't intrusive.

 

What do you think the owners of the club/event hall would say to it ? I'm sure any manager worth his salts would be against the idea of his patrons being hit up for a tip even if there is'nt a cover to get in(and even more so if they already paid to get in)and even more so if they paid you guy's(or girls)to play to begin with.
I myself would'nt do it,but i'm sure others have tried it before.
Have you ever thought of trying to raise money by bringing copies of your CD'S ? or with some type of t-shirts,caps or autographed pics ? I dont know how popular you are so these are blind suggestions i am shooting out.
My buddies band raises money for new eqpt. by taking donations via their web-site,they have a good fan following,and when fans ask for a them to learn a new song(they have a request forum where you can request a song thats not on their playlist,and they will learn it )they ask for a donation,not that they always get one but if you want to hear that song you better cough up some dough.
Good luck,this is a tuffy