This last July, my wife and I were thrown a wedding reception up in Wascott, WI. It was fun. Following the reception which was comprised of dinner and a local DJ (I know how you all love DJ's), we had another great blues band play at a local bar there. The Leon Laudenbach Band was stellar as usual. This is a bar that is situated 165 miles from their hometown of St. Cloud, in the middle of nowhere, the town having a population of about 150 people, who after hearing Leon and the boys playing there the previous year, demanded their encore performance. I just can't say enough about Leon and his band. They're so easy to book. So original. So inspiring, and their music so emotional and physically motivating. They play for the love of performing. It isn't about the money as much as it is about being worth more than they expect to be paid. This is a band that all young artist's should try and emulate and their attitude and appreciation towards being able to play their music is part of the reason for this blog as you will soon see.
One of the Music Menu's greatest joys regarding venues this year was meeting the new owner of JJ's Bar in Annandale, MN, which is now called the Annandale Roadhouse. The owners, Tim & Mary Frei and their son's Andy, Joe and Jeff all contribute equally to the development of the Roadhouse. The Frei's take the term 'family business' to a whole new level. These guys are smart and it didn't take much help from anyone to get to where this venue is today. If only other venue's would follow the Roadhouses lead. Yeah sure, they had some bumps and bruises along this past 3 or 4 month road but, they heal quickly for this steadfast family and I think we can expect to see them as a major player in the Music venue business for a long time to come. Congratulations Frei's. Great bar and your dedication to understanding your customer's desires is inspiring (maybe not the 'toss the midget bowling' though).
All right, down to bidnis. I'm starting with venues here. When venue's ask me the age-old question; "which bands are going to bring in the most people?", I generally have to sit there for a minute and collect my cranberries. Then I tell them this; It is not the band's job to bring in people to your venue. If your drink specials, food specials, food and drink quality, ambiance, sanitation upkeep and a hundred other components are not in line with the very local economy, there is no band that can bring them in without you paying a handsome price every time. Live music should be a gift to your established clientele. It should be looked at as a favor and as a reward from and to, your clientele. The reward is, we've given you all we got and in turn, you have provided us with your patronage. The favor is that you would stay and enjoy this reward, this music, beyond your normal, everyday visits duration to 'our' establishment. The Frei's figured this out rather quickly. They figured it out because they sought feedback. The feedback was respected and because of that respect, quick and decisive action was taken.
Unlike in the 50's, 60's and 70's, there are now bars everywhere, entertainment everywhere, cops handing out dui's everywhere and absolutely no reason for people to drive and to risk their lives to see a band at all while paying $4.00/drink at your bar. The venue's have to do better than that. Not even your 25 cent chicken wings and two-fer-ones can compete with American Idol. Let me say it again. Your need for live music is a cover for everything else that's wrong with your venue. Your clients desire for live music will be the reward for their patronage. Got it? Good!
Bands- are you scared now, 'bout what this gangsta's got to say? You know why venue's pay $2,000.00 a night for some live bands? Because once you go for broke on an expensive band, your clients will not accept anything less. All venue's should learn that lesson. There's another reason as well. Bands that perform for less than they are worth are always sought after. This popularity becomes a tool to get a higher price and to fill their schedule. Let's face it, if a venue really thought you were doing the job well, you'd be booked there every other month. Utilizing that equation, it would only take 8-16 venues to fill your schedules solidly throughout the year. That should be easy if you deliver the goods. If your not working as much as you would like, you can continue to blame it on the filler-slop-shop bands that will play anywhere for a C note, or you can lower your expectations. It's that simple. Be worth more than you get and you'll get more gigs, which will lead to more demand/higher prices. Be worth less and you'll always wonder why these 'crap bands' are so popular. Most of my best bands are willing to play for under $700.00. These bands will out-perform any and all of the $2k bands on any night. It's the occasional $700.00 booking that I get them that helps with schedules staying filled. This in turn promotes popularity, and popularity will eventually promote higher prices.
We are now working on our second annual music menu catalog. If you as a solo, duo or band ensemble would like to be listed in our 2012 catalog, drop me a line and we'll get you in there.
Thank you to all the bands and venues in supporting the Music Menu.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
D. Carl Larson
Music Menu
musicmenu@mail.com
320-493-6417
