Members witesol Posted September 17, 2013 Members Share Posted September 17, 2013 Only mixing about 65 shows for the year. I just can't do 100+ shows anymore. I priced myself out of some, I lost a few to lower prices and some I just didn't/couldn't do any more. My job has me busy mixing in the studio, traveling, producing. I'm just tired. Maybe it's just the end of the season and I've had enough. I also sort of realized I really do not want to be a big sound company. Most of my shows were 1000 to 2000 people events. I like those. I don't like nationals all that much but I still do them. I admit it, give me a decent band, tribute band or the like, 1000 happy people and not loading in/out. Spoiled perhaps. Do you all get fed up, tired of concerts by the end of the summer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted September 17, 2013 Members Share Posted September 17, 2013 We were just talking about this very subject over lunch. Been doing it since 1978, parts of it are starting to get old. I still enjoy a straight ahead gig with good music and a good vibe. Not mixing as much, seeing more racks & stacks action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members witesol Posted September 17, 2013 Author Members Share Posted September 17, 2013 I've enjoyed the briefcase gigs, not the stacks and racks gigs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Axisplayer Posted September 17, 2013 Members Share Posted September 17, 2013 I did the same thing. I figured out before I started the company I didn't want to be a big provider. I aimed squarely for the bar/summer outdoor/small festival shows. I did well and prices went up to where it was almost worth it. That started to price me out of the small/new bands, which was just fine since I didn't really want those shows. I did a lot of the C nationals (and a couple of B's) coming into town, regionals, and the more popular ($$$) club bands. I did a 10 year run as a one man company with short periods of having hired help. System grew, but I didn't. At 60, the thought of continuing to wheel 4 LS1208s, 4 QRX212s, monitors, truss, lights, and all the racks, etc just took a toll. This year I only did a handful of shows, mostly fundraisers for things I believe in, for free or near nothing.I have a great day job, and don't need money. I have been fortunate in life. The $60K or so I still have in gear can sit until I decide to do another show and it doesn't hurt because it is all paid for. I am not buying anything new other than maintenance of current inventory. I have loved it, and it was the planned outgoing phase of my life that followed playing on stages for about 40 years. It is a young man's game when you have my target market. I continued to turn down shows this year, and the phone has pretty much stopped ringing which is fine with me. If something comes along that I choose to do, I will. It was very liberating to be able to say no when I just didn't want to do a show this year. I kept one customer whose shows I love doing. He runs a "school of rock" type business for kids that really want to play together in bands, and is a graduate of Berklee, so he does know the ropes. I love the chance to help kids have the feeling of doing a real "concert" with stacks, great lights, lasers, etc. We set up everything on a Sunday evening at larger local bars that would otherwise be closed that night. Shows are usually a sellout to the parents/grandparents/friends of the kids. My 10 year old sone learned to run my lights so he could be a part of it. I get to help in giving the kids something that most of them may never feel again, but it is a memory they won't ever forget of that first time with a real production. It is the one job I do quarterly for chump change, as payback to the world for the chance I had to do it all for so many years.Haven't shuttered the business, but am about one step away, and will probably stay in this grey area for a few years. It is headed to being a hobby on the side instead of a real business which is what it was for years. Even successful companies need an exit strategy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vinny D Posted September 17, 2013 Members Share Posted September 17, 2013 I cut way back after last year, and sold off my larger system.Just got burned out from working a real day job and trying to work 70+ shows for sound.I dropped a lot of bands I was working with, only kept a few good ones, and ones that were easy to work with. I also now only take shows at venues that provide easy access for setup/breakdown and parking!This is the first summer I have enjoyed in years... probably since I was a teenager.So far, the same plan will be in place for next year, only taking the shows I want, and if I dont get any I am more then happy spending time at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted September 17, 2013 Members Share Posted September 17, 2013 Interesting to see yous "gung-ho" guys cutting back. Just curious if you know who (generically) is filling the void you are creating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dbMontana Posted September 17, 2013 Members Share Posted September 17, 2013 Axisplayer wrote: --snip-- I love the chance to help kids have the feeling of doing a real "concert" ... +1 -- pay it forward! I'd like to meet you some day sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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