It's "for charity"

[Dan Dare]

Just been offered yet another charity (i.e. everyone bar the musicians gets paid) gig. Support a good cause, "exposure", etc, etc.

 

As we're not completely heartless bar stewards and the good cause in question was a reasonable one, we suggested we might be paid expenses, so that, whilst we give our time and effort for free, we don't actually make a loss on the evening. Petrol still needs to be paid for, we'll need a drink or two plus something to eat and so on.

 

Cue pearl clutching on the part of the organiser, "but it's for charity, etc". "We realise that", we replied. "We don't expect to profit. We just don't want to lose money". They were not happy, so we said we'd pass, thanks.

 

What is wrong with these people? Are they wealthy dilettantes who don't have to worry about where the next penny comes from? Do the think everyone else is in the same privileged position as them?

[Sean]

In these situations the guys in the bands are the biggest contributors. It's not something I get involved in. You're effectively donating.

 

I used to ask if the bar staff were working free and if the beer profits went to the charity but now I just say, "Sorry, we're booked for a private function."

 

There're plenty of bands that'll play it.

 

And, a good standard response I keep in case I hear "that phrase", is "Yes, I know but we get all the exposure we need at paid gigs".  

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Sean

[Sean]

And, I'm sure I've posted this a few times over the years, going back about 15 years ago a band I was in used to get paid >£1000 or more for doing British Heart Foundation, CF Trust and other big charity fund raises. 

The mentality is that if you have quality entertainment the punters will part with more cash. 

[chris_b]

I’ve done charity gigs. They cost me money, so I expect to be paid. I object to the expectation that it's OK for musicians to give their time for free and no one else is expected to. They don't use that line on the bar, venue or catering companies!! I guess being a musician isn't a real job, so it doesn't matter!

 

Giving your time for free for charity? A neighbour used to be a senior executive in the Red Cross. You wouldn't want to know what his salary was, and pension now is!!!

Edited 45 minutes ago by chris_b

[Gizmo]

Ask what the CEO is on a year ? and offer to do it for 1% of that..