We want to have an informal policy for comp meals for musicians...nothing formal, but something that is fair and will be a perk
for a musician and guest. What works where you folks play?

1. We don't want to have a dollar limit or time restriction...tacky!

2. We're thinking of picking up the tab for a meal once a week for two for players who work at least two nights that week.

How do we define what we want to do so that everyone understands. Over the years, I've seen employee meal perks abused. One guy would bring his wife and three kids in prime time and expect preferential treatment, not tip, etc.

Most of the time, musicians have been gracious and good guests.

What works where you folks work?


Russ

One place I play provides a special meal for all employees at about 4:00 p.m. They open for the public at 5:00.
Harrah's Casino here gives a comp ticket for their restaurant for each member of the group each night they work. When I worked it as a single, they gave me two each night, but I think it was because they were used to haveing a duo.
I think one meal a week for two would be a great deal. That way I could bring my wife on a night off and we could enjoy ourselves.
DonM

[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 02-17-2004).]

Thanks!

We're going to give all musicians 1/2 price on their meal night of the performance and
a comp meal for two to once a month for the musicians who play multiple nights a month.

Only downside is, occasionally, they'll have to listen to me.

Russ

Russ,

I too wish I lived in Lexington and you could hire me. It sounds like you are going to treat the musicians with fairness and respect. I do have a cousin who lives in Lexington and we have stayed there a few times. If we ever visit again we'll have to dine where you are playing. My first real gig was at a restaurant where I played 6 to 9 every Friday and Saturday.

Don, don't use the free meal at Harrah's. You'll just waste it on those creepy things that swim in the creeks. Now if they had Lake Michigan perch among the choices you would really have something worth eating.

Tom

Tom...the main restaurant I work is Merrick Inn on Tates Creek Road. It's one of the premier restaurants in the South.The Murray family has operated this place, located in an old southern manor house, for over 30 years. The other establishment is Murray's. It's also located in an old house on Harrodsburg Road. Your cousin will know where these places are.Murray's was formerly the Homestead Restaurant.


Be great to have you visit.


Russ

http://www.themusicdifference.com/vendors/single-105-lexington-ky-locations-merric k-inn.html


Russ.....do you know these guys?
http://www.homesteadky.com/



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 02-17-2004).]

DNJ...that's Bobby, Jen and Libby (Mom) Murray.

This is the old Homestead Restaurant site.

The new Murrays' site will be up in a week or so. We made minor changes to the Homestead site prior to the name change announcing the purchase by the Murrays. The host was supposed to have disabled this site several months ago...glad you looked it up!

Russ

Russ.....great!!
I'll be looking for it soon....looks like a real nice cozy place to eat and be entertained.....god luck!

DNJ... I've heard of, but don't know Kevin Moreland. To my knowledge, he never performed at the Merrick Inn...at least not in the summer season the last 13 years. It's possible that he worked a night of so in the winter, but I'd be supprised. I'll have to ask the owners if they ever heard of him....

Interesting!

Russ

Judging by his website he sounds like he's a regular there

DNJ...this is interesting. I asked the owner, who opened the Merrick Inn over 30 years ago and a long-time bartender. Neither has heard of this guy. I noticed he lists a good number of local establishments. It could be that someone hired him to play a private party at one time.

Pretty crafty way to hussle, if you ask me. Evidently, if you search for Merrick Inn, you get his site. He really dosen't say anywhere that he actually works at the Merrick, only lists it as a loacation where he's performed. That's pretty sneaky, don't you think?

Russ

Hello! Great forums here - happy to have found you guys and gals!

> We want to have an informal policy for comp meals for musicians...
> What works where you folks play?

In my experience, the best scenario is to offer a free meal to each musician an hour before they are to start playing each night. There are several benefits to the restaurant owner which may not be immediately obvious.

First of all, it creates goodwill between you and the musician. Musicians are typically only thought of as an
amenity and given very little special treatment. It will set you apart from the rest of the pack. Something as
simple as designating a waitress/waiter to check on your musicians periodically though the night will go a LONG WAY in opening up that two-way street.

If they have brought a companion, they should expect to pay full price for their guests meal. Soft drinks on the
house, 1 drink with their meal, after that they should expect to pay full price for alcohol. Treated as equals, I
think that you'll find many of your musicians are EXCELLENT tippers if you have the right people. The right musicians
will also be promoting and generally creating a buzz and advertising for your restaurant.

Another thing you may want to consider is letting your musicians try a different dish each time. Your musicians are out talking with your crowd during breaks, and having sampled the food, will say stuff like..."Oh, I recommend the *insert dish* . I had it last week, and it was great!".

Some of your better horn players will probably not want to eat before they play. In that case, consider preparing their meal so they can take it home and re-heat it.

> I've heard of, but don't know Kevin Moreland. To my knowledge, he never performed at
the Merrick Inn
> ...at least not in the summer season the last 13 years. It's possible that he worked a night
of so
> in the winter, but I'd be supprised. I'll have to ask the owners if they ever heard of him....

Russ, I've worked a few private parties at Merrick and also as a sideman (which is why you didn't recognize my name) for Paul Osborne, Bob Bryant, John Knight, and Dave Hamon on the summer jobs. We had a little combo out by the pool. This was 5 years or so ago.

By the way, you can hear us at Emmett's on Friday March 26th with the trio (John will be
there, not sure about Bob yet). I'll also be on solo piano there TONIGHT from 6:30-9:30.

>DNJ...Judging by his website he sounds like he's a regular there

Nope, it is just on the list of places where I have worked before.

BTW, there are TONS of musicians here in the Lexington area to draw upon. Mainly I hang with the jazzers, but there are lots of other styles in there as well. Enjoy, Kev


http://www.themusicdifference.com/musician/



[This message has been edited by Kevin Moreland (edited 02-18-2004).]

Kevin....
Thanx so much for stoppin' by the SZ and clearing up all the confusion. Sounds like you guys are having a ball playing in Lexington. If I'm ever in the area I'll certainly look you up.

Take Care....

Donny

------------------
www.donnypesce.com

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 02-18-2004).]

Kevin...Bryant is a good friend of mine...say hello for me. Any group he or Paul plays in is always outstanding.

I recall that the apartment complex hires entertainment several times a summer for the residence and the event is held around the pool. Also, I remember Bob and others playing on a Monday or Tuesday five or so years ago. I have been working Wed thru Friday.

Stop by if you get a chance this summer. I'll be at Merrick from 7:00 til 10 Wed thru Saturday, as soon as the weather breaks...generally about May 10th.


Regards,


Russ