SELL YOUSELF FIRST

Being a musician means you have to know how to play the instrument. Being an entertainer means you must go beyond just playing. And if you are dealing with people and money you should know a little about handle people.

First of all I agree with Jerry with that meatloaf thing.

Talking to the people who are booking me:
One is booking me as a steady, ala Don. The other is booking me for a party; wedding, anniversary, or whatever.
I sell them on the idea that I am a professional. I know how to make a party successful. I start with music that is not fast and build up an exciting end leaving people singing on their way out.

Dealing with the person who is paying for the band:

As you know my band has been very successful. Request or someone singing may hurt the excitement in the room, but if it is important to you we will do it.
The cocktail party should have one or two musicians. This will help people feel in a party mood before entering the main ballroom.

Musicians take 20 minutes of every hour. If we add continuous music they will play 55 minutes – resting only 5 minutes. My men walked out with 80% more dollars. I don’t remember ever taking 20 minutes off regardless of how booked the job. There were times when we played right through the hour.

OK, off my soap box --- bottom line; if you do not know how to handle people you WILL have problems. The man in the video did not sell himself as a pro. – He was more concerned about his feelings.

Nice using a video, you can say anything you want about the guy.
Thank you for reading, (smile)
(Nothing serious here) John C.