Members Tullsterx Posted September 25, 2013 Members Share Posted September 25, 2013 My band is talking about maybe going full-time. . . I'm not sure if I want to, or if it would be wise, or if I could swing it financially. . . and I'm talking about being a full-time party/cover band. I have a good job that I like pretty well. And paying full-time sounds like a lot of work. Anybody here playing full-time in a cover band? Did you have to leave a good job to do it and was it worth it? Any regrets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wheresgrant3 Posted September 25, 2013 Members Share Posted September 25, 2013 Define full time... and how will you be able to sustain yourselves full time (booking independently, through an agency). I know several full time cover bands (some former bandmates in some) and all of them are dependent on an outside agency and touring. Good friends of mine are in the Amish Outlaws a popular Northeast cover band that perfoms 5 days a week. Wednesday thru Sunday. In that time they may drive 800-1000 miles to perform where the agent books them. Last weekend they were booked in Yonkers on Wed, CT on Thursday, Maryland on Friday, Philly on Sat and Rhode Island on Sunday. Their base rate is over $3K and the agency probably takes 15%. Rooms and meals are covered by the agency/business and they are all 1099'd at the end of the year and must pay the taxes owed by April 15th. They are able to write off alot of expenses. I think they all make respectable livings. I mean you could get paid the same and have a job you hate. They've had the same lineup now for 6-7 years and show no signs of burnout. They do play to some smaller crowds on Wed and Thurs and they have to deal with weather and club cancellations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wheresgrant3 Posted September 25, 2013 Members Share Posted September 25, 2013 I wanted to add... up until this year I would consider us semi full time. We averaged 7-10 shows per month and were in the 2nd tier of regional club pay. ($1500-2500). We booked 80% independent and 20-30% through agents. Rarely was hotel comped or paid for. We kept travel down to 3 hrs away (Boston-Philly) and had 1-2 overnights per month. And we all held down day jobs. So the cash was supplmental. And it was a nice supplemental. There was a point for 4 years I never went to an ATM. In the Northeast there are only a handful of bands that can manage a full time schedule. Maybe that's a bit easier in the Southeast. Most is 60-70% clubs and 30-40% privates. I'd be interested in hearing how you guys plan to keep a full 4-5 gig per week calendar. When you get to that level you absolutely need someone offstage working the phones and maintaining the calendar. Great promo video BTW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J.Paul Posted September 26, 2013 Members Share Posted September 26, 2013 I think East Coast does a good job but I also think Grant is spot on....It's mostly Fri / Sat these days..... Those numbers don't work well (as a full time thing) but are an excellent supplemental source. Sure going full time frees you up for Casino type engagements that can beef up the numbers w/ a Wed/Sun added to the mix but even THOSE are drying up. I would stay where you're at, keep the 401k and health ins and just do fun profitable weekends. What's wrong with that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tullsterx Posted September 26, 2013 Author Members Share Posted September 26, 2013 We're with East Coast and the band leader just brought it up, along with the idea of just playing more shows. And he thinks we could go full time just by telling East Coast "go ahead and book us full-time." but, it would be more travel and some crappy shows inbetween.But, me, and others, have reservations. So, right now, we'll probably just add more shows. Mostly we just do Saturday. But, we're starting to add more Fridays. I just wanted to get some insights from people that have switched to playing full-time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sventvkg Posted September 26, 2013 Members Share Posted September 26, 2013 No darn way I would go full time in a Band!! Where's the money? Maybe if you were as good as Tainted Love and did corporate, private, and some higher end bar stuff like House of Blues etc and were established for about 10-20 years. Other than that no way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SpaceNorman Posted September 26, 2013 Members Share Posted September 26, 2013 Seems to me that for many of us - any conversation about going "full-time" that is focused on the qualities, attributes and potential of a cover band is pretty misguided. Going "full-time" does nothing except make more potential work dates available. Unless you're already well down the path to a very successful career - in and of itself, it won't necessarily position you for bigger and better gigs. If you're a $150 a man / $600 a night 4 piece today - you'll be a $600 a night 4 piece when you go fulltime. Realistic projections of the band's gross revenue (and your personal gross) can be had if you're honest with yourself. Using that $150 a man figure - a "full-time" act booking 5 days a week, 52 weeks each year (260 gigs) - would gross $39K per man. The reality is that for most of us - a conversation about going "full-time" is rightfully focused on what we'd be giving up. For many of us older guys - the $39K earnings bracket is well behind us - and that's before we give any consideration to things like health care, paid vacation, etc. - and in most cases, a far more consistent revenue stream.In the end, when we face a decision - it's about making the best decision you can, given the information you know - and doing what we must. If the dollars in your personal situation make going "full-time" workable - then it's an option open to you. For those with better opportunities available to them - the thought of going "full-time" is a fantasy at best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sventvkg Posted September 26, 2013 Members Share Posted September 26, 2013 If he's paying that much tax as a musician than he needs a good accountant:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Blackbird 13 Posted September 26, 2013 Members Share Posted September 26, 2013 Tullsterx wrote: My band is talking about maybe going full-time. . . I'm not sure if I want to, or if it would be wise, or if I could swing it financially. . . and I'm talking about being a full-time party/cover band. I have a good job that I like pretty well. And paying full-time sounds like a lot of work. Anybody here playing full-time in a cover band? Did you have to leave a good job to do it and was it worth it? Any regrets? It is entirely possible to make a living playing music in a cover band, especially with a great agency behind you. But.. what are you comparing it to? If you already make great money and benefits at your current job, why would you want to take a step backward in pay and security? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Potts Posted September 26, 2013 Members Share Posted September 26, 2013 Strat... I spent ten years building houses and swinging a hammer, ten in management and I've already lived a lifetime way beyond my 45 years. I''ll be in school probably until I get my phd... And we wont be worried at 60 either. That's when we sell the house and get in the RV. And even then we don't have any plans. To each his own right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIMKEYS Posted September 26, 2013 Members Share Posted September 26, 2013 Potts wrote: Strat... I spent ten years building houses and swinging a hammer, ten in management and I've already lived a lifetime way beyond my 45 years. I''ll be in school probably until I get my phd... And we wont be worried at 60 either. That's when we sell the house and get in the RV. And even then we don't have any plans. To each his own right? Yup go for it. What is the PHD going to be in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted September 27, 2013 Members Share Posted September 27, 2013 Potts wrote: Strat... I spent ten years building houses and swinging a hammer, ten in management and I've already lived a lifetime way beyond my 45 years. I''ll be in school probably until I get my phd... And we wont be worried at 60 either. That's when we sell the house and get in the RV. And even then we don't have any plans. To each his own right? Indeed, and after re-reading what I wrote, I realized i was lecturing you. Not my intent, and apologies are in order so....please accept my apology! I'm hardly one to be dispensing retiement advice anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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