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Daryl Stevenett

Getting Gigs as a Solo Artist 

Information for the starting out young solo musician:

It takes a certain mindset to play music every day for a living.  I'm in my fifties now and I have a wonderful life playing music full-time.  I won't get into all the accomplishments and career paths of my past so let's dive right into how I get gigs!  First of all, you need a minimum of thirty to fifty songs.  Learn the songs that you love and that you play well.  You will have folks request various songs at your gigs.  If you don't know the requested song, simply tell them you don't know it but you will learn it!  Write it down and challenge yourself to go to A-Z Lyrics when you get home then find the song on Youtube and start learning it.  Learning lots of songs is what you do, it is your job now to learn every song you can.  I have heard some guys playing the same songs they were playing twenty years ago and they have never learned anything new... that gets old, trust me.  There is a saying, "When you are ripe you rot when you are green you grow." Basically, you will keep your career much more exciting when you are always learning new tunes!  Always push yourself to get better!  Currently, I have over a thousand songs on my iPod.  I use the fourscore app to organize everything and it's easy and fast to pull up requests.

Getting gigs is simply a numbers game.  You have to talk to at least thirty venues to secure five to six gigs a week.  I can drive to any town in America and get gigs if they have some tourist action and have places that play live music.  It takes about two or three weeks to fill your calendar for the year providing you are out talking to venues every day.  I drive around and find places that currently have music.  I park and walk in and find out who is in charge of booking the live music.  This is a little scary but gets easier the more you do it.  Having confidence is key and the first few times you might be a bit shaky.  Do not be discouraged.  Keep dropping in on places and make sure you ask for the person who books the music.  It does no good if you sell yourself to a waitress who started working there last week.  Find the decision maker.  Always have something to leave them such as a card.  Vista print can make cards super cheap.  At a minimum, you should be prepared to leave a card.  I have left a CD but that gets expensive and very few managers will even listen to your CD but the mere fact that you have a professional looking CD is impressive.  

I have memorized one easy question.  #1. Do you have live music here? If so, explain that you are looking for gigs and would love to play at their establishment.  Volunteer to even come play for free for a couple of hours to see if you are a fit for their establishment.  Never be afraid to play for free for an audition.  I have played for several and 99% of the time they will have a check or cash for you at the end of the gig.  If they have never had live music, ask if they would consider letting you come play to see if it would fit their establishment.  Yes, you have to become a salesperson.  The solo act who doesn't learn how to sell themselves spends all their time playing at home in their room.  Get tough and learn how to speak up and sell yourself.  It's weird and scary at first but you will get better as time goes by.  Be honest with the manager.  Tell them you are a little nervous in talking to them... they will be kind to you and be on your side.  Now ask for the gig.  Ask what days they have open.  Bring a calendar with you.  Expect to get the gig.  You may be surprised and walk out with every Tuesday night for the next six months!  That is your goal.  To fill up every night of the week.  AGAIN: It takes talking to about thirty venues before you get the five or six that will say yes!  About two or three weeks of going to two or three venues a day.  It's not hard.  If the manager is not there, always leave a card.

IMPORTANT:  Have a website.  I use Bandzoogle as it is geared towards musicians and it is simple to use.  Have some videos of what you do.  Some managers will watch them, most won't because they are busy people.  Keep at it and never get discouraged as they need your talent in their establishment.  Remember, the more you play in front of people, the better you will get.  I have played at farmers markets, even on the street using my Roland battery AC33 amp. (which allows for mic and guitar inputs)  I have played everywhere and to anyone that would listen.  I have a few videos on my site of different places I have played if you care to watch!  Good luck and feel free to drop me some questions!

09/21/2017

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in How to Get Solo Gigs

March, 2023   Englewood - Venice - Siesta Key - Sarasota
Wednesday, Mar 1st - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Mar 2nd - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Sunday, Mar 5th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, Mar 7th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Mar 8th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Mar 9th - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Saturday, Mar 11th - Big Tiki Lounge - 2-6:00 PM Siesta Key
Sunday, Mar 12th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, Mar 14th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Mar 15th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Mar 16th - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Friday, Mar 17th - University Park Country Club - 5-8PM - Sarasota
Saturday, Mar 18th - Big Tiki Lounge - 2-6:00 PM Siesta Key
Sunday, Mar 19th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, Mar 21st - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Mar 22nd - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Mar 23rd - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Saturday, Mar 25th - Big Tiki Lounge - 2-6:00 PM Siesta Key
Sunday, Mar 26th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, Mar 28th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Mar 29th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Mar 30th - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key

April, 2023   Englewood - Venice - Siesta Key - Sarasota
Saturday, April 1st - Big Tiki Lounge - 2-6:00 PM Siesta Key
Sunday, April 2nd - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, April 4th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, April 5th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, April 6th - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Saturday, April 8th - Big Tiki Lounge - 2-6:00 PM Siesta Key
Sunday, April 9th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, April 11th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, April 12th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, April 13th - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Friday, April 14th - Towles Court Private Party - 4:30-8 PM - Sarasota
Saturday, April 15th - Big Tiki Lounge - 2-6:00 PM Siesta Key
Sunday, April 16th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, April 18th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, April 19th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, April 20th - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Saturday, April 22nd - Big Tiki Lounge - 2-6:00 PM Siesta Key
Sunday, April 23rd - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, April 25th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, April 26th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, April 27th - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Saturday, April 29th - Big Tiki Lounge - 2-6:00 PM Siesta Key
Sunday, April 30th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice

February, 2023   Englewood - Venice - Siesta Key - Sarasota
Wednesday, Feb 1st - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Feb 2nd - The Hub - 2-5 PM - Siesta Key
Sunday, Feb 5th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Monday, Feb 6th - Hilton Embassy Suites - 6-8 PM - Sarasota
Tuesday, Feb 7th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Feb 8th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Feb 9th - The Hub - 2-5 PM - Siesta Key
Sunday, Feb 12th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, Feb 14th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Feb 15th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Feb 16th - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Friday, Feb 17th - University Park Country Club - 5-8PM - Sarasota
Saturday, Feb 18th - Big Tiki Lounge - 1-5:00 PM Siesta Key
Sunday, Feb 19th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, Feb 21st - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Feb 22nd - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Feb 23rd - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Friday, Feb 24th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Sunday, Feb 26th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, Feb 28th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key

January, 2023   Englewood - Venice - Siesta Key - Sarasota
Sunday, Jan 1st - The Hub - 3:30-6:30 PM - Siesta Key
Tuesday, Jan 3rd - The Spearfish Grille - 6:30-9:30 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Jan 4th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Jan 5th - The Hub - 2-5 PM - Siesta Key
Sunday, Jan 8th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Monday, Jan 9th -The Cottage 6-9 PM Siesta Key
Tuesday, Jan 10th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:30-9:30 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Jan 11th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Jan 12th - The Hub - 2-5 PM - Siesta Key
Sunday, Jan 15th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, Jan 17th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:30-9:30 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Jan 18th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Jan 19th - The Hub - 2-5 PM - Siesta Key
Friday, Jan 20th - University Park Country Club - Private - Sarasota
Saturday, Jan 21st - Private Party - 6:00-9:00 PM Englewood
Sunday, Jan 22nd - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Tuesday, Jan 24th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:30-9:30 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Jan 25th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Jan 26th - The Hub - 2-5 PM - Siesta Key
Sunday, Jan 29th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Monday, Jan 30th -The Cottage 6-9 PM Siesta Key
Tuesday, Jan 31st - The Spearfish Grille - 6:30-9:30 PM - Siesta Key

December, 2022   Englewood - Venice - Siesta Key - Sarasota
Sunday, Dec 4th
 - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Wednesday, Dec 7th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Dec 8th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Saturday, Dec 10th -The Cottage 6-9 PM Siesta Key
Sunday, Dec 11th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Wednesday, Dec 14th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Wednesday, Dec 14th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:30-9:30 PM - Siesta Key
Thursday, Dec 15th - The Hub - 2-5 PM - Siesta Key
Friday, Dec 16th - Towles Court Private Party - 4-8 PM - Sarasota
Sunday, Dec 18th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Sunday, Dec 18th - The Hub - 3:30-6:30 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Dec 21st - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Dec 22nd - The Hub - 2-5 PM - Siesta Key
Friday, Dec 23rd - The Hub - 12-3 PM - Siesta Key
Monday, Dec 26th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Dec 27th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, Dec 28th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Wednesday, Dec 28th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:00-9:00 PM - Siesta Key
Thursday, Dec 29th - Private Party - 6:30-9:30 PM - Rotunda
Friday, Dec 30th - University Park Country Club - Private - Sarasota
Saturday, Dec 31st - The Spearfish Grille - 5:30-8:30 PM - Siesta Key

November, 2022   Englewood - Venice - Siesta Key - Sarasota
Wednesday, Nov 2nd
 - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Friday, Nov 4th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Saturday, Nov 5th - Esplanade Golf & Country Club 6-9 PM PRIVATE
Sunday, Nov 6th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Wednesday, Nov 9th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Saturday, Nov 12th - Venice Golf & Country Club - 6-9 PM PRIVATE
Sunday, Nov 13th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Wednesday, Nov 16th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Friday, Nov 18th - University Park Country Club - Private Party - Sarasota, Fl
Sunday, Nov 20th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Wednesday, Nov 23rd - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Wednesday, Nov 23rd - The Spearfish Grille - 6:30-9:30 PM - Siesta Key
Sunday, Nov 27th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Wednesday, Nov 30th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key

October, 2022 Venice - Englewood, Florida
(CANCELED - due to Hurricane Ian)

CANCELED-Sunday, Oct 2nd - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
CANCELED-Wednesday, Oct 5th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday, Oct 6th - The Boat Yard- 5-8:30 PM - Sarasota
CANCELED-Friday, Oct 7th - The Waverly - 6-9 PM - Up Stairs - Manasota Key
CANCELED-Saturday, Oct 8th - The Paraiso 5-9 - Placida
Sunday, October 9th
- Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
CANCELED-Wednesday, October 12th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
CANCELLED-Friday, October 14th - The Waverly - 6-9 PM - Up Stairs - Manasota Key
Friday, October 14th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:30-9:30 PM - Siesta Key
Sunday, October 16th - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Sunday, October 16th - The Spearfish Grille - 6:30-9:30 PM - Siesta Key
Wednesday, October 19th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
Thursday. October 20th - The Boat Yard- 5-8:30 PM - Sarasota
CANCELLED-Friday, October 21st - The Waverly - 6-9 PM - Up Stairs - Manasota Key
Sunday, October 23rd - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Wednesday, October 26th - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key
CANCELLED-Friday, September 28th - The Waverly - 6-9 PM - Up Stairs - Manasota Key
CANCELLED-Saturday, Oct 29th - The Paraiso 5-9 - Placida
Sunday, October 30th
 - Seed and Bean - Brunch - 10AM-1PM - Venice
Monday, October 31st - The White Elephant Pub 1-5 PM Manasota Key

 

 

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