Finding The Next Gig

Steve Raybine:

Blog #50:

Finding The Next Gig

Here are eight ideas I use to find my next gig and keep my calendar full.

1. Follow the “grand opening” signs. Many business hire a band(or bands) for grand opening events. Contact the business office for local corporations and inquire about the possibility of you and your band performing for a grand opening ceremony—you might just get a great gig.

2. Cold calls=cold hard cash. I believe that, as a bandleader, you should make several solicited or unsolicited calls(on a monthly basis, with press kit in hand) to local venues that routinely feature music, where you would like to perform. The old method of approaching an unknown entity keeps you sharp and tests your mettle as a businessman. If you can survive the rejections that are inherent to this approach, you probably have the personal fortitude to survive in the music industry. Moreover, sometimes you actually get the gig, which is an affirmation of your business skills and musicianship.

3. Create opportunities where none exist. Assess the feasibility of establishing a music gig at a venue that currently does not feature music. Perhaps you can sell the owner on the idea of booking live music for a specified period of time. If the club decides to try music and your band does well, you might ultimately become the featured band at that particular establishment. If the owner rejects the idea, then all you’re out is a little of your time.

4. Ask your friends and neighbors about having your provide music for a private party. People inevitably throw parties and they may consider you, or your band, for entertainment. I have gotten some nice engagements using this friendly, yet direct, approach. As my Dad always used to tell me as a young boy, “Steve, don’t be afraid to talk to people or to approach them about some business proposition. After all, all they can say is no, and just because it’s no at the present time, doesn’t mean that it will remain so.”

5. Ask your friends and acquaintances to recommend you to their workplace for musical entertainment. Just as people host parties, many businesses have Christmas/holiday or other parties, where musical entertainment is included. A referral from one of your friends or associates may result in a gig. Once again, you will have to propose this suggestion to someone who may, or may not, be able to accommodate your request. In the music business, or any business for that matter, you must be able to handle rejection when it happens. Remember, you have more to gain—money, performing opportunities—than to lose by asking someone for a music recommendation.

6. Career day speeches may lead to extra income. Throughout the years I have donated my time to speak as a music representative at “career day” in middle schools. Once a year, I typically give three lectures to somewhere between 25 and 30 students in each section. Through the presentations, students, as well as teachers and parents, become aware of my teaching studio and my performing career. Invariably, I’ve been selected or recommended as a teacher for new students and have also obtained gigs, both for my band and as a vibe soloist. So, make yourself available as a guest lecturer to music students within school systems—it may be a lucrative enterprise for you.

7. Run an ad in an events magazine in your area. Civic leaders and prominent businesses in most cities monitor the definitive events magazine/journal in their cities. Running a stylish ad that outlines your musical services in those magazines should prove hopeful in generating more performing engagements.

8. Contact the various event coordinators and musical contractors in your city regarding musical entertainment. Most large or mid-size cities have numerous events coordinators and/or musical contractors who hire musicians and bands for a variety of events and recordings. Submit your press materials to these individuals and perhaps you will be offered a musical engagement at some point in time. If the job goes well; it may lead to more performing opportunities.

Whether you are successful in obtaining more engagements or not will be largely dependent upon your talent and your ability to speak to people, contact people, and ask for recommendations and referrals. Remember: Music is a people-oriented business and the more effective your communications skills are, off and on the bandstand, the more work you will generate for yourself.

Copyright 2008 Steve Raybine

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