Getting out and performing can be challenging enough but when you book your own shows, you could be working over-time in the stress department. Let’s talk about some of the aspects of being your own booking agent vs. hiring someone to keep you gigin.

Are you working a regular job? If so, I guess we can assume you have to buy out the time to make your contacts, some of which you'll be on the phone talking to during regular working hours. We can all agree that this could be taking a chance with your employment, especially if you are overheard by one of those people who can't manage to mind their own business, mostly because they simply don't have any.

Get your foot in the door. We would all like to play at the downtown convention center, where entertainment is always sought after, where clients are usually high rolling businessmen that can appreciate your band’s music and show respect to both the band and the establishment, the manager is happy with the drink flow so everybody is a winner. These gigs usually pay pretty well, especially when you are fortunate enough to play there at least a couple times per month.

However, until you have a great following, meaning you can count on a nice amount of friends and family to flood the venue with support, you will have to make deals sometime with small bars and clubs. Pay is never really great but the Idea is to get your foot in that door, make the owner know your scent.....Lol. Invite as many friends and family as possible to prove to these people you can make them money at that door but especially at that bar.

Ask for references. Provided you have been consistent with your shows, showing up on time. Bringing in bodies.....you can butter the owner up for some referrals. Most of these owners have associates that may have no problem trying your band out, which means you guys have to impress these establishments to a point where you are actually getting calls on a regular basis. Hey, that’s the way the game is played....."what can you do for me" is the reply of the century!

Club owner’s objective! If you think for one chance this club and bar owners are looking for the best guitars and bass players they can find or a band that is good with music and theory, you are making the biggest mistake known to man. These people are interested in selling alcohol! Alcohol! alcohol! It’s really not that personal when it comes down to it. If daffey duck could come in there and sell lots of alcohol, he would never be without a gig.

Of course, If you want to hire an agent, he will do all of your leg work for you.....To me, that sounds like a decent deal, that way I can concentrate on the artistry of music. I've met several good agents out there and I'm a firm believer that you truly get what you pay for. Get the right booking agent and you will be gigin' practically all of the time. You'll have to weigh that one.

I hope you do well in your search because it could be like searching for that, needle in the…. you know where. But just keep in mind, you always want to establish your following, this is the key to gaining more choices in where you play and of course, how much money you make. See ya'