How to Book Road GiGs...What you don't know...

Post by **Robbie** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:18 pm

Wassup, I left a post last week about one-nighters in L.A., and I left the forum open to all callers. One respondent was "That Old Hippie Chick". She had left two web addresses, Chucklemonkey and Comics on Duty. Although these websites are available to everyone to look up. The info on getting the gigs and who to speak to is very vague. You can do that by word of mouth; in other words welcome to www.Bullshit.com. As a working comic, 1.) you need to know who the club booker is or is there an outside booking company. 2.) If your in town can you stop by for a guest spot to let the booker see you live( this is better than sending a tape) or do you have to send 15-30mins of material. 3.) Does it have to be squeeky clean or edgy & blue. 4.) What are the pay scales for their MC, Opener, Feature & Headliner. 5.) Clubs will not fly in a opener or featured act so will you pay atleast cover 1/2 your air travel. 6.) Will the club provide a clean & safe Hotel, & inform them you do not share rooms with other comics (YOU REQUEST YOUR OWN ROOM) 7.) Mailing address & contact person to send you package to ..ie (headshot, bio, presskit & tape).

Once again these websites have some info but are bullshit all the same; For military gigs, you have to have orders, so you can leave the base to sight see. Is there a curfew for that base & what is the threat condition before your booked. Who is booking the gig and what other comedy and entertainment tours have they booked. Comics on duty has pictures of comics performing and who the comics are and links to there website...THAT"S ALL and how to contact david..Woooooo! That's for his tour there are the USO, AFVE tour, and 6 other bookers that book Korea, Japan, England, Europe and Iceland, each and every booker's different and will not book you if you've been to certain bases.

This is not political, it is that most troops have been shuffled around and you don't want to get caught with the same crowd you just played to in the last country. Most every working comic will tell you that a good recemendation or one comic vouching for another is the best way to get work, or Opening for a friend that headlines their club. In the south & midwest you have C.W. Kendall that books 90 clubs, MC-headliner, You also have Heffron Talent that books 120.

You may get the run around if you don't have at least someone pulling for you and dropping your name. So if anyone has questions or gig info hit me up, but it's insulting for someone to be a working comic to give other comics or aspiring talent to look up bullshit sites with more run around. Did you also know that you can showcase instead of the open mic crap, most clubs want open mic comics to bring friends if they perform, so there bar is higher.

Showcase be a pro, never get used by the club to help them promote there club, that's there job. Good Luck and happy giging.

Post by **JTF** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:30 pm

Robbie,

Pleas don't take this the wrong way, but one of my favorite personal sayings is "Just wipe your own ass, don't worry about anybody else's shit."

You're coming off as a bit bitter. I haven't seen your act, so I can't testify as to how good it is. All I can give you is advice. The more you publicly put down someone else, the more it seems like that's the only way you believe you can lift yourself up.

I don't recall TMIC spending his energy putting others down. He just let his talent shine thru. My suggestion would be that this is the right way to go about things...

But then what do I know?

Post by **Robbie** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 8:47 am

astonamous & JTF,

Thank you for your input. If I sound bitter, Cool. I'm not downing anyone, I'm glad to see the info, I looked at the sites, I feel there is not enough info, and thats the truth, if the truth sounds bitter oh well, the truth isn't pretty it's just truth. How you get gig is your biz, I can only give advice on what has worked for everyone. No one can do it alone. So in that respect, thank you both for your input; It's good to have heated discussions. Blessings be with thee.

Post by **Jennifer** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 4:53 pm

Robbie,
...and Paul Mooney on board now for the fundraiser...we gonna have big fun!!!

Post by **Robbie** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 4:57 pm

Jennifer,
I just worked with his sons the Twins over the weekend. Glad to hear Mr. Mooney is on board. Richard Pryor, Paul Mooney, and David Banks....seems like old times.