Bill Dutcher – Modern Acoustic Guitarist

It’s always great when I get a call to play a new venue.  My mind starts racing and I think, “I wonder what the stage and room is like?”  “How much gear do I need to bring or do they have P.A?”  “What’s the load-in like?”  There’s lot’s of ‘unknowns’ in these new situations but there is a great checklist that I like to go over before I head to the venue…

The first thing I like to confirm are the details of the room.  If the client is calling you, find out how they heard of you.  If it’s from another venue be ready to send a thank you card to that person for the referral.

1.  How big is the stage or the performance area?  Is there adequate access to A/C power outlets and how far are they from where I’m playing?  It’s always good to bring along an extra 25-30 ft. extension cord.  I’ve had situations where I was told that there are A/C outlets on stage but I had one experience where the ice machine and coolers were on the same circuit!…Not cool when your playing a pretty, quite piece and a 60 cycle hum kicks in on the chorus!

2.  What time can I load-in and soundcheck?  Where do I park to load-in?  Who is my contact when I arrive to load-in?Is there CLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED access to the stage?  Are there stairs?  If so, how many?  Am I playing indoors or outdoors.  If I’m playing at night are there house lights?  Will there be patrons at the establishment when I arrive?  I’ve had situations where I’ve had to load-in during a lunch hour or dinner and was not able to do a full sound check.  In those situations I performed a line check (making sure signal was present for all instruments and mics with the volume off). 

3.  Security for your gear and instruments.  Will my equipment be safe if left unattended after sound check?  Will there be someone there to watch it?  If there is a Green Room? (A private room backstage for artists to hang out and prepare for the show).  Find out if it can be securely locked if you choose to leave your personal items and instruments in there if you leave the venue after load-in.  I always travel with two 8′x8′ pieces of black cloth that I use to drape over my pedal board and rack gear.  Just a precaution to keep any ‘curious eyes’ from possibly stealing f/x pedals and such.  If you travel with your own microphone take it off the stand after sound check and stash it somewhere safe!

4. P.A Gear:  Does the venue have sound gear?  If so, chances are it’s adequate for the room.  Do they provide a sound man?  If not bring a good pair of running shoes as you may be running back and forth from the stage to the soundboard when sound checking!…In other words give yourself plenty of time if this is the case.  Do they have monitors.  Some peoples perception of what sound gear is can be very different from what you think so verify make, models and how many!    If you bring your own gear ask what is the capacity of the room.  You’ll then know if your gear will fit the bill or if you need to bring more. Some rooms may request a tech rider and stage layout diagram asking for your requirements.  Have these ready!

5. After the gig:  Before hanging up the phone after you initially book the gig confirm with whom you need to talk with that night to get paid.  Is it cash or check?  Make sure they know who to make the check out to.  Are there ticket sales?  Who will be collecting at the door?  If there are ticket sales plan time to sit down with the manager of the venue that night to reconcile ticket sales and money brought in.  What’s the percentage and split if any of all monies brought in?  Some rooms will pay a flat guarantee, some will only do ticket sales, some might do combinations of both.  VERIFY this before hanging up the phone!  Now is a good time to tell them you’ll put all of this in writing and fax over a contract that confirms all details so there’s no confusion that night.  Make sure to bring a copy of the agreement with you if there are any discrepancies.  Some rooms will want to pay you a little bit later after the gig as they have responsibilities of shutting the venue down so use that time to strike your gear and get packed up, or meet and great with patrons and sell merchandise.  Some rooms will want to pay you right after your done.  If so, don’t waste time!  Find that person, get the money then bust-ass packing.  These people have families and want to get home.  If you enjoyed the gig  and the crowd went nuts and want to come back, now is the time to book a future date.  Whoever paid you, look that person straight in the eye, shake there hand thanking them and say, “I really enjoyed the show tonight and  received so many great compliments from your crowd.”  “You have a wonderful staff and I appreciate everyone here helping me with tonight’s show.”  Hand this person a business card and say, ” I’d love to come back. I’ll call (Contact name here) tomorrow and see what open dates are available.”

In closing; There are so many of us players that practice, practice, practice and yes, while we can have all the ’ chops from hell’ you have to have a smart business sense, charisma and personality that equally, if not supercedes, your playing ability.  I used to work in music retail sales and went to all these training seminars on how to sell.  I’m glad I did because I’m still using all those same ‘closing techniques’ on getting gigs.  The only difference is that the product I’m selling is ME and not a GUITAR!  Pick up a copy of Harry Friedman’s “No Thanks, Just Looking”…You’ll be glad you did.