Professional Gig Manners
Acclaimed Singer and Songwriter, Steve Pullara, lends his years of experience as a performer to help you make each gig a success.
So you finally got a gig. Good for you! No matter what kind of concert you are contracted to present, it's all show business and basically the same from Opera to Rock to Children's. Present and prepare everything with professionalism. Whether big or small, it's still an accomplishment. Somebody thinks enough of you to give you their time to entertain an audience with your brand of music. Give a small audience or large audience the same care. Getting a performance is kind of a game because you want to get called back again and again at the same venue. The least that a booking agent has to stay on top of you about, the more you will be loved. Unless you want to work as a whatever else for the rest of your life; The goal is to do the music scene full time.
Here's some helpful tips to help you achieve that.
- Make sure that you have a one page contract in your computer to punch out that was once looked over by a lawyer to your client in about a week stating your terms of the agreement. Some articles solely for illustration in my contract are:
- Agreed Price
- Deposit Date
- Expected arrival time by the promoter which is usually one hour before the said event or sound check
- Make sure you know who is to provide the equipment, if not you
- Liability insurance notice required? Buy it.
- Rain Date Plan
- Any other needs and concerns regarding equipment: Mikes, DI's, Drums, etc. Who provides it?
- Get the signature of your gig's Booking Agent with their address, phone numbers and give them your business tax id numbers if they ask. If you don't have one, explore getting one with your accountant.
- A contract return signed date
- Anything a lawyer will put you onto for prep. may be specific to your type of concert. Listen to them.
- Don't check your equipment during the performance, only before it. Your audience should get your full attention once your show starts. Make sure you are tuned and ready to go. Have two tuned guitars on stage at all times. If one guitar breaks a string, your naked.
- Have a set list or song list of your good songs. Only do those.
- Do not rehearse on stage, do your best material. Don't take requests. It's usually a booby trap of issues for the whole world to see.
- Dress the part, be the part and... look at people when singing. The floor didn't pay for the show. Stop staring at it.
- Never arrive drunk ever at a gig and don't argue with band mates onstage.
- Get your program director/booker's cell phone number for emergencies and any other contact that is needed that day or evening.
- Try to commit to concerts that will pay you upon completion that day
- Have a band mate who receives the payment or you. Specify to the booking agent.
- Make sure that you pay your taxes from these payment even if your paid in cash. The govt. has ways to find out if you paid or not. It isn't pretty after that.
- Don't be a prima donna: be known as a problem solver, not a problem creator
- Have Fun!
Most of all, enjoy your craft because many of these tips can assist you with the clear head that you'll need during your performance. You'll be able to focus on the most important part... the music.
From that, you're in good standing to get booked again and again.
In my next article, we'll talk about rejection and developing a thick skin.
In tune,
Steve Pullara
Cool Beans Music, Inc.
Copyright 2008 Steve Pullara. All rights reserved.
Steve Pullara is a nationally known Children's Genre singer, songwriter, musician, composer and producer. Last year he completed 171 concerts. He owns Cool Beans Music, Inc. and the Cool Beans Band. He also does music seminars on how to perform and present yourself in this genre.'Steve's a former board of Governors Member of NARAS (The Grammies.) He's won a Parent's Choice Award and a NAPPA Honor Award for Best Audio Recording for Children. His music is played nationally on XM and Siruis, while also being a longtime local airwave favorite on WXPN's Kids Corner and WHYY's Crazy College.