By Tina Jackson Rhapsody and Ramblings | March 13, 2011 at 01:41 PM EDT |
1 comment
I'm thrilled when there is a good turn out of folks who want to see and hear me play. When you all are there with me in the concert hall, disappointment is not and will never be an option. Please keep coming.
The Bitter-
For me personally, selling tickets is painstaking and to put it lightly, "working my last nerve." I have studied, worked, and proven myself as a professional and viable entertainer, singer, actress, writer, and card-carrying member of American Guild of Musical Artists (an AFLCIO org) and ASCAP. Many of you have always supported my events, whether free or ticketed.
To get in these doors you will have to buy a ticket that's a given. No matter how you obtain that ticket, I will always be happy to see you on the front row. Recently I joined forces with a dynamic group of fine musicians and monster concert players. Along with this new relationship came an old practice of "Club Payola", something I have managed to avoid for my entire career up until NOW. This is definitely a point for the "Bitter" side of this story.
Brixton, Redondo Beach; The Coach House, SJC; and Galaxy, Santana, books national and local acts. These clubs exploit the locals who are eager to be on stage with great veterans of Rock, many of whose songs we cover and whose playing and styles have inspired us in positive ways. Being on stage and back stages with musicians and artist we admire and respect and posting these multi-media out-of-body experiences to our press kits is INDEED the SWEET portions of this story pie.
Rather than choosing supporting bands based on their talent and how their act will compliment the feature Artist, these bottom-feeding venues don't care about talent or the logistics of being the first venue to feature a local band that goes on to stardom. Their ONLY interest is how many tickets the band itself will personally go out and sell. It's basic that a business must generate revenue and we want venues for live performance to prosper and grow. However, what exactly entitles Coach House, Brixton, and Galaxy to FREE ticket sales agents, FREE marketing reps, FREE advertising, and FREE PR exclusively provided by the bands, which in all actually are FREE PRODUCT.
I don't want you to stop coming to the shows at these venues especially when I'm up there. But you deserve to know the truth. And the truth is: if thousands of you show up for these concerts dumping buckets of money into the box office window, screaming our names and carrying banners, I will be thrilled and honored even though, I'll never see a cent of the proceeds, nor will any member of my band. However, Brixton & Coach House, and Ticket Masters will go in the back room, count the money and then ask me to put in my share before I go on stage. If we (the band) don't give them enough money, they will not let us perform in their venue again. They might not even let us go on that night.
When you plan to attend a concert at Brixton, Galaxy, and Coach House, PLEASE purchase your tickets from the performing artist. If you don't know how to reach the supporting band, contact me. I will find them for you and help you get the best price available. I understand that purchasing tickets in advance takes some of the spontaneity out of your Saturday night. Sometimes you find yourself at the door with cash in your hand. If this happens for my show, please pound on the box office window demanding that I come to the ticket booth and hand you your tickets. Just tell them if they want the sale. They need to produce me FRONT & CENTER with tickets for you in my hand.
For my concerts at Coach House I always have tickets with me, and links to the ticket resources that directly affect me. I intentionally include these links on my sites and in my emails to you.
I welcome your feedback on this controversial subject and I'll see you at the next concert!
