515 Crew

[Big Fat Retard]

From Craigslist:

I found this as a read and thought how much Iowa musicians really need to take this to heart.

A word about "playing for exposure"

"Is playing for exposure worth it?"

We've all had these calls. The phone rings, and it's some club or commercial venue asking us to come down and play for "exposure." You know, they tell you, you can give out cards, you can get your name out there, etc. It's a myth. Don't fall for it. You're a professional musician. You've spent a lot of money and time on your craft. Don't put yourself in the category of someone who will play for free.

I know of a harpist who got a call from an upscale department store looking for entertainment during the Christmas holiday season. They were having a special sales event on a Sunday evening and they wanted her to play in their store for several hours. In lieu of payment, they said she could hand out her business cards and get "lots of exposure." Her comeback was great. She said, "I can't do that, but how about this? I will be playing for loots of fancy parties over the holidays. If you give me one of your special occasion dresses from the formalwear department, I will wear the dress and tell everyone that it came from your store. Your fashions will get lots of exposure" After a short pause, the caller said. "I see your point."

I bet that if the store needed someone to fix the heating system or a plumber to fix a leak, they wouldn't call them and offer them exposure. Or if one of their clerks got hurt and they had to get emergency help, they wouldn't offer a doctor exposure in exchange for medical assistance. Why is it so commonplace to offer musicians visibility instead of payment?

One of the reasons is that too many bands and musicians will do it, and that sets a bad precedent for other musicians. There are musicians and bands that will play for any audience without compensation as long as they feel they are the star of the show. They will work for nothing, or practically nothing, at a club where they really want to play. And as long as there are musicians who will do this (or in some cases PAY to play a club so they can work for the door), we will continue to be asked to provide entertainment for free.

Certainly there are times when you can do something for benefits and charities. But don't fall for the exposure myth because there are more drawbacks in playing for free. One free gig will probably get you another freebie call, and that can lead you down the road to starvation. Consistently playing for a decent fee prevents you from getting that reputation.

The public also tends to think that musicians don't really work, they're doing something for fun. Perhaps part of the blame lies with the word that musicians use to referring to what they do: "play." It's possible that when members of the public hears us use this word, they associate it with fun, rather than work. And if we are having fun, they think, why should we get paid too?


It's important to remember-and to get audiences to remember-that while we certainly do enjoy making music, we are also professionals, and we do this to make money so that we can pay bills and support our families. Try getting Tiger Woods or David Duvall to appear for free at your local golf course or country club. They don't 'play' golf just for the' fun' of it. It's there living.

Perception is important, and as professional musicians, it is important not to let our talent and integrity slide. Would you go to a ear specialist who was doing operations at discount prices? People have a higher regard for things that cost them money. They will treat you with more respect when they have to pay, and I bet the more you charge, the more respect you get. People want to get what they pay for. And they want it worth what they have to pay.

There are a lot of ways to get around a freebie request, maintain, dignity, and still get the job. Maybe the person who called you really wanted to book you, but was just testing the waters. Maybe they actually have a budget, but just wanted to see if you would play for free. If you explain nicely that you are a professional, possibly they might come with the money, or find someone who will. Instead of hitting them with a direct no, try asking if they can find a sponsor.

Explain that you can't play for free, but you will give that opportunity to a charity someplace. If it's a corporate venue (like a store or major company), ask if they could get money from some other department, like advertising, marketing, or public relations. Act as if you gave their best interest at heart, but you must have your best interests at heart as well.
Bars & Clubs make profits..why not you?

Remember, musicians who work for free know what their time and talent are worth. The harpist had a great way of putting it, "Let's recognize the concept of playing for exposure for what it is...a myth."
Exposure alone isn't worth it-you can die of exposure.

Question??
Why are Iowa bars /clubs still asking bands to play for exposure?
Why are Iowa bars & clubs if willing to pay, still paying bands 1970's wages ie..$300 to $400 per band ???
What can be done to change that?
How about booking shows in private venues such as halls and theatres..
Book & Promote shows in empty stores..small or large.
In summer have out door Barn Concerts.

The Band Areosmith never performed in a bar or club..
They booked and promoted all there own shows and charged a cover..
Steve Tyler said, "At 1st only 10 people showed up..
but we worked hard as a band and soon enough we were packing our own shows at rented venues..
We didnt depend on bars."

What say you Des Moines Bands?

No more playing for exposure.
Do the bars ask krappy karaoke to set up and provide a service for exposure????
How is it karaoke gets paid but not you?:
"Come On Iowa Musicians"
Stand Up and take back Live Entertainment.!!
Network together..,
Generations before us were successful at it back in the 1950's,1960's and 1970's.
Break a Leg-Rock On !

"If you want to keep living the dream,You have to prevent it from becoming a nightmare."
Vince BLUE , Drummer :
http://www.myspace.com/vinceblue1

[Varg]

Makes some valid points.

Steven Tyler did too, but then again, he always does.

[robdigi]

Playing for "exposure" in Iowa is a pretty funny concept in and of itself.

[Varg]

Oh yeah, and WTF is with his 1970s wages quip??

When is the last time any band here played the mews, house of dicks, HB, blues on grand etc. and made $3-400 PER band??? The only bands I know making that kind of dough are cover bands and they allllllllllll think its GOOD money.
How does this chooch expect bands to be making $1,000 a night playing at the HOB in front of 50 people? Doesn't work that way...

[Shamone Jackson]

go to his myspace . wow.

[Big Fat Retard]

Oh yeah, and WTF is with his 1970s wages quip??

When is the last time any band here played the mews, house of dicks, HB, blues on grand etc. and made $3-400 PER band??? The only bands I know making that kind of dough are cover bands and they allllllllllll think its GOOD money.
How does this chooch expect bands to be making $1,000 a night playing at the HOB in front of 50 people? Doesn't work that way...

Our band makes $300 to $600 for most of our gigs and we ain't a cover band. About the only places we don't make a guarantee are HOB and the Mews. For most bars, the band pay is still what it was in the 70's and 80's. Ask any musician who played in Des Moines back then.

We've been suckered into a few of those benefits and exposure gigs. but you learn quick.