Bluewine

Thanks Mart, We have a thriving local live band music scene here. However it's all free. It's not 1980, people are not going to pay to see local bands no matter how good they are or how much you promote and advertise. Daryl

Hi Dave, No paid rehearsal. The organisers have officially canceled the show. I'm bummed too. This was a classy room with a beautiful oversized bar. I was concerned about this gig as soon as I found out it was not apart of their outside roof top summer live music series. Is there anything to be learned here? Daryl

Update: I just received this text from the band leader. "If Thelma leaves it up to us, how do you guys feel about playing to a small crowd in a big venue?" I'm opting to do it. I don't have anything else to do. Lol Daryl

You guys know I get worried about ticketed events. We're not that kind of band. We do fine when we stay in our lane, festivals and fairs. Anyway I got a text from our band leader yesterday. " Hi guys:) It’s looking like Thelma is going to postpone the show Friday🙁 not enough tickets sold. I’ll keep you posted but wanted to give you a heads up. I’m emailing with the event coordinator. We sold 13 tickets, doesn't seem like they have a built in crowd. I'll confirm when they give me a definitive." The same organization has a roof top summer music series. Every Thursday night they have a band, food trucks, booze vendors and it's free. Now that gig has a huge built in crowd. That gig would be in our lane . Oh well, I guess it goes with the territory. Daryl

That looks like our Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee. Daryl

For the past 15 years it's always been an equal 4 way split. Tips can be huge ( I've seen as much as $ 900.00) over here and we split that equally, however we will share some of our tips with the bar staff. Daryl

"After a bit of time off, we look forward to returning to Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts on Friday May 3rd! Get your tickets and join the party!" Ticket sales, that always scares me. Daryl

Nice Job! Daryl

We played a sound provided theatre gig last month. Great sound but not tidy. Daryl

Thanks Dave, Thelma Performing Arts will do some advertising and so will we. I'll be reporting on the gig with pics. Daryl

Looks like your another " upfront " guy. Daryl

May 3rd , Thelma Performing Arts Center is my next gig. Tickets are $20.00 and the event an hour away from our base. I don't know how we're going draw even a respectable size crowd. Daryl

Being able to see the kick drum pedal is a good idea. However I'm more concerned about the crowd seeing me. Lol Daryl

I've always been an up front stage guy. I won't position myself in corners back by the drummer . Daryl

Nice job Jack ! Daryl

We own our own sound and lights which includes two haze machines. One for each side of the stage. It looks great, however most of our big stage gigs provide professional sound and lights. For smaller gigs our lighting and sound would be overkill. The pic is from a " tent gig". One of the few gigs where we used our full arsenal of sound & lights. Daryl

Nice lighting! Daryl

I wish I would have kept my Dan Electro Long Horn. Daryl

Our busy season doesn't start until May 3rd at The Thelma Performing Art Center in Fondulac. It's a high end roof top gig. I've only had 1 gig for March & April . Daryl

Walked around in the theatre lobby hoping to get recognized. " Who wants to meet me? " lol Daryl

My condolences Gasman. Daryl

Our own sound & lights. We only travel with all that stuff for large premium pay gigs. Which isn't often as most of those gigs provide sound & lights. I don't know what any of it is. We're still paying for it. Daryl

We use RCF for our acoustic gigs. Daryl

Hi Dave, a little off topic. At 70 managing my behavior sober is a challenge in itself . A few examples: 1. Getting lost on the way to gigs. 2. Getting lost on the way home from gigs. 3. Not remembering the names of people that have been following the band for years. 4. My hearing is so bad my response to anything anyone asks me is " huh ? " 5. Panicking because your rig isn't working a few minutes before you start the show. And you realize you have the volume turned all the way down on your bass or you forgot to plug your bass in. As far as the flashing incident. I didn't see it so I pretended it didn't happen. Our band leader assured me it did indeed happen. Lol Daryl

Age and local or regional band opportunities will vary. I'm not sure what challenges the 70 year old at the local or regional level would bring. Overall I don't think age matters as much as it did 30 years ago. I think understanding how important committing to the "right band" for 70 year olds is crucial. Daryl