Hi Everyone,

Basically I'd love some advice from you guys who drum for a living.

Well here's a short speel about myself. I've been playing drums since I was 14, I'm now 22. My parents always said, "get some skills to fall back on", well as far as I'm concerned that was good advice, I now have a degree in Computer Science. I can read music well enough although not sight read(I'm working on it ) and I think that I'm ready to start looking for some work.

Now I've started talking to an agency and they've said that I can come along and audition for some cruise ship work. I get the impression that it'll be four-five piece bands.

Now as this is the first time I've ever done this kind of thing I'd love to draw from your experiences.

a) What do I need to take with me to be safe?
CV? CD of me playing? Video? I basically have no idea so any and all advice is gratefully received.

b) What should I be expecting at the audition?
They say that I dont need to be able to read at all(music that is), so thats not a major worry.

c) What skills do you guys think would be most beneficial to me at this point of my career?

d) What is cruise ship work like?

Basically I've looked around for non drumming related jobs, gone on a few interviews and as soon as I've come out of the interview I knew that I didn't want to do it, drumming has always made me happy so I'm going in that direction. This IS going to be my career, I'd love some advice from those of you older and wiser than myself.

Thanks in advance guys.

Great reply Mister Acrolite, there's some really helpful advice in there.  

The only thing that I dont like the sound of is sharing a cabin with someone, but as long as they're a nice enough and considerate person thats fine.

I'll have to give this agency a ring and ask them these questions like you said.

Thanks for the advice.

I think Mr. A.  has it nailed as far as the skinny on cruise ships. It's very cool for when you are young. I did have one friend who had to make a conscious decision to leave - just to move on with his career. He was having a blast but wasn't going to achieve what he wanted to after being on a boat for a long time. Other than following the rules, there's very little responsibility compared to what you'd have on land (Car insurance, gas, rent, etc.). So kinda Jimmy Buffet city in some ways. But there is also the downside of the Jimmy Buffet thing where you see guys who have sadly fallen into alcoholism after being out for years.

A great stop off on a career - but just a means to an end.

Back in the '80's, I did one 4 day stint subbing for a friend on an Azure Seas boat out of Long Beach, CA. It was a musical nightmare (totally different story) but fun being out on a boat.

Be aware that a cruise ship gig can be fun musically - or a real drag. I'd find out what kind of music you're playing before you go out unless it's just for the bread.

Also one other thing that might come up: Passport
I used to hear that if a boat was caught (Coast Guard, INS?) having employees without valid passports, they'd be fined $5-10,000 bucks. If the boats's leaving soon, you want to get hopping on that as you don't just walk in and get one on the spot.

Otherwise good luck on the audition!

HTH

Jim

What a great story.

Was Julie the cruise director and Isaac the bartender aboard the "love boat".

That must have been a blast.