Spalding, I'm in the marketing/publishing business. We do film work, packaging, web work and publications for Fortune 500 organizations, Universities, large multi-state financial holding companies and lots of foreign manufacturers.

Sadly, I don't have a web site, demo disk or even a publicity photo. In spite of that, I've been off a total of 9 weeks in 53 years...started at an officers club in Fairbanks, Alaska just after I turned 11. Most time off was moves between bases (my Dad was in the Air Force). I currently have job offers from three of the top venues in the area and over 200 private society one-nighters booked for the rest of the year.

Promotion is all interpersonal communications, usually involving business other than the music business at first.

I haven't had to look for a job, ever. But, in my case, a lot of the business comes from client connections, and talent is less important than it really should be. On a typical night, I'll have 20-25 business related folks/acquaintences in the audience. Thing is, Lexington, Kentucky is the biggest "one horse" town in the country. You're either "in" or not. We have the horse industry culture, the academic culture (UK, Transylvania University and a few others)
and the old money (farm) culture. Luckily, I'm associated with all three thru family members or long-time associates.

It's really hard to break in, but once you're an insider, always an insider, unless you go broke, and then no-one will even talk to you.
Pretty exclusive and snobbish. My father-in-law is from an old farm family. His dad was a local physician, he's a nationally respected psychiatrist and board member of both UK and Transy. That got me access to the money people and opinion leaders in the area.

I could care less if I stay on this job. It could be replaced with one as good or better with one phone call. I'd just be pissed off if I lost it to a lesser player who would work for nothing.


Russ