16251 Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 So, I just got an email from guy who has been booking me at Boston hotel. He got an email last minute to have jazz trio or less play on T-day. It's a four hour gig - background music for buffet. What do you think he offered me? Also, what would you consider fair? AvantGrand N2 | ES520 | Gallien-Krueger MK & MP | https://soundcloud.com/pete36251 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoodyBluesKeys Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I'm guessing the offer was low - or you would have already agreed and not created the thread. Don't know you, or whether or not you have family at home; but I personally wouldn't leave home on Thanksgiving day without making double my regular rate (I don't gig professionally, but I do operate a business). The amount of money also would have to be enough for the trio or duo the each be paid properly, otherwise it would be a solo act. Howard Grand|Hamm SK1-73|Kurz PC2|PC2X|PC3|PC3X|PC361; QSC K10's HP DAW|Epi Les Paul & LP 5-str bass|iPad mini2 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16251 Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share Posted November 26, 2013 $90 and I'm not sure if there would be 3 people on gig. AvantGrand N2 | ES520 | Gallien-Krueger MK & MP | https://soundcloud.com/pete36251 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadslayer Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 What do you think he offered me? I'm guessing he offered to let you help yourselves at the buffet. If you were in L.A. it would have been a turkey sandwich in the kitchen away from the paying guests. Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. -Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJUSCULE Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 90 bones for four hours on a holiday? And he wants a trio? This calls for a very sad chuckle... Eric Website Gear page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16251 Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share Posted November 26, 2013 90 bones for four hours on a holiday? And he wants a trio? This calls for a very sad chuckle... exactly why I posted. It will make many others who think they're underpaid quite happy they're not working for pennies. BTW I would do it for $200. It's not NYC. AvantGrand N2 | ES520 | Gallien-Krueger MK & MP | https://soundcloud.com/pete36251 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 $90 and I'm not sure if there would be 3 people on gig. Ouch. My band made about 10 times that last Saturday for 2x 1hr sets at a local beer festival. OK so it's 6 people, but it's not Thanksgiving. Even $200 for four hours of solo piano is a cheap price. Cheers, Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonysounds Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 90 bones for four hours on a holiday? And he wants a trio? This calls for a very sad chuckle... exactly why I posted. It will make many others who think they're underpaid quite happy they're not working for pennies. BTW I would do it for $200. It's not NYC. Fk that. $200 for a trio (or solo)? Regardless, it's Thanksgiving, and I wouldn't provide a soloist, much less a trio, for $200. I shudder to think what this guy pays you for your regular gigs. Hitting "Play" does NOT constitute live performance. -Me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drawback Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I think the bartender is making more than you. ____________________________________Rod victoria bc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Wright Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I would have to think hard about accepting $100.00/player for a 4 hour gig on a holiday. p.s. I would have no issue with charging double on a holiday gig, $200.00/player, or stay home with my family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluMunk Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I think I've posted it here somewhere before, but the last holiday gig I took (that wasn't for fun and/or charity) was for New Years' Eve, and the restaurant ended up paying the singer and I $125 each for a 2 hour show for a room with $55/person prix fixe menu. Never again, never again. 4 hours on Thanksgiving? Depends on what kind of money you're used to making, but bare minimum for me would be $300, and that's the "friends and family" rate for a holiday. More reasonable would be $400-500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 Double isn't nearly enough for a holiday gig. I realize that auto union rules were time & a half for overtime, double-time for Sundays & holidays (IIRC), but ... that's for factory work. If pro musicians are willing to play holiday gigs for that low, I'm very sad for them. I like the $100/hr per person rate ABOLUTE minimum. That's $400, or $1200 for a trio, and still seems lowballing. I mean, I play for fun, and I understand folks playing cheap gigs for fun, but T-day is a family holiday! It COSTS you to miss that shit, so you better make sure it's paid for. In jewelry, if necessary. And that's for someone who's not used to playing union scale. For anyone on the union circuit, sheesh -- it should be more. $90 is an insult. As someone who plays for fun for free, I'd be offended by an offer like that. It's like saying "You have no life and no people, and will only be home sand lonely anyway. You should pay US to come play." F*ck that sh*t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Wright Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 If pro musicians are willing to play holiday gigs for that low, I'm very sad for them.I like the $100/hr per person rate ABOLUTE minimum. That's $400, or $1200 for a trio, and still seems lowballing. The top of the heap bar gig locally is $100.00/player 4pc 3pc don't matter, for the night, with minimal production. We are in a bad area for decent gigs. I am sure that most here have gotten much more in the good old days! When I have done a duo with my guitar player, we do better than that. With some guys playing for free, , it's tough to get any more. Doubling for a holiday is more than most can hope, but I'll stay home if I don't get it. I like the $100/hr rate too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16251 Posted November 26, 2013 Author Share Posted November 26, 2013 What I suspect is going on is he negotiated the average pay for a holiday gig, he just wants to keep 70% of the money. The other gigs are below average pay but he gets these gigs with the gift of the BS. I've benefited from the experience, but holidays are gonna cost ya. Another common thread I see here, is these band leaders who treat subs better than their trusted regulars. Hey, I'm not trying to sound like sour grapes. I'm lazy and am grateful for the leaders I've worked for over the years. AvantGrand N2 | ES520 | Gallien-Krueger MK & MP | https://soundcloud.com/pete36251 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I have a 12- 2pm Thanksgiving gig. Solo piano for $300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickzjamm Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 As somebody who's played holiday gigs for many many years, unless you really need the cash I say family's more important on a holiday. It's amazing and sad how hotels, clubs and other venues view working musicians... but it's always been like that. BTW, happy Thanksgiving! You don't know you're in the dark until you're in the light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doerfler Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 I think the bartender is making more than you. you can bet on that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglow Posted November 26, 2013 Share Posted November 26, 2013 ....but T-day is a family holiday! It COSTS you to miss that shit.... +1 We only have a finite number of these things in our lifetime. $90.00? I would tell that guy to do something that is physiologically impossible. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ITGITC Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 $90.00? I would tell that guy to do something that is physiologically impossible. Well... dollar bills will probably fold and get all crinkley-nasty & stuff. How 'bout quarters? $90.00 in quarters... let's see. If my math is correct, that's about a gazillion quarters up da butt! Kinda like when Bob Eubanks asked the contestant, "Where specifically will your wife say is the weirdest place she's ever gotten the urge to make whoopee?" And SHE said... Well, you know the rest. [video:youtube]1T5E4cVwyBE "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeyMoe Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Just say NO! Holidays are special and you should be compensated accordingly. I have a 4 pc brunch gig from 10-3. The pay is far greater than that! Montage 7, Mojo 61, PC-3, XK-3c Pro, Kronos 88, Hammond SK-1, Motif XF- 7, Hammond SK-2, Roland FR-1, FR-18, Hammond B3 - Blond, Hammond BV -Cherry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 Just say NO! Holidays are special I'd rather spend the holiday with family... and football. This thread reminds me of a (solo) winery gig I heard about this past summer. From what I recall, it only paid $50 for a two-hour gig. When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusker Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 I'm in the land of very little live music, so I can relate to a degree...but that's absurd. I'd say no to $300 per player in this scenario, but this isn't my primary gig. The only way I'd say yes would take such a ridiculous amount of money that my wife would be pissed at me for saying no. Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglow Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 $90.00? I would tell that guy to do something that is physiologically impossible. Well... dollar bills will probably fold and get all crinkley-nasty & stuff. How 'bout quarters? $90.00 in quarters... let's see. If my math is correct, that's about a gazillion quarters up da butt! Ha! I like your....err....angle, but I was thinking of something more along the lines of, "Go #%$& yourself." "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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