[strumminsix]

Well said.


I can say here in IL I wanted bars severely hurt when the smoking bans kicked in. Many bars had regulars who'd have a few drinks and a few smokes many nights a week and unwind. Now they do that at home.

[willmusic]

willmusic - you're from Central VA? where exactly? I'm just a bit southwest of you in Blacksburg. What's your band's name?

My theory has always been a fist show at any new venue, town, etc is a risk for both players and venue owners. Both have to accept some of the risk i.e. some sort of guarantee from the owners so that you don't wind up paying to play (or paying that much) and that the players are willing to accept not making a ton of money the first time out. Copping an attitude about money doesn't help unless the venue really, really wants you. Thankfully, I am not the one in my band put in charge of business decisions or else we would wind up paying people to play at their clubs

Some venues have a built in audience that comes out no matter who is playing, some don't and your name recognition is everything - changing your band name to "Free beer and naked women" might help

it's a crapshoot - I never have any idea before playing a gig even in my hometown whether we'll have 40 people and make 30 bucks each or 400 and make 300 bucks each. When we go out of town I am amazed that anyone has heard of us but being in a college town and being here for so long it has helped.

Where you get some bargaining power is after one or two really successful shows at a place you can start asking for more because it is in the venue's best interest to have you there and to pay more to make it happen. It takes time and dues paying but if you start from a place of enjoying doing for free in front of nobody everything on top of that is a blessing.

The fam (wife, 2 yo son, and I) live in Richmond's Museum District. My wife and I are in the acoustic Dead band Wake of the Flood and we also perform as a duo, doing stuff in the vein of Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Band, a lot of old and new traditionals. As far as the gig, we're gonna speak with them tomorrow and get the ball rolling. Thanks to you and everyone else for the tips. It helps to get different angles, and I needed that bc I didn't even know how to approach it at first. I'm pretty confident that we'll come to something reasonable. Thanks again guys! I've said it before, I love this board! I'll keep you posted on what we come to and when the show is (though it's so far away from anything that I'm more than positive that no one from this board let alone anyone I know will be there!). But hey surprises can happen..