Getting back in the groove, need advice.

[Eric Turner]

It's been a while but I have decided to resume duties with The Unsatisfied. It has been a while since I have been out on the road, never an official tour, just one-offs. I am excited but need a little advice. With the economy the way it is, I expect to have run ins with the non-payment type of douchebag venue operators/promoters... I was used to collecting after a show but am wondering if it needs to be stipulated in contracts or verbals before-hand that payment is expected up front. Hopefully this is going to turn into a European jaunt by next year. I have never been overseas and wonder about the practices concerning this issue over there. Thanks in advance for the brilliant advice. -E.T.

[Phillip "Wire Dawg" Cobb]

Yo ET,
Yes, it is ashame that you still have to put up with "douchebag venue operators/promoters" You need a iron clad contract with rider that should be adhered to point by point. You will need to do your Advance Work with the Manager of the Venue (usually a phone call will do) so that you both have read and gone through it point by point with them.AT THAT TIME, they understand that first and formost that 100% of the remaining money due (Minus Booking Deposit) be paid at the time of arrival at the venue....... Aslo during the Advancing the gig, You need to go over your rider so you can negoeciate the sticking points that the venue may or may not want to adhere to..... This rider should be the things that the band members and Krewe and your self would like......... such as, Dietary constraints, Beverages, Snacks, Spring Water, Towels, Showers,
Ect, Ect..........
May I suggest that you refrain from wild and outrageous demands such as No Red M&Ms, Louis IIV, Crystall, and such time till your performers are on top of the heap leave that behind.
ET, as a Tour Manager I think have seen almost every trick in the book, but there is always some new asshole that is tring to separate your money from you as if it is thiers. Cover your ass always, and you will have a chance of not getting your pants yanked down around your ankles and your fanny whipped.
In todays Litigious enviroment, you need one of the worst things on earth, the scum of the earth, he/she is almost as low as insurance company owner, and that is a very good lawyer, that is versed in music law and understands touring and all of the ups and down that comes with the road. Though most lawyers are full of shit, they also can be worth thier weight in gold when needed. Do Not be afraid of using them when you need them...... If you let ONE Douche Bag get away with out payment, it goes through the industry like wild fire that you, your organization, are push overs and they will be others that will scew you over.............
Do your home work, Advance the show, lay out your cards on the table up front, and most of your troubles with the venue will be behind you.
If all fails and the venue doesn't want to pay you and it is time to go on, do as I have done,
In a very Hot Mic, announce to your fans, that you can not come on because the venue is with holding payment for tonights performance.............The crowd, will take care of your problem for you, EXTREME but AFFECTIVE

I can remember the last time I did not get paid up-front and the scumbag left the venue and we couldn't get paid till I found him. Finally after a little snooping I found out that he liked to go down to another bar and hang till the performers would give up and leave without thier money so the could make tomorrows gig. It was in New Orleans working with CBS Tour Support and was out with this crazy cowboy David Allan Coe......The Venue was Jeds,
So I got my Ethica 10 shot Deer Slayer Riot Shotgun, Grab my 110 lb Doberman named Fang, and marched down to a little bar "The Maple Leaf" and found the Venues owner Jed Palmer hiding in one of the rear booths with a knap sack of money, our money, When he saw me with that gun and My dog FANG, he litterly pissed on him self.
To say the least he paid right then and there. A few years later I moved to "Nawlins" and found my self face to face with Jed again, We had a great laugh about the incident but Jed had been telling the story with great detail all over town and when I would come in to a bar and they learn who I was, there use was a round of applause and free drinks.
ET, If you ever need to talk or kick an I dea around or advice, I will be glad to talk to you any time
Good Luck
Keep the Rubber Side Down and Rolling
Phillip "Wire Dawg" Cobb
[phone]

[Eric Turner]

Thanks for the truckload of advice. I will gladly take you up on the offer if I need to discuss anything. I have worked both sides of this, tour manager and stage crew, runner etc... I did happen to work for a pretty straight up venue owner though. I have actually had experience with a D.A.Coe show. It was bloody and pretty scary... You may have even been to the club I worked @ in Chattanooga... The Bay, to some a real shit-hole but altogether GREAT venue that is no longer. I do know entertainment lawyers work but like and hope to always leave them out of anything beyond paperwork. The demands thing made me chuckle... We just want water and food and towels and to be paid. I would love to get a gig with a larger company or band one day but I am starting over on the dues paying I guess. I have never left un-paid in some way or another but prefer to avoid the "another". Take 'er easy. -E.T.