When the gigs dry up.....MAKE YOUR OWN!!

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 15 Mar 2005 10:56 am

In most areas of the good ol' USA the bar scene has pretty much dried up for pickin' jobs. There's a fun market right under your nose if you look for it! I play at least 6 to 7 times a month at Hardee's, that's right! Hardee's the hamburger franchise. A few years ago we took a couple of guitars into a Hardee's and just sat in the corner and jammed a little. In no time at all more people were coming in so we got a small PA set, added a bass player, later a drummer and before you knew it we had a complete band. This was on Thursday nights only but as it's progressed we've been doing it on some Saturday nights. It doesn't cost the venue a cent up front. We just have them furnish a free meal for the musicians and pass the hat, have 50/50 drawings etc. Last Saturday night we did the Hardee's in Chesapeake, Va. and made $57.00 each which ain't a lot of cash but for two hours (7:00 to 9:00 PM) it ain't bad! We've made as high as $81.00 each and as low as $35.00 but the fun and response of the folks is fabulous. The places are always packed, no smoking, no drunks to deal with, and always a bunch of folks who are happy to tote your equipment for you. We put out a printed schedule so the people know where the next gig is. I now do a Hardee's every Thursday night with one band and a couple of Saturdays a month with another band. I'm having more fun with these gigs than I did when I played full time.....Have a good 'un..JH

------------------
Livin' in the Past and Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

[This message was edited by Jerry Hayes on 15 March 2005 at 10:59 AM.]

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 15 Mar 2005 11:06 am

That's good thinking, and you're making more than the club musicians in Nashville...!

Ever take a steel there, or just regular guitar?

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 15 Mar 2005 11:18 am

Jerry, I agree with you. The same thing is playing out up here in the great white north and many musicians now play solo or possibly have multi talented guy with him or her.

The problem with making up your own gigs now days is that local bars, (we call them beer parlours up here)(much the same as chord runs ) do not and cannot afford to pay for a four or five member band.

I was with a blue grass band about a month ago that is well established in our area but, their gig dates are becoming fewer and further apart between shows.[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 15 March 2005 at 11:48 AM.]

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 15 Mar 2005 2:44 pm

Jerry, let us know where you're playing. I was in Virginia Beach this past weekend!

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 15 Mar 2005 9:51 pm

So does this mean that the poor overworked ASCAP and BMI reps will have to start hitting up the fast food joints now?

------------------
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 16 Mar 2005 4:45 am

Hey Rick, let me know the next time you come up if you would. This Thursday (3-17-05) We'll be at the Hardee's on Va.Beach Blvd. one block east of Witchduck Rd. On Friday night we're at the Woodmen of the World in Hampton and on Saturday night at the Hampton Moose Lodge.
Mark, let those ASCAP reps come on by, they probably wouldn't be able to get in. Have a good 'un....JH

------------------
Livin' in the Past and Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 16 Mar 2005 10:48 am

Jerry, Do you take a steel there, or just regular guitar?

r johnson · Post by **r johnson** » 18 Mar 2005 5:51 am

In Southeastern Michigan there are a number of Comunity Center that provide a room for bandsto play on Saturdays and Sundays. Some
Centers have a host Band and musicians and/or singer sign up and get there oportunity to perform. One venue has four bands each plays one Saturday per month. Another books a different band each Sunday. The time is 2:00pm til 5:30.
Each one of these venues is open to the public and draws 80 to 100 people on any given date. Some charge a couple of bucks to get in, some are free, some have a tip jar, some have a 50/50 with half going to the band. Some have refreshments you can buy, some have free coffee and goodies people donate.
The music is either Country or Blue Grass.
The people are there to hear music and they are very responsive. The musicians get a lot of repect.
I usually come home with $25 to $30 so it pays for the gas and a set of strings.
The best part is playing music
for the people.
So the orginator of this post is right, you can make your own gigs.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 18 Mar 2005 10:13 am

Jim, on about half the gigs we use the steel, eithe myself or a player named Rick Mann. When we were doing them with the Legends band we used both steel & keyboard...JH

------------------
Livin' in the Past and Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 18 Mar 2005 10:23 am

How does the average Hardee's customer react to the steel?

Tom Stolaski · Post by **Tom Stolaski** » 18 Mar 2005 10:43 am

I played a Burger King in 1992 in Michigan during the Christmas season. There was a small stage where a Magician performed every week for birthday parties. Brought in some Christmas Kareoke tapes to play along with. There were a lot of customers asking THE question - what is that instrument you are playing? It was a good way to expose the instrument to kids while they ate cheese burgers. I had no intention of making a carrer out of it though. Sounds like you have got a good thing going. Good luck.....