It occurs to me that,,,,,,,

Posted by Roger Martin on January 29, 2010 at 1:04pm
 Sometimes we spend a lot of time wondering where we can perform.
Take a look at your area. Are there regular shopping malls there?
 Take a fresh look at possibilities,think outside the box.
 Most of my customers never heard of a CBG before they hear mine.Talk to people in places that you wouldnt consider as a "perform" place.
 Get permission to give it a try, and see what happens.
You might just be surprised at how the non musical public reacts to your bangin your box.
 ya never know until you try.

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Replies

  • Roger Martin January 31, 2010 at 1:52pm
    One thing we tend to do is think in terms of playing in natural music areas.
    That limits your possibles. Think in terms of areas where music might seem a little odd.NOW your possibilities just opened up!
    We forget sometimes since we're consumed with these instruments that MOST PEOPLE never heard of them.Hard to believe but its true.Those are the people your going after, those are our targets if you will,
    What you will find when you play in an area where the people are not familiar with your music is how open folks are to a new form of music ( to them).They will come to YOU asking 2 questions, (1), do you build your own and how much they are?"
    )2) how do you build one"?
  • samsunight January 31, 2010 at 12:29pm
    Places that I've gigged, or seen someone gig that surprised me:

    1) Farmer's Market- There's one over in Delaware that advertises music on Saturdays. There was a bluegrass band there one Saturday.

    2) Gift shop- A lady who owned a gift shop was looking for someone to play jazz guitar while people milled about. Easy gig and decent money.

    3) Daycares- Willing to play kid's songs?

    4) Art festivals

    5) Flea Markets

    6) Busking- check to see if it's legal first (wrote this before I saw the other replies. Keeping it, rather than changing the numbers around!"

    7) Town Squares- many towns have an "Arts Council" that try to have some sort of live entertainment

    8) Libraries- larger libraries try to have "events" that attract families in the evenings. They would have a conference room that they would let you use.

    More when I can remember....
  • One String Willie January 30, 2010 at 6:56pm
    Doc Oakroot shared this a few years ago--its' a web site that lists open mics

    http://openmikes.org/

    Some of the info is outdated, but it is another place to start looking.

    Best regards, Willie
  • Shane Speal January 30, 2010 at 1:07pm
    York Pa has a minor league ball team, The Revolution. I'm looking into busking around their front gates during home games.
  • Rich Amazing Dick Leufstedt January 29, 2010 at 8:25pm
    I'm gonna spend my $ 1.00 this Spring and busk for beer money .
    Up here in Worcester Mass theres been talk in the music community to try and start a busking scene.
    I'll be there with my CBG and Ukes.
    AD
  • Wichita Sam January 29, 2010 at 7:50pm
    Heck yea, in Wichita KS, you need a street performer's license to play on the streets... and then you need the permission of the business the borders the public sidewalk where you sit down to play.... and yes, you can be fined if you don't get the license....

    But, even with the barriers, I'll be out there this spring....

    the best,

    Wichita Sam

    Nathan King said:
    Amen Roger. Thinking outside the box is the way to go. You really never know til you try, and you'd be surprised at how many people will hear you, wherever you are, and take note.

    One thing to keep in mind is, "get permission."

    I was shocked to learn that in Denver, Colorado, you need a street performer's license. Just to set up on a curb somewhere. And (correct me if I'm wrong) but I think you can get fined if you don't have that license. That really surprised me.

    Is it like that anywhere else? You need a busking license or something?
  • Nathan King January 29, 2010 at 4:59pm
    Amen Roger. Thinking outside the box is the way to go. You really never know til you try, and you'd be surprised at how many people will hear you, wherever you are, and take note.

    One thing to keep in mind is, "get permission."

    I was shocked to learn that in Denver, Colorado, you need a street performer's license. Just to set up on a curb somewhere. And (correct me if I'm wrong) but I think you can get fined if you don't have that license. That really surprised me.

    Is it like that anywhere else? You need a busking license or something?
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