DRUMMER CAFE

I can't really say that doing charity gigs are any different than any other gig ... as far as getting "good street credit". In fact, the times that I've done this type of thing (for free), people start expecting it all the time. You might get real popular, but if you are trying to make a living in music ... you can forget it.

Overall I believe that ALL gigs have the potential of giving you an edge. You get more exposure, never knowing just who will be in the audience. It's about being at the right place at the right time.

Often times people will try to get you to play for the charity, telling you will get this and that; telling you that "so and so" will be there or it will land you more gigs. In over twenty years of playing professionally, I can count on one hand the number of times anything positive has happened to my career ... directly linked to the charity gig. Sure, you can feel good knowing that you are DONATING your time to a worthy cause ... but to expect anything more than that will leave you very frustrated.

I recently played for a benefit for a foundation that raises money to aid abused children in the state of Texas. I got $100 for the gig (which was low in my mind) but it was for a good cause ... AND ... I got to back a hot local R&B artist. Turns out that everyone loved us, and this artist loved working with us and wants to do more! So, it really paid off so to speak.

The important thing in my last scenario is that I went in expecting nothing. All the cool stuff that ended up happening was serendipity.

As long as you don't expect anything more than the obvious, like what you agreed to play for $$$ wise, I wouldn't hold on to any other promises, etc. Any exposure is good exposure. Even politicians agree that bad press is good press because their names are in the public eye.

So if you can AFFORD to play for nothing or very little, and you need to get more exposure (who doesn't), and it's for a good cause, then I'd do it in a heart beat.

yeah ... the whole pro bono thing is great ... but only when YOU decide it is. Even lawyers do this, but it's usually their decision. They are expected to do a certain amount of this type of thing throughout the year, but THEY decide when. I think YOU or your band should be the ones who decide whether it's right or not. What I hate is when someone tries to manipulate the me or the situation ... telling me what I should or shouldn't do; almost to the point of making me out to be a jerk or "non-caring" if I refuse. That's when they start making claims like "oh, you'll get lot's of exposure" or "it will be good for you" or "you'll meet __________" or even worse "we've got a big (paying) event coming up in a few months, so we'll be calling you for that".

I helped out a local bass player who was producing a particular local artist. He talked me into laying some percussion tracks for him and I was to be paid $1.00; that's right one dollar. He said that he had some "other" projects coming up that he would use me on; and yet he's never called me to this date. We know each other and work together on ocassion.

So if someone lures you in with the promise of more work, etc., I would encourage you to get it in writing or even get a contract on it before you do the pro bono thing.

Sometimes ... that's enough ... just knowing you did something positive for your fellow man.

Who knows, you never know who will hear you. But for a new band, I think it would be a real plus. Free exposure, laid back gig, getting your feet wet performing in front of people as a group ... just think of it as a organized rehearsal.