Maybe some musicians never need the public. They stay in the back
bedroom, playing guitar in the dark, going blind as a cavefish from the
lack of sunlight. They write brilliant songs and only ever play them
for their mothers. That's enough for them.
Maybe there are musicians like that - but I've never met one. Everybody I know wants to share their music. We want gigs.
And how do you get a gig? Ask this month's panel! For next Monday's meeting of the Guild, I've invited four of my favorite local agents and promoters out to tell us how the music-booking game is really played. If you play music in the western suburbs and you've never been turned down for a gig by at least one of these folks - well, you're simply not trying hard enough!
Here's who'll be joining us Monday:
- Tommy Hartman's Screaming Beaver Records has done booking, promotion and sound for rock shows and open mics all over the 'burbs. He currently production manager at Doug's Rockhouse.
- Mary Rothe has been an entertainment agent for more than 25 years. Her Chicago company, Artists, Events & Entertainment, has been putting musicians and entertainers in banquet halls, hotels and casinos since 1988. And look out - she's also a lawyer.
- Joey Demarco and United Talent book music for literally dozens of bars and clubs in the Chicago area, including North Beach, the Cubby Bear and Walter Payton's Roundhouse.
- Gina Moga, event's coordinator with the Mayor's Office of Special Events in Aurora, books and promotes all of the city's major events - including the Downtown Alive! series of summer festivals.
Now that's a guest list! Of course, these folks aren't here so you can beg them for a gig - they get enough of that from 9 to 5. But if you listen hard and learn to make their lives a little easier, you may find yourself playing more than ever.
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