Questions for Super Busy Giggers

[tj]

A post elsewhere by John/Crystal Image got me wondering about this topic. He mentioned that he is doing 200+ per year. I averaged 100+/- at my busiest and .... yikes!

Questions I have for those of you that gig , say, over 100 per year.

1) What, if anything, special do you do to manage the physicality of gigging that much? That's just to play...
2) Can I assume you MUST have roadies to move equipment if you gig that much? If not, how do you manage the physicality of doing that and playing.
3) What is the "mix" of gigs? I assume doing 200 per year does NOT equal 200 club gigs at 3-4 hours each. Correct? So...what other types?
4) What is the average length (time wise) of one of your gigs?
5) 200 a year is 4 per week on average. Is that spread over 4 days or multiple per day?
6) What special considerations are needed logistically? For instance, multiple gigs per day either means multiple set up..or...you have multiple sets of equipment? Also, what needs to be done to make sure everybody in the band shows up....other than all piling in the same van....or, are you all piling in the same van?
7) Who is booking, promoting, etc. for this much gigging? I assume it is NOT the band members for the most part..correct?


OK..........enough questions for now. Looking forward for your responses.

TJ

[Richard]

I do 21-40 gigs a year. At my busiest EVER, I played just over 100 gigs a year.

[kenb]

I show 250 shows last year and 112 the year before on my calendar. Most of those are paid, but there's a few that were freebies, I'm sure. And there were cancellations also, but probably picked up a few that are not on my schedule. I don't haul equipment, I play mando, so i have that and a box of pedals. I usually ride with the band in the bus/van.

I also do solo and duo or trio shows, mostly party type things

I play in numerous bands, mainly 2Me, who does probably 100 plus shows a year, we tour the US twice a year and do West Coast tours probably 3 times a year. Our drummer books it all, he's a freakin bookin animal!

That band mostly plays split shows so we rarely play more than 2 hours. I play in a few bands that rarely do more than 45 minutes, and my band (Mandolin Avenue) plays parties that go up to 4 hours, (but we get paid pretty well, just not very often).

Just for an instance, One day last year on a Friday, Played on channel 10 at 6AM with 2Me, a duo lunch show at a old folks home, afternoon, show on 90.9, Ceasar Chavez Park, then Marilyn's that night. All of that was 2Me except the duo show. We also had at least three more 3 and 4 gig per day deals. I don't know how but we seem to play early morning shows pretty often

And we had a few2 of 3 and 4 show days in Arkansas and Mississippi on a couple of our tours

I'm way down this year, probably about 90 gigs. I've missed a couple of trips due to health problems, but now I'm better and next year should be really good, a few less gigs, but better money, got a new project that is looking very promising for some really good gigs, plus 2Me is rolling, festival stuff coming up and a couple of tours, and maybe even a Cabo trip.

[tug]

glad to hear you're feeling better ken. now get back to work 8*}

[jlev]

Just wanted to say that I have averaged over 225 gigs a year for my entire adult life(almost 40 years). When I get back from tonights gig I will answer your questions in detail. And no, I don't have a roadey and yes most of my gigs are 4 hours.

[jlev]

1. Well, these days I exercise, eat, try to get enough sleep. In the past I may have coped differently. Being an older type person, I do get tired and have some chronic physical issues from all these years of playing, but it's my job.

2. No roadie, sometimes people might help. As a bass player I don't have much to set up. Schlepings a pain. I ask for help from the guys if I need it.

3. I play in a bunch of bands that work in different types of venues. A majority still are 3-4 hour cub gigs, but the better ones are usually shorter. I do a lot of county fairs and festivals in the summer with a zydeco band and also do dinner houses, art galleries and wineries.

[jlev]

5. It differs. I love to double or triple up.

6. Again as a bass player my set up is quick. I have learned to realistic about doubling, make sure there is plenty of time to make the later gig. As far as the band showing up, I just try to work with professionals.

7. It differs. I usually have a couple of weekly house gigs, usually hosting jams.

[tj]

OK....so one common theme (if two response can qualify for a "theme") is playing with mulitple formats, bands, configurations, etc.

And.....where do I find a "freakin' booking machine?" ;D That is a subject for another time perhaps but definately a "must have".

[kenb]

Yeah the booking machine is the tough one. Our drummer does not know what "no" means. He is still way young, but has business sense like many very successful people in their fifties. He knows down to the penny how much we've made or lost all the time, and he is booking while we drive. You can check us out at Marilyn's this Friday. Some friends, the Damn Bullets, from Arkansas are opening for us at three shows this weekend.

Look for us. we are 2Me

[jlev]

Ken, would your drummer like to be my manager?

Sorry I can't make the 2Me show, got a last minute call for a gig.

[tj]

And of course, promoting your gigs is important...which is why I love kenb slipping in........."You can check us out at Marilyn's this Friday. Some friends, the Damn Bullets, from Arkansas are opening for us at three shows this weekend."