Don’t Bite the Hand That Feeds You

The Ybor Daily Market Summer Concert Series is well underway, with three of the 13 dates now in the archives.  The remaining ten will be spread out over this coming Saturday and then the five Saturdays in August and the four Saturdays in September.

It makes me pause and think back to everything that went in to booking all of those performers for three months’ worth of shows.

And then I stop to think of a band that I didn’t book for the Series.

It’s a band that I’ve booked before.  And yes, I likely will book again.  However, their record will have a bit of a footnote on it.

When the press release was sent out about the Summer Concert Series, a text message came in from the band leader who had received it.  Not to say, “Got the press release.  Wow.  Very cool.”  Nor was it to offer personal congratulations on Now Hear This landing the opportunity.  Neither of those, by the way, are unreasonable expectations and are common courtesies that make for good PR if you’re a band that wants to maintain good relations.

Instead – and although I acknowledge that it’s always subjective when you try to interpret someone’s tone of voice over text… or email… or, for that matter, in a blog, lol – the message was sent for the sole purpose of inquiring why their band wasn’t booked for the Series.  A prompt and accurate response was sent, with the explanation making it clear that the band was certainly considered but stating why they couldn’t be accommodated.

The natural expectation is a quick, “Ah, okay,” response.  However, the next day the band leader was saying (via text) that he was still disappointed.  Understand that this is about the time that most agencies would drop you from their list for future consideration.  Yes, it can turn that quickly.

I have blogged, talked, and broadcast (in the “Bruce’s Bonus” segment of our weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast) about how you are always representing yourself and your brand whether you’re on-stage, sending texts, or walking in on your day off to a venue that you perform at regularly.  What you write, how you dress, your timeliness, what you say… there is a list of deal breakers for club owners or music bookers.

Mixed into all of the above is that you don’t know what’s going on in someone’s personal life.  Not emailing them back (at all) or always having your hand out or sending text messages that carry negative connotations can be the straw that breaks their camel’s back and become the difference between you getting the booking or them turning to someone else.  A good rule of thumb is to sleep on something that you think could potentially be volatile.  Walk away for 24 hours and let cooler heads prevail.