re: how much for a gig?

[alciere@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

I have two bands. The Electric Starlight Space Animals haven't ever had a 
paying gig. We have way too much fun and play all originals. We like playing 
for benefits.This isn't all bad. We play a lot for high school kids, an 
audience we never get at the bars, so it's fun. Gives us a chance to 
encourage the kids to play too. Oh yeah, we only know 10 songs-hard to 
stretch that too far. 

The Cooper Hill Band tries to get at least $50.00 a piece, plus 3 free beers 
and dinner if we can possible push for it. We used to play 2-3 weekends a 
month all summer, but most of the bars have closed. On a good day the band 
can fake 30-50 songs plus we usually sneak Wooly Bully in at least twice. 

Of course we've played free at wedding because the bride smiled sweetly, 
played free at parties because it looked like fun, etc. We're easily conned. 
If a bar wants us to play from 8pm to 1 am, with two short breaks and really 
put on a show, well that's a lot of work. That requires a lot of planning 
and effort so we like to get paid. If it's a party, we like to get gas money 
for the drummer plus we're more relaxed, longer breaks, the band (except for 
me, I'm always the driver) is more liquored up. We usually either forget the 
set list or lose it. Remember the tee shirts and CDs. We never have, but we 
will one of these days. Oh yeah, try and organize a mailing list. We have 
one with 10 names on it. I mailed everyone on the list some band comics last 
Christmas. 

If you haven't gigged regularly, a full night can be draining, especially if 
you're dancing and putting on a show. I'm usually wiped the next day, and I 
don't drink. It's a lot of fun. 

Rainbow Jimmy
http://www.spaceanimals.com
http://www.mp3.com/spaceanimals