SATURDAY THOUGHTS: WORK

You can almost taste the shock and offense. 

"Wha...wait a minute. I have to call who? I can't just deal with you? Hmph. Things sure have changed."

They surely have. Creatives are tired of being broke.

Booking agents provide a much needed service. They hold the conversations with event planners that, for some singers and musicians are very uncomfortable or intimidating. 

They separate the honest wheat, from the opportunistic tares.

 

I have been relieved on past occasions to be able to say, for example, "Contact Frank Sheffield" or
"Call Roger Holmes", when I felt it was warranted. They made sure I wasn't cheated.

If event planners do follow through, you know that they're serious, aren't just looking for a hookup, value the music they want for their events, and respect what singers and musicians do as legitimate work. If they don't, then singers and musicians haven't lost any money, effort, or time.

I am no stranger to Rehoboth Baptist Church, have known the Palmer family for years, and consider them friends, but I was so honored that they treated me as they would any professional singer when planning their 150th Anniversary event. 

That, like countless other events, I would have participated in just because they asked, but it was confirmation that there are people--people you know--who value your time and effort.

For a long time, I've known that I've been the go-to person for some people who wanted something for nothing---and many times at the last minute. 

"Oh, call Vanessa! She'll do it!" 

...and she did...for many years with no complaints. 

Some people even began to act as if they owned me, or as if I owed them. 

It's amazing how one "No" can cause people to forget the countless times you said "Yes". 

A few attempted to punish me because I didn't do what they wanted, when they wanted. 

Some don't speak any more. Perhaps they're ashamed that they cheated me and others for so long. 

I was even blacklisted for a while. (Yes, there are people whose sphere of influence includes people you know, who know you, should vouch for you, but are too afraid of losing their positions to speak up and defend you--until they get kicked to the curb.) 

Even people I thought were friends tried to block opportunities. 

"Oh, she won't do that" 

"She's busy" 

"I think she's out of town" 

"I don't have her number, but I'll do it!"

 "Why do you want to use her? She doesn't even have a record out."

Other times, I wasn't worthy of the honorarium promised to/allotted for/that is standard for the celebrity who was either a no-show, missed a plane, recommended me, or didn't even return the event planners phone calls.

I even recommended someone I thought would be a better fit, and an event planner actually said, "Oh, she asks for too much money. That's why I called you. You're humble."

Fortunately, I've learned that the people who will support, value, and appreciate you the most, may not always look like you, live near you, be in your perceived circle, participate in any industry, or even speak your language. (Talk about ordered steps!)

Music tends to be the last line item for many event planners--after the budget has been depleted for important things like centerpieces and plastic party favors. The attitude seems to be that someone on the committee knows "someone good, who will do it for free". 

Singers and musicians are often offered meals as compensation.

The celebrity artist(s) who recorded the song(s), will require a round trip ticket, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and meals. That cost is multiplied if they should not want to travel alone. 

A local singer or musician, however, is expected to use their own resources to get to and from the venue, come in and "sing/play it just like the record". 

If the local singer doesn't know the requested song(s), they have to learn it/them. That, too, takes time. 

Event planners make a lot of demands, but as we all know, people do what you allow. 

You can't assume that people know better, or even care whether what they are asking will impact you financially. 

Singers and musicians have to speak up and not be so afraid of the loss of an opportunity that they begin a bad, and depleting habit of selling themselves short.

People will do what is best and most economical for themselves. 

Event planners expect you to wear the designated colors, show up early, stay late, and attend rehearsals, but they'll look at you sideways if you have the nerve to say, "Please contact_________".

(On another note, an invitation to an event means that a singer or musician should not be buying a ticket. They will show up, and sit, mingle, schmooze, and enjoy themselves like everyone else. Call on them to perform, and the invitation becomes an assignment. It's a job. They will be employees just like the caterer, servers, graphic artist, DJ, bartender, and florist.

Why do event planners question your commitment to "ministry", support of volunteerism, or call you "brand new" or arrogant if you direct them to an agent after they seek you out to work?

Many local artists are accused of "not giving back". Frankly, many of us have given, but never publicly reported the scores of times we have worked without pay. 

No one should have to be reminded that transportation is not cheap, and utility companies do not accept sheet cake, trophies, plaques, certificates, chicken wings, potato chips, pizza, Swedish meatballs, or corsages.

Maybe the YouTube videos fool people into thinking local singers and musicians are wealthy, and don't need resources for the work they do. 

There are too many who use the "exposure" angle, too. Frankly, many of us are suffering from severe frostbite and sunburn from all the "exposure" we've had, and we have cramps in our fingers from all of the waivers we've signed.

We like to pay our bills in full and on time, too.

I don't know. I believe I have enough discernment to know when to sow, or volunteer, but if I don't consider the state of my own affairs every now and then, and view what I do as legitimate "work", who will?