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Playin' for free.....

MisledMayhem	Date: September 5, 2004 @ 10:11 PM Who else plays free shows? I host a free community concert every year and also play a benefit show with the GSA annually. How do you guys like playin for free, do you feel like it's good exposure? Or do you feel like it's just another show where I don't get paid! Lay down your thoughts folks.
sinai	Date: September 5, 2004 @ 10:33 PM if i had a blast, then i got paid
djeffectz	Date: September 5, 2004 @ 11:27 PM I sing for free all the time at events and things. I have never charged for that.
Droquen	Date: September 6, 2004 @ 12:17 AM My band played for free all the time. It's just fun to play for people and well it's a way to get exposure in the beginning.
onewhodreams	Date: September 6, 2004 @ 1:28 AM I don't mind playing for free - but it's awfully nice to get paid for all the years of hard work...
billhudson	Date: September 6, 2004 @ 1:37 PM I sometimes play for a good cause. But I have to make a living. I play music fulltime so I have to keep the rent paid and so on. Still Pickin' B.H.
GTLive	Date: September 6, 2004 @ 2:22 PM WTG sinai1. Agree 100% Whatever works for the individual, I am just in it for the playing myself...
geetarman	Date: September 8, 2004 @ 11:11 AM Remember: It's not what you are worth, it's what you negotiate. I play the Robin hood scenario in my head: If there is no money changing hands I'll consider it as a last resort. However, if they charge money or they are selling items, then charge till it hurts. Money is changing hands somewhere! Sometimes free appears amateurish against a group charging for their appearance. I would think Jerry Lewis gets compensated for his yearly "non-profit" appearances. So should the musician or group! The "exposure" argument hits a sour note in my book
johnnygnote	Date: September 8, 2004 @ 4:27 PM Bill's got a point, over the years when I depended on music as my sole income I would still do a benifit or 10 each year and while I lived in Santa Cruz and Austin I would play the Street with my case open of course but most of the time it would amount to playing for free, even though I had good paying gigs as a solo and in bands I would still do it. Busking (street playing) is a gas and I highly recomend it to people who have never done it. I know of several very famous people who have done it..."He was playing real good for free".....
woodhead	Date: September 8, 2004 @ 11:45 PM I agree guit man, with a lot you are saying. You never really play for free, in reality. The first thing for a "new" band isto have all your ducks in a row. First of all, every one here at dmusic has a computer or access to one. the Box is a great tool, you can record your cd, make the cover to your cd, make bumper stickers and if need be, have a way to make Tshirts (I strongly suggest against this aspect) but you can make you merch to sell at shows, andyou can get some cash in this manner. Also a lot of clubs where I live actually have you play for the door, you charge the admission and have your ppl run it then you divide the money between the bands playing if you like. and some clubs will even give you a cut of the bar (with friends like mine you will def make a nice penny doing so) Once your name is known then you can charge the club to pay you, but you must first prove that you can draw a crowd, it is the way the gane is played.
dicktruth	Date: September 9, 2004 @ 7:49 PM I only got payed once when my band played at a pub for a mate. £8. Rock on.
billhudson	Date: September 10, 2004 @ 12:38 AM Good post! "I would play the Street with my case open of course but most of the time it would amount to playing for free, even though I had good paying gigs as a solo " God, does that bring back some things,lol. I did about 2 years on the street when I was younger. Its a good school. Playing in bar, well from my point of view I am there to sell beer. If at the end of the night they have a good night, they call you back. If not they do not call. Its different playing at festivals. You do your set, sell your CD's, get some more names on a mailing list and then on to the next one. My self I like festivals, they are alot of fun. Still Pickin' Bill H.

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