Legions and other organizations

Hey,
I've seen a lot of threads with comments on playing at Legions, Elks, etc.

What is the common audience at those places? Do you usually seem to have to stick to the middle of the road covers (i.e. Beat into the ground)?

Just curious!

Thanks,
Jonny

Those kinds of places cater to people with very strong beliefs.
Conservative Political, Religious and, philosophical.

Play the kinds of songs that let them know that you know that THEY are in control and you are just the hired help.

They want to dance to something they know.
They like a wide variety of popular dance music that spans many decades.

Those kinds of places cater to people with very strong beliefs.
Conservative Political, Religious and, philosophical.



Well I don't know about all that but I do know, after decades of playing these rooms, that they are older, they want to dance every song ,they like songs they know, they want to eat (they have a big food thing going on at most of them ) they dress like they like they are 20 years younger, they are very appreciative, they clap, they like talking to the band members and they are regular attendees, they show up every week. If they like the band and can dance to the music you will be back , if they don't like the band you won't be back. These are nice paying gigs, if your band wants to work and you can please these crowds it sure beats playing for the door at empty bars where the very few patrons could give a rats butt that you are even there. But don't take these gigs lightly, they are not difficult but do require the appropriate set list , "bandstand attitude" and appearance. Make no mistake about it, you are playing for them, not you.

t

I have never been to an Elks club anywhere else, but in Missoula it is a total free-for-all. Hardcore heavy metal one day, electronic house DJs the next, rockabilly after that. I know the management here is sort of (in)famous (depending on who you are) for letting anyone and everyone use the space, as long as he profits from it.

One of our most regular gigs is at the "Union Club" in town...same concept as a lodge...and we're a reggae band. But the manager loves us and we get people in the door (albeit not the regular crowd) so we play on. I think management can have a huge effect on the feel of the venue in regards to places like these

I did the Eagles Club new years eve and they loved us, as a duo. I changed the rep a bit so suit there tastes and it worked plus I didn't have to do the worn out songs. Did I say the money was gooooooood! Local VFW's do bands too and I may check it out

I have never been to an Elks club anywhere else, but in Missoula it is a total free-for-all. Hardcore heavy metal one day, electronic house DJs the next, rockabilly after that. I know the management here is sort of (in)famous (depending on who you are) for letting anyone and everyone use the space, as long as he profits from it.

One of our most regular gigs is at the "Union Club" in town...same concept as a lodge...and we're a reggae band. But the manager loves us and we get people in the door (albeit not the regular crowd) so we play on. I think management can have a huge effect on the feel of the venue in regards to places like these

Exactly. A lot of the 'halls' rent their space. It's popular because most of them have bars and even restaurants connected. In the 80's I played a Moose Lodge a lot and the band did original (80's stylie) R&B.

I only play one Elks lodge fairly regularly. And we do play for the Elks - pretty much an over 65 club. Standards. And I mean standards, like you're a grand ole flag, edel weiss, red sails at sunset, I'm an old cowhand - stuff like that.

Thanks for the input guys. I always wondered what those places were like. Probably not for our band, but something to keep in mind.

Jonny

I cut my teeth and learned much about this trade from playing loads of Moose and Elks lodge and American Legion jobs back in the day, although I've not been in any of these establishments in a really long time.

I'm sure the demographic figures in to a degree, but what we did more than anything else was old school country (Merle, Buck, Hank, Patsy, etc.). But there was also lots of middle-of-the-road rock - Bob Seger, Eagles, ZZ Top, Skynyrd, stuff like that.

Seems like there was always somebody's uncle or wife or cousin that "sings" or "plays", and of course they wanted to sit in. I've never been a fan of this (and don't really do it at all at my jobs these days) - but in these situations, it was either allow it or alienate and ostracize folks, so it was a no-brainer.

Yeah, it really depends. There are several right around here and the crowds can be geared around 30 year olds now. You never know if it's 25 or 85 that'll dominate. Mostly country with older rock and roll, you know back when there weren't 165 sub categories of R&R.

Is it different from playing from other groups of Baby Boomers? I ask because 'Boomers do like to dance (60s R&B) but they also dig Classic Rock and such.

T Prior
Just speaking from my own experiences.
They are NOT evil, twisted, cults.
But they are like-minded people.

Yeah, I made some good coin playing Jim Reeves - He'll Have To Go :)

Is it different from playing from other groups of Baby Boomers? I ask because 'Boomers do like to dance (60s R&B) but they also dig Classic Rock and such.

It can be, yes. These people, generally, were the people that got spat ON in the '60s and early '70s. They weren't at a pot smoking sit-in in Berkley with flowers in their hair. A lot though are dying off or not able to have the desire to go out. A lot of who are now veterans grew up listening to Metallica. This goes for VFWs anyway.

I rember playing an Eagles Club back in Muncie, Indiana with a country band back in the 70's, where they approched us and said that our black sax player couldn't be in the club. (We all tore back down and left, and they paid us.)

But the Moose clubs my bands plays today aren't really like that. They do tend to be older and more conservative than a typical bar crowd. The current genration of club members certainly grew up with country music, but also grew up with rock and roll, Motown, AC/DC, Z-Z-Top, Black Sabbath, etc.

My bands' mix of mostly classic rock goes over extremely well (Clapton, Eagles, Little River Band, Doobies, Motown, a little newer stuff and a bit of country) and we now play about a dozen Moose gigs a year at three different clubs around town.

Other benefits of playing these clubs: Get in good at one club, and they'll spread the word to other chapters. They pay a little better. And, you don't have to break your back to "bring your following" to the gig. Get out on breaks and chat with everyone -- they're a close group and want to get to know the band members.

If you go to the era of the 40's and 50's country you will never hear a complaint.

If you go to the era of the 40's and 50's country you will never hear a complaint.

Sweet! The band I'm in we play all that music and more. I never though of handing out our marketing package at these places. Now I'm going to hit them all, which is probably quite a few in the greater Houston area.

So can we start a list -

VFW
Elks
Moose
Knights

What am I missing?

Great suggestions...

I remember most of the Legion, VFW and Elks liking classic rock & roll and especially country. That was during the late 70s until the mid 90s.

11 p.m. at the ELKS Lodge.
Don't make fun of the guy slurring in to the mic.

Sweet! The band I'm in we play all that music and more. I never though of handing out our marketing package at these places. Now I'm going to hit them all, which is probably quite a few in the greater Houston area.

So can we start a list -

VFW
Elks
Moose
Knights

What am I missing?

Great suggestions...


Make sure to hit up the VFW in Porter. I've played there several times, and it would be a perfect fit - they love their old country.

And for a special treat, ask them when the next time Dan is going to do a jam session. Usually on a Sat. or Sun. afternoon. My drummer often sits in on these, and I have been to a few as well. A great bunch of guys - we call them the Energizer Bunnies. Most of them are in their 70's, and to them, Hank Sr is "new country", but they just keep going and going. And you might get a pedal steel, a couple of fiddles (like EJ Hopkins, in his eighties, TX Fiddlers Hall of Fame), and a bunch of acoustic players. It's a real laid back jam, and they're a friendly group to new musicians too - if you go, tell Dan hi from me, he'll know (and ask if Rick is drumming, I've been playing with him for about 15 years).

Cheers,
Doug

Sweet! The band I'm in we play all that music and more. I never though of handing out our marketing package at these places. Now I'm going to hit them all, which is probably quite a few in the greater Houston area.

So can we start a list -

VFW
Elks
Moose
Knights

What am I missing?

Great suggestions...

Water Buffalo

I'd agree with most everything said here. My band got it's start playing Legions. Based on my experience, you've got to play country. They also dig on some classic rock. Blues isn't entirely out, just depends on the crowd.

I play a local VFW every Thursday night from 7:00 to 10:00. I play pedal steel in a four piece band doing classic country. Our fan base are in their 70's and 80's. And they LOVE US!!! I grew up listening to the music and love it. It's a chance to play the old shuffles and stuff like that. It's different than any other gig I do. The people listen and dance. They are the nicest people you'd ever want to me.

I too played these clubs early on..2 a week for about 10 years...70's...

You sure learn a lot of songs and a few different genre's I can tell you that !

Todays Legions and the like are pretty much the same...we play Country, 50's, 60's, Clapton, Stones , rock and roll,...some Waltzes now and then...etc..as long as the songs are well known and not heavy metal , not skull and bones, these are pretty straight forward gigs...