Most money I ever made at rehearsal...

[Eclectifish]

OK, time for a new story...

Many years ago, while playing with a long standing circuit band, we had a gig at a nearby Army Base NCO club. The military pays pretty well to be entertained, by the way.

Well, it just so happens that the base commander decided to give everyone liberty for the weekend, but we were still booked. So we played to a completely empty hall (sure, we've all had bad gigs, but this wasn't one where everyone left, they just didn't show up in the first place and, considering the circumstances, who could blame them). We asked the NCO club director (the only person there) if he would mind if we rehearsed rather than just running through the songs for no-one. He said, "sure, but if anybody shows up you have to do the regular act." Well, no-one showed up and after two hours, the director decided that was enough, cut us a check for $1500 and let us go home.

[ModestCargo]

Hahaha! Sweeet.

[SGshredder]

man, i'd love to get paid for just jamming. awesome!

[PerianArdocyl]

Do you sometimes think you would've had more fun with an audience though? I mean, he would've paid you anyways.

[Eclectifish]

Do you sometimes think you would've had more fun with an audience though? I mean, he would've paid you anyways.

Absolutely. There's nothing like playing a military base. Once we played a 6 hour New Year's eve gig at an Air Force bass. We played from 8 - 12, took a 2 hour break (during which time they served us all an incredible breakfast) then played from 2 to 4. Made several freinds (one who was really cute) and a lot of money. Those folks are wild.

[Etingi]

Absolutely. There's nothing like playing a military base. Once we played a 6 hour New Year's eve gig at an Air Force bass. We played from 8 - 12, took a 2 hour break (during which time they served us all an incredible breakfast) then played from 2 to 4. Made several freinds (one who was really cute) and a lot of money. Those folks are wild.


:D You've been here too long.

[Asperjames]

hahahha nice

[vixousegoldfish]

A bass player jammed with the band i was in at the time of this story, and he left an expensive cable... so i kept it... does that count

[nighthawk]

My hat is off to you... sweet deal

[Eclectifish]

:D You've been here too long.

Ooooooohhhhh, the grammer nazi strikes :D (no offense taken or intended).

[Veritas]

Awesome. Great story.

[rotteneggz]

that's alot of money just for jamming

[broke_my_strat]

Thats awesome electifish, how does one get a gig at a military mase in the first place?

[Eclectifish]

In those days we used a booking agency. If you really want to gig a lot, that's the way to go, IMO.

[deathmedic]

thats, like totaly insane!

[gavb]

Excellent story. :)

[scott powell]

we had a simular incident happen in 1997. we were booked by a college to play,but the person who did the booking somehow forgot that spring break was the first wekend of April. we showed up, set up ,played for four hours to NOBODY, not a soul other than the band wives and g/f's,and the guard who let us in and gave me the check.

[MilkMan12]

Nice...what kind of band were you in?

[broke_my_strat]

In those days we used a booking agency. If you really want to gig a lot, that's the way to go, IMO.

I bet that costs a pretty penny eh?

[scott powell]

I bet that costs a pretty penny eh?

not really, they take a percentage of your earnings off the top,and you agree not to take work without them booking you. I have used them in the past,and am in negotians with local booking agent now. IMO he wants too much(30%) ......but if he can come across withe the gigs he is claiming he can get,it may be worth it