Last Saturday, Reprise 60s had a gig at a popular bar in Binghamton. The arrangement we had with the manager was that we would be working for “the door”. This meant that incoming customers would pay a cover charge – five dollars in this case - and the money collected would be ours. Also as part of the agreement, we were to provide the door personnel. Our wives agreed to handle the job. However, when we arrived to set up, we were told not to “worry about it” and that the bar bouncers would be collecting the cover charge.
Throughout the night we watched as one of the bouncers celebrated his birthday at the bar while several new customers arrived and walked in without paying. We worked hard, playing from 10 p.m. till 2 a.m., per our original agreement, with just two 15-minute breaks between sets. As we packed our gear at the end of the night, the birthday-bouncer walked up to Kevin, our sound man, and handed him a cup filled with a few bills. We were shocked to discover that our total take was $175. Apparently, only 35 customers had paid to get in that night, though we could count many more bodies in the room at any given time during our four-hour performance.
Musicians beware! If you’re playing for the door, make sure collection of the cover charge is being overseen by someone who will watch out for your interests.
No comments:
Post a Comment