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#466983 - 03/05/19 10:39 AM
Re: Booking Senior Events
[Re: GlennT]
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15574
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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Good topic, Glennf, though I disagree with Donny's assessment. When I was still working, I sent out colorful post cards to all of my ADs that were titled "15 Good Reasons To Celebrate" in which listed the names and dates of every holiday on the calendar for the year. This usually resulted in several dozen jobs, often added jobs to locations where I performed regularly. Next, at a dozen or more locations, we had a monthly birthday bash, often held in the evening right after supper from 7 till 8 p.m.. Another dozen or more jobs on the books. It was rare to see young folks at these events, and if there were some youngsters, the few that attended chimed in when we all sang Happy Birthday as a sing along. Every year or so, politicians had to raise cash for the reelections. This translates into evening jobs at dozens of locations throughout your area, all of which usually had some live music. The trick here was to find out who the contact person was, which usually involved some telephone calls to the party's central committees. Then it was a matter of setting up a meeting and providing the campaign manager with a quality CD and good promo package. This usually amounted to another 50 jobs for me on election years. I charged $500 for these election fund raiser parties, which often took place in a ballroom. Ironically, I usually played less than an hour because the wannabe politicians were constantly onstage promoting themselves with lengthy political speeches. Always got lots of attaboys from the campaign manager, and some of the politicians in attendance frequently asked for cards and if I would be willing to play at their fund raisers. To this, you can add private parties held at local restaurant banquet rooms. I promoted these by visiting the restaurants and talking with the owner/manager and providing them with a quality promo package including a CD. The promo package usually included a photo sheet that featured these type of parties. Promo photos go a long way in booking private parties, including something as small as a living room party. As you can plainly see, the secret to success is to be a good PR person, Salesman and of course, be able to provide high quality, diverse, musical entertainment program to your clients. This will usually result in repeat bookings from the same folks, and possibly bookings from those in attendance of the event. Good luck, Gary
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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#466992 - 03/05/19 01:35 PM
Re: Booking Senior Events
[Re: travlin'easy]
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Senior Member
Registered: 01/16/02
Posts: 14376
Loc: East Greenwich RI USA
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GlennT ... i don't want to speak for others, BUT, I do think that when Donny made this comment: Don't be fooled these 80 year old parties and older events have lots of younger people and grandchildren so you better be ready to play all the stuff that's out today,line dances Etc.. Players beware don't get caught in a situation you wish you weren't...I believe he was talking about 'private' parties for older people, not the NH/AL venues I believe Gary was referring to. In that regard, I would say Donny is right ... Anytime I get a call for an 'older' birthday party, anniversary, whatever, I always ask if there are younger people who are going to be there, so I know what to be prepared for ... Also, I find that more and more, at mixed age 'family' affairs (I'm not talking weddings) there is less and less dancing, possibly because a lot of attendees are there out of the need to fulfill an obligation rather than to really have a good time ... PS: Of course I was writing my response while Donny was posting his ...
Edited by tony mads usa (03/05/19 01:36 PM)
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t.
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#467001 - 03/05/19 02:17 PM
Re: Booking Senior Events
[Re: GlennT]
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Senior Member
Registered: 12/08/02
Posts: 15574
Loc: Forest Hill, MD USA
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Donny, I have always said I am not a musician, though a lot of folks sincerely think I am. At best, I am a hack musician. However, I have clearly stated I am an entertainer that has a reasonably good singing voice and have always been able to deliver the goods as you stated so many times, or the way I look at it, a full, musical entertainment package. If you cannot deliver the full package, have the ability to read an audience, you cannot possibly make it in this business. The senior circuit may be falling apart in some parts of the nation, but not here in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and out west in California, Oregon, Nevada and Washington. I communicate with folks regularly from all those areas and they are all doing quite well, command top pay rates and are booked solid. As tony said, the promo packages and followups are the key to getting your foot in the door, not an instant booking for life. Those bookings often do not come until after you have performed a job or two, thus if you provide the full, entertainment package, you now have demonstrated you can do the job effectively. Word of mouth just don't cut it these days. The folks that stay busy down here are those that promote themselves regularly using any promotional vehicle they can utilize. Good luck, Gary
_________________________
PSR-S950, TC Helicon Harmony-M, Digitech VR, Samson Q7, Sennheiser E855, Custom Console, and lots of other silly stuff!
K+E=W (Knowledge Plus Experience = Wisdom.)
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