"Making your act UNIQUE is key to having the public want your services....dont be just "another cover or solo act" they are a dime a dozen....ask yourself what would make you stand out from all the other acts, bar bands, and dj's out there?"

Take this how its intended...

Sometimes "Unique" can come off "gimmicky or contrived". There's really not a whole lot left of novel approaches for OMB-ers. IMO, the nature of what we do is already unique enough. Everyone is different, of course, but I come at from the other end of the spectrum. I wear low-key attire when I perform...Other than at formal gigs-you'd have a really hard time picking me out as the musician where I perform. I always wear nice trousers, nice, shirt, sweater, tie, etc....whatever...Everything is usually dry-cleaned, but I don't wear anything that's flashy. Its just not my style. I look professional, clean and appropriate, I'm told...

I don't talk much either...They didn't hire me to tell stories or jokes or anything else. If the evening leads me to a naturally funny moment, sure, I'll play it up a tad...but not too much. I say good evening at the start of every set, remind them a few times a night of my website, when I'll be back, etc. I've found that forcing things, at least for me, doesn't work so well.

At nursing homes/retirement communities I will talk a little more in the way of some trivia, some games, use some techniques to engage the residents and get them more involved. AD's LOVE it when you can stimulate their residents in a variety of ways. Its got to be short and sweet, because most people in a NH have the attention span of my 11 year old, which isn't much.

I play, I sing....That's it. I keep the songs rapid fire, learn requests, take tight breaks and give the clients every reason in the world to keep hiring me. From my client feedback forms...I'm usually described as warm, flexible and professional. That works fine for me...

Donnie's point is well taken, but know your limits, I'd suggest...

Bill in Dayton
www.billcorfield.com

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 11-06-2006).]