Doing Money Right

When dealing with money, it’s always a chance to do people right.

At a bare minimum be honest.

More than that…

Pay people on time. Pay them what you agreed to. If there’s confusion and it’s to the benefit of the other person, let them win and make sure you’re more clear next time.

If you’re working with the same person or company over a longer period of time, increase the amount you pay them every so often so they know things are looking up…not down.

It’s not that you have to do money perfect, but you need to be up front, willing to initiate, and take responsibility when there’s confusion.

Everyone you work with will make a mental note of how well (or not well) you do money.


***And now for a true story where only the bare minimum (honesty) was utilized…

It was the first ever tour The Kicks(my former band) went on. We were nobodies so it was an incredible amount of work just to get clubs to let us lug our gear onto the stage and make a little noise.

But alas, we were on tour.

We didn’t have any money, barely any fans, most of the deals were bad door deals…but our Birmingham show had a $50 guarantee plus part of the door.

It was our band and a random local Birmingham band (of which the lead singer is a very close friend still today).

It was a bad club. Sound guy didn’t show up. The sound system barely worked. Very few people were in attendance.

(Something I wouldn’t wish on any artist, and yet I hope every artist has a chance to experience this a handful of times.)

But we played the gig like it was a giant packed house. After all, we had a $50 guarantee coming our way and we wanted to earn it.

Shows over. We’ve packed up in the cold, lonely, rainy Birmingham winter.

But we need to settle up before we leave…So me and the singer from the other band go back inside to talk money with the venue manager.

We said, “Stan, hey man we just need to settle up money-wise for tonight”

And with all the genuine honesty and care he had in his heart, this is exactly what he said…

“Guys, some crazy shit went down last and I can’t pay you. But I have a cooler full of deer meat out back and you’re welcome to it.”

I am not kidding.

We took the deer meat and I’ve always remembered Stan.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

If Your Super Fans...

If your super fans could watch the show but with no audio, would they be able to tell which songs you’re playing?

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

I Hope You Like It??

Uttered the moment before your next song…

“I hope you like it”

Of course you do! Why would you or anyone ever hope anything else?

Your audience is smart…they know that you hope they like the song you’re about to play.

It’s a waste of a line.

Remove it from your repertoire.

Whatever comes to mind to replace it (even if it’s to say nothing at all) will be better than speaking like an amateur.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Faking It On The Record

Artists trumpet the recorded material as opposed to the live show because you can manipulate, fix, perfect, pitch correct the record. You can keep working on the record till you get it right.

On the record…you can fake it. And a lot of artists do. (And I’m not only talking about auto tune and timing…I’m talking about faking charisma, confidence, sass, emotion, connection, care, conviction)

But you can’t fake it live. On stage you have to do it all in real time. It’s not about getting it right but getting a reaction.

Can you get a reaction?

We know the we’re gonna hear all about how great the record is but…

Are you willing to trumpet your own live show as something that you gotta see? Is it THAT good?

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

While Waiting In Line At Kroger

I included this in last nights Sunday Night Email (a weekly email I do mainly for writers and publishers, let me know if you want to get it)…and it was just too good not to pass along here as well…

The 40-something guy in front of me in the self check out at Kroger was antsy…and walked very briskly, nearly running, up to the next available station…only to buy his single package of off brand Oreos, paying with loose change.

That’s it.

We’ll never know any more than that.

So there you go. My gift to you. Write that song, or movie, or Netflix series. Take me out to coffee when it’s done.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Father McKenzie

I’m a big Beatles fan.

So I’ll say while this most recent Paul McCartney video interview doesn’t reveal many new nuggets of Beatles lore, it’s still great.

Here’s something from the interview worth remembering…

In the song Eleanor Rigby there’s another character named Father McKenzie. Most Beatles fans know that originally it was Father McCartney. But Paul didn’t want want to use McCartney.

So they got the phone book out, found McCartney and then kept scrolling the Mc section until they found the next one that worked with the syllables.

Let me repeat: They scrolled through a phone book.

Breathe easy.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com