Over the years I have come to realize that playing in a band is just like being back in high school. It has nothing to do with music anymore, but has everything to do with knowing and hanging out with the right people (who you know and who you blow). Now, I could see it for a major label band with delusions of grandeur (legends in their own showers if you will) but not for local bands.  Honestly, there isn’t a promoter or venue or show that is that prestigious.  Well, maybe a show… but then don’t you think that the promoter (almost all promoters play in bands themselves) would put his own band on that show.

So now I ask you… why are you letting all the promoters have all the power?... Because they book the venues…?!  Well, I’m going to let you in on a little secret… … … … if promoters don’t have bands to play a show then they are not promoters. So then how long do you think a venue will keep around someone that isn’t doing their job? 1 or 2 shows, maybe?

The funniest part of all this is that the more promoters and the more shows means that there is less people to go see your band. See, most of the people that go to the shows are musicians. Well, then if there are more shows that means that those musicians are play their own shows. Another thing, musicians are usually poor so shelling out $8.00 - $10.00 + drinks every night they aren’t playing won’t happen. The ideal situation would be to have 1 or 2 shows within a 20 mile radius and not have the same 5-10 bands playing those shows. This would be perfect for the bands playing (better draw, more money), the venues they are playing (better draw, more money) and the promoters who are booking the shows (better draw, more money). It also weeds out the lazy promoters that aren’t doing their job which is a win either way.

I know I can hear the bands out there thinking, “I will never get a show that way”, but you can. You just have to follow a few words or advice. If your band isn’t very good then practice more before you try and play your first show. You also don’t have to play every weekend. If you want to play that much… that’s fine but it doesn’t always have to be on stage in front of an audience. Trust me… the girl you are trying to nail will wait. It also give you time to practice more which means you will play better which then raises your chances ( girls don’t sleep with the loser who can play his instrument). Makes sense, huh?!

See, you learn something new every day…

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