HOMEGROWN MUSIC... AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: MAKIN' MONEY WITH HOMEGROWN MUSIC

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

Junior college jobs weren't hard to come by a few years back. Now, however (at least around my area), you have to have your promo kit in the mailbox by the end of the school year in order to get booked for either of the following two semesters. Of course, the community colleges in your locale may not be so "sophisticated" yet.

My original promo package consisted of a "photocopied special" poster, including a couple of pictures and the slogan "Homegrown Mountain Music", as well as a short typed description of the kind of music I play. After a while I had a newspaper clipping to add . . . from the local daily's article about my escapades in a nearby sandwich shop. Even with this crude "kit", I was able to demand $50 for a one-hour performance, and many folks with better packages were getting a good deal more.

Weddings and private parties also offer income possibilities to the home-grown musician. All of the above-mentioned job-finding methods will help you get invited to play at such occasions, and you might also try having some business cards printed. These "pocket posters" won't cost you more than $20 and can be hung in all the places where you see other cards (the ones that advertise bulldozing, horseshoeing, and so forth) tacked up, or just handed out to anyone who expresses an interest in hiring you or your group.

SHOULD YOU "ELECTRIFY" YOURSELF?

It's unlikely that you'd need your own sound amplifying equipment for most of the jobs that I've mentioned (assuming, of course, that you have an acoustic solo act or group) ... as this paraphernalia either wouldn't be necessary or would be provided by the sponsoring person or organization. Of course, a sound system will definitely expand your performing possibilities, but—unless you're a good and patient "horse trader" or have the electrical know-how to build the equipment yourself—such accessories can involve a considerable expense.

The realm of sound-reinforcement is a whole different ball game from playing music, and I don't have the space here to really go into it. Suffice it to say that— should this equipment become necessary—it's a good idea to keep some money out of each performance to finance the microphones, amps, and so forth. Another workable plan would be to have each member of your group pay for an equal share of the equipment.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print