The Letter

Now that we had two gigs to our credit, I was certain that the time had come to begin a full-out assault on the local club circuit. Surely the word had spread about this fabulous new band that could perfectly recreate the sounds of the sixties groups from England, but just to be safe, I decided to provide the spark that would get us some attention. I contacted a friend of mine who owns a small neighborhood tavern. We’ll come in and put on a free show for your customers, I offered, if you will allow us to use the place for an audition. She agreed (she had actually allowed us to set up and play there once before, as a tune-up for our first job, so she was a little less reluctant this time around since we were no longer an unknown). Next, I composed a letter and mailed it out to several club owners and radio station reps:

Reprise 60s
The band that brings back the fabulous sounds of a fab era

Feb. 18, 2009

Xxxx
Main Street
Binghamton, NY

This performance is for you …

Dear Xxxx,

Please come by the Wine Cellar, 100 Rano Blvd., Vestal, on Saturday, February 28, between 8 and 10 pm, to see and hear one of the hottest new musical groups in the area and enjoy a drink of your choice on the members of the band. We are four established musicians who have been performing in various local bands for several decades. We got together in 2007 and began rehearsing weekly, perfecting our sound for over 18 months before making our first public appearance as Reprise 60s in November 2008.

You are receiving this notice because we believe that our show — a tribute to the music of The Beatles and other 1960’s groups — would be a perfect fit for your establishment, and we’re staging this event because we think you’ll agree.

If you cannot make it on the 28th, please visit our Web site at: www.Reprise60s.com. Click on the word “media” and check out song samples and photos from our recent gigs. We will be contacting you to follow up within the next few weeks. In the meantime, call Bob Greaves (xxx-xxx-xxxx) or Gary Ingraham (xxx-xxx-xxxx) to arrange a booking.

Thank you and we’ll look forward to seeing you soon.
(end of letter)



We had lots of fun that night, and the regular patrons were clearly enjoying the music. Just one letter recipient accepted our invitation. We were well into our second, and final, set when I recognized the tall man in the dark dress coat standing at the bar. Jim owns one of the finest restaurants in the area, a former firehouse on the south side of the city. Number 5 Restaurant is the first place I’ll take out-of-town guests when my aim is to impress. I got nervous when I saw him, and I felt my voice shaking as I sang. I thought playing at his place would be a major coup for the band, and a guarantee of our future success.

As we ended our set, I noticed he was getting ready to leave. I rushed over to catch up with him. “Hi Jim,” I said. “Thanks for coming. Whadja’ think?”

“Pretty good,” he said. “You nailed some of the songs. Others were okay.”

Well, fair enough, I thought. Better than a knee to the groin.

“The band I had last night pissed me off, and they pissed off my waitress, too. So they’re out,” he said, pointing a thick, imposing finger at my chest, “And you’re in!”

He turned and started toward the door.

“I guess we’ll get in touch?” I said to his backside.

“I’m out of town next week, but back the following week,” he said over his shoulder. “Call me.”

And then he was gone.