When people find out that I’m retired from teaching, they sometimes ask me what I do all day. I tell them that I spend a lot of time talking on the phone — no, not to my buddies or to old girl friends. I talk to complete strangers who evidently wish to remain that way. We have conversations like these:

Me: “Is your booking agent in?”
Person on Phone: “You want who, honey? No, I’m afraid we don’t do books here. We’re a restaurant.”
Me: “I represent a musical duo called Sound Traveler. Do you have live music?”
Person on Phone: “No, the weather is cold and the tourists haven’t arrived yet. You need to speak with Kirk.”
Me: “May I speak with Kirk?”
Pause…(mumble mumble, garble garble)
Person on Phone: “You still on the line?”
Me: “Yes.”
Person on Phone: “Kirk’s in an important meeting and he can’t come to the phone.”
Me: “When would I be likely to reach him?”
Person on Phone: “Uhh, he should be available tomorrow around eleven.”

Well, when I call back the next day at eleven, Kirk again is unavailable, but four o’clock is suggested. And you know what happens at four, at six, and whatever other time is suggested. The man has mysteriously vanished!

A band has two very important functions. One function is to produce the best music possible, whether originals or covers. The other function is to market its music to available clients for reasonable prices. Producing music is work, but it is fun and relatively straightforward work. Some talent, some skill, and some good strong effort usually provide music of value. But marketing is often tedious and discouraging.

When people hear us perform, they often suggest other places where we might also like to play. Several people suggested a place in the area, and Patty decided to check it out. When Patty arrived at the location, there was a sign out front advertising live music, and listing the bands on the schedule. When Patty went in, she had a conversation that went something like this:

Patty: “I see you have live music. Some people suggested that we might be a good band for this venue.”
The Owner: “We don’t have live music.”
Patty: “But you have a sign outside that lists performers that play live music here.”
The Owner: “Those are some guys that have been with us forever. We have to help them out when we can, but we’re not hiring live music…”

These are tough times for everyone, and we are relatively new kids on this block. Besides, everyone knows that performers have always had to work hard to get the good gigs. The Beatles were turned down by Decca Records who said that guitar bands were on their way out. The Jimi Hendrix Experience was booed off the stage when they opened for the Monkees. Untold others have never even been given the chance to be heard. So all in all, we’ve been pretty lucky to have already had a number of opportunities on the Space Coast, and we’re very thankful to all of those who have provided us with opportunities to play.

So phone call by phone call, visit by visit, performance by performance the business grows – slowly at times – but it grows. And best of all, we get to make sweet music together.– Bob Tatum

Sound Traveler has a performance in Melbourne this coming Sunday, and we will be in Savannah, Georgia for the wedding of a close friend the weekend following that. Next month we will be playing on Florida’s west coast. Check the schedule for details as they develop.

To leave a response, click on the title, scroll down, and share your experience and/or opinions.

6 Comments to “SongTravelin’: 02.11.11 – Don’t Call Us….”

• February 11, 2011 at 9:13 am
  Laurence says:

  Face it, you’re not Lady Gaga. Restaurants don’t need local live music. They can use sound systems, DJs, televisions, and even karaoke to keep customers entertained. Things change. It ain’t like it used to be when there was a band in every bar.
• February 11, 2011 at 2:06 pm
  Linda Tatum says:

  Interesting…Jep and I are attracted to places with a “Live Music” sign out front of their businesses. Our problem is that the live music usually doesn’t start until our bedtime!
• February 11, 2011 at 4:09 pm
  Bob says:

  You know, it doesn’t have to be that way. I know you and Jep are both good at subtly suggesting something to the restaurant. Some places have an early “easy-listening” show and a later “hard-driving” show. But when we come to Texas, we will do an early and a late show for you!
• February 14, 2011 at 3:10 pm
  Patty says:

  The promotion end of the business is tough. I can testify, as I’ve done my share of it. Although these days we technically share the workload, Bob gets to do most of it since I’m employed full-time outside the music biz.

  I just wish people would be honest and tell us what they do or do not need. It would save everyone a lot of time and trouble.
• March 9, 2011 at 9:09 am
  Kyra says:

  Now that is weird Yep. It is happening now.
• March 9, 2011 at 9:10 am
  Casey says:

  Your blog is so informative … keep up the good work!!!!