gig in portland, or- need publicity help!

rosett · April 8th, 2005, 03:06 PM

my band has played a couple of times in portland, but always with a local band, and we're not very well known. we just got a gig at duff's garage on thursday, may 26th all by ourselves, and i could use any advice from folks in portland on how to get people out for the show.
the band is original honkytonk, western swing, alt/country, etc. 5-piece with acoustic guitar, upright bass, drums, fiddle, and me on electric guitar, steel, and mandolin. our website is www.cashforjunkers.com
any help or advice is greatly appreciated.
thanks, john

JimmyZ · April 8th, 2005, 03:23 PM

Set down with all your band members and create a list of everyone you know who might be persuaded to go of for the evening. Have post cards printed up inviting them to hear your band on that date at that place. Tell them it is important to you that they come and support your efforts. Use a nice large print and keep the text to a minimum but sign the name of the band and all of your names. You should sign in your hand writing to each one of your friends. Send them out so that they get them on the monday before the gig.
People throw junk mail out quickly but with a post card they will always read it before trashing it. They won't open a letter and read it but you have a chance here. Next, get together on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and call them on the phone and invite them. Call them again the day of the gig and tell them you would really appreciate seeing them and you can promise a good time. Unless this place is huge you should have a good "fan base" there who will show some support. Club managers are impressed if the band has a "following" and your friends will enjoy getting out to see you.
Before the gig, place "tent cards" on each of the tables with info about the band including your schedule, members names, maybe even songs that you do and include how to get ahold of you.

Hope that helps some.

gdh · April 8th, 2005, 05:19 PM

I don't suppose y'all will be making it up to Seattle this trip? I heard great things about the last time you came through. If you don't have anything scheduled in Seattle, shoot me a private message and I might be able to put you in touch with some venues.

rosett · April 8th, 2005, 06:43 PM

now that you mention it, we are playing at the little red hen on thursday, april 28th, and the eagles hall in olympia on friday the 29th. we're looking for something on saturday, the 30th in the area, if anyone has any ideas.
we're also looking for more gigs around memorial day. we have that thursday in portland, and a saturday, may 28th at the folklife festival.
it's hard for a band from montana to get gigs in seattle. we keep trying to get in to the tractor, but no dice. when i think about all the years i played that club in the 80's and 90's with the swingin' swamis (it was the new melody tavern then), i have to laugh at their attitude. portland is alot friendlier as far as booking clubs goes for some reason.
anyways, any help is appreciated, and if anybody wants to play in missoula, i'll be glad to help.
thanks, john

TeleTubby · April 9th, 2005, 03:07 AM

You might try some of these places in Bellingham, WA, as it's a college town and has a pretty decent little scene going on now...

http://www.wildbuffalo.net/

http://www.nightlightlounge.com/main.php

http://www.fairhavenpub.com/

...and definitely let me know if you come, as I'll help get the word around- posters, newspaper notices, etc. Hope to see you soon!

April 8th, 2005, 03:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
rosett Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: montana Posts: 221	gig in portland, or- need publicity help! my band has played a couple of times in portland, but always with a local band, and we're not very well known. we just got a gig at duff's garage on thursday, may 26th all by ourselves, and i could use any advice from folks in portland on how to get people out for the show. the band is original honkytonk, western swing, alt/country, etc. 5-piece with acoustic guitar, upright bass, drums, fiddle, and me on electric guitar, steel, and mandolin. our website is www.cashforjunkers.com any help or advice is greatly appreciated. thanks, john

April 8th, 2005, 03:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
JimmyZ Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Anderson, Indiana Age: 58 Posts: 149	If you want to make a good impression Set down with all your band members and create a list of everyone you know who might be persuaded to go of for the evening. Have post cards printed up inviting them to hear your band on that date at that place. Tell them it is important to you that they come and support your efforts. Use a nice large print and keep the text to a minimum but sign the name of the band and all of your names. You should sign in your hand writing to each one of your friends. Send them out so that they get them on the monday before the gig. People throw junk mail out quickly but with a post card they will always read it before trashing it. They won't open a letter and read it but you have a chance here. Next, get together on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and call them on the phone and invite them. Call them again the day of the gig and tell them you would really appreciate seeing them and you can promise a good time. Unless this place is huge you should have a good "fan base" there who will show some support. Club managers are impressed if the band has a "following" and your friends will enjoy getting out to see you. Before the gig, place "tent cards" on each of the tables with info about the band including your schedule, members names, maybe even songs that you do and include how to get ahold of you. Hope that helps some. __________________ If the phone don't ring it's me!

April 9th, 2005, 03:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
TeleTubby Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lynden, WA Posts: 451	You might try some of these places in Bellingham, WA, as it's a college town and has a pretty decent little scene going on now... http://www.wildbuffalo.net/ http://www.nightlightlounge.com/main.php http://www.fairhavenpub.com/ ...and definitely let me know if you come, as I'll help get the word around- posters, newspaper notices, etc. Hope to see you soon! __________________ "Bless my cotton socks, I'm in the news..." Saint Julian, circa 1980.

April 8th, 2005, 05:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
gdh TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 29	I don't suppose y'all will be making it up to Seattle this trip? I heard great things about the last time you came through. If you don't have anything scheduled in Seattle, shoot me a private message and I might be able to put you in touch with some venues.

April 8th, 2005, 06:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
rosett Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: montana Posts: 221	now that you mention it, we are playing at the little red hen on thursday, april 28th, and the eagles hall in olympia on friday the 29th. we're looking for something on saturday, the 30th in the area, if anyone has any ideas. we're also looking for more gigs around memorial day. we have that thursday in portland, and a saturday, may 28th at the folklife festival. it's hard for a band from montana to get gigs in seattle. we keep trying to get in to the tractor, but no dice. when i think about all the years i played that club in the 80's and 90's with the swingin' swamis (it was the new melody tavern then), i have to laugh at their attitude. portland is alot friendlier as far as booking clubs goes for some reason. anyways, any help is appreciated, and if anybody wants to play in missoula, i'll be glad to help. thanks, john