Charity is not Just a Girl’s Name

Already you’re scared by that headline, right?  Musicians become track stars when there’s a mere hint of someone asking them to perform for free.  And rightfully so.  Event organizers will ask me, “Don’t you have any performers who would like to get some exposure?”  And I smile and say, “Of course, but unfortunately exposure doesn’t pay the electric bill or the cable bill or their cell phone bill.”

Yes, we know that ultimately someone ends up doing those gigs.  No, we don’t know if they did it entirely for free.  And yes, we know that makes it tougher for a standard to be set so that hosts will realize that they similarly wouldn’t ask a plumber to come fix their pipes gratis because “it’s good exposure.”  However, it’s important to remember that maybe the performer accepted the booking for a personal reason.

I remember a few months ago talking with singer/songwriter Daniel B. Marshall for the “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast and him admitting that if there’s a cause that feels right to him, that’s a good fit with his personal values and beliefs, he very well would consider doing it without a cash reward because of the other benefits there are.

Remember, you truly never do know who might be in the crowd on a given night.  Not to mention that it’s an opportunity for pictures and video, it’s always good practice, it shows that you’re keeping busy, you can work out some new material if you’re a songwriter, plus they might even let you put out CDs and/or other merchandise for sale, or at least a promotional flyer and newsletter sign-up sheet.

But then there’s also the value of just flat out doing what’s right.  My grandfather died from cancer, as did my godfather.  The latter’s wife has beaten it.  If I was a performing musician instead of an artist manager, I might listen more openly if I got a call for live music for an event that benefited a cancer hospital.

Just last week we released Episode 64 and multi-instrumentalist/producer Clark Nowlin talked about how the efforts that he initiated resulted in more than one thousand people being fed!  All because he decided to let the proceeds of his EP sales go to a charity that provides that service.

Heck, way back on Episode 2 singer/songwriter Alyssa Jacey was talking about what the ‘Blue Crew’ is, as it relates to efforts she makes with donations to benefit Alzheimer’s.

We can admit that there is some PR value to someone visiting your website and seeing that you’re supporting a certain charity.  But, do it for the right reasons, and let that be an afterthought.

Yes, it’s nice that you drop loose change in the Salvation Army bucket outside the store around Christmas time.  But when it's not December what are you doing proactively to give back out of thanksgiving for the talent that you’ve been blessed with?