Members Terry Allan Hall Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 Played at one of the Potbelly locations in Ft. Worth last night...a bit of background may be in order, so let me back up slightly. There is a place on the Southside of Ft. Worth where several restaurants, with outside, as well as inside, dining areas, form a square, with a small (100' X 100') "park" in the center and in the middle of this small "park" is a gazebo where I sometimes busk on week nights...security in this shopping area is fairly relaxed, but the main security chief has warned me to keep the volume reasonable, so that there won't be complaints (which I've always made a point of complying with, of course)...well, one restaurant has been getting less business than the others and decided that my busking was the problem, so they made a complaint and the security chief brought the bad news. As I was loading my guitars and Crate Taxi into my truck, the manager of the Potbelly location came over to ask why I'd stopped playing, and when I explained the details, he said he'd like me to come over some evening and play inside. We agreed upon last night... Back to last night's gig: When I got there, I inquired where they wanted me to set up and the assistant manager pointed to the stage...it was on a cat-walk about 10 feet up in the air, almost 5 feet from the ceiling! (according to the manager, elevated stages are the norm at all Potbelly locations)... Being the possessor of a 75% paralyzed left foot, I try to avoid excessive climbing, but the show must go on...so I did climb up, had the assistant manager hand me up my guitars, Taxi and bag of mics and cables, and I set up, all stooped over like Quasimodo! Obviously, I did the entire gig sitting down, another first for me (I've always stood at my gigs, but as I mentioned, there was only a bit less than 5' to the ceiling and I'm just a sliver under 6')... Gig went very well, and I now have a Thursday and Friday lunch gig (11am - 1pm) for as long as I want it, plus the option of picking up some of the other weekday lunch gigs, should the guy who plays Mon-Tues-Wed ever stop, as well as weekend nights as our schedules allow. Tips went about as well as outside, plus a set fee from the house AND anything I want off the menu (last night I had the meatball-and-provolone sandwich)... Now, if I just can get comfortable with that stage being up in the air!
Members babablowfish Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 I can just about picture you up there. Did they make you wear Go-Go boots as well?
Members garthman Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 Make sure the seat of your pants are clean.
Members Greymuzzle Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 Every cloud has a silver lining. I dunno about TAH adding a Cloak of Respectability to the rest of the stage outfit though
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted July 13, 2007 Author Members Posted July 13, 2007 Make sure the seat of your pants are clean. Coming down last night, they almost weren't...thought I'd missed a rung, at 1st!
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted July 13, 2007 Author Members Posted July 13, 2007 Where is your tip jar? On the counter, next to the cash register, with a business card holder in front (restaurant gigs often lead to private party gigs, as I'm sure you're aware)... Doubt I'd make much if they had to climb up to where I'm sitting!
Members T.B. Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 Hell, it wasn't your playing keeping patrons away from the other restaurant it was their food. The Potbelly's in our area are pretty much setup the same way, same deal, the other place is a ghost town. Potbelly's makes a tasty meatball and roast-beef sandwich. Do ya get free food too? Hey Terry, since you're tight with the manager and all, could you suggest the next time he/she speaks with the corporate big wigs, tell them the should offer their delicious shakes in different sizes. This is America man, BIG portions have become a way of life. Trina
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted July 13, 2007 Author Members Posted July 13, 2007 Hell, it wasn't you playing that was keeping the patrons away from the other restaurant it was their food. That's the word I got, too...won't name names, other than to mention that the name rhymes with a common obscenity... The Potbelly's in our area are pretty much setup the same way Elevated stage, too? , same deal, the other place is a ghost town. Potbelly's makes a tasty meatball and roast-beef sandwich. Do ya get free food too? Yeah, that's one of the perks! Had the meat-and-provolone last night, so I'll give the roast-beef a test-run next Thursday...I've also heard they make a superior chicken salad, as well, so that might be Friday's lunch. I figure I'll try everything at least once! Hey Terry, since you're tight with the manager and all, could you suggest the next time he/she speaks with the corporate big wigs, tell them they should offer their delicious shakes in different sizes. This is America man, BIG portions have become a way of life. Thought they offered them in 3 sizes, but I may be wrong...I'll mention it next Thursday, 'though. Trina
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted July 13, 2007 Author Members Posted July 13, 2007 Every cloud has a silver lining. I dunno about TAH adding a Cloak of Respectability to the rest of the stage outfit though Cloak of Respectability?...moi?
Members T.B. Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 Originally Posted by Terry Allan Hall Elevated stage, too? We have one with the elevated stage and one without. That's the word I got, too...won't name names, other than to mention that the name rhymes with a common obscenity... Oh yea, that's the one. Thought they offered them in 3 sizes, but I may be wrong...I'll mention it next Thursday, 'though. Thanks a bunch .... never know who knows who, six degrees separation. Trina
Members Stackabones Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 I play at one that has the stage on the floor, but I've played in ones that have the stage way up. Nice that they let you put out a tip jar. I'd been told that musicians can receive tips, but that they can't ask for them. Probably depends on the manager.
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted July 13, 2007 Author Members Posted July 13, 2007 I play at one that has the stage on the floor, but I've played in ones that have the stage way up. Nice that they let you put out a tip jar. I'd been told that musicians can receive tips, but that they can't ask for them. Probably depends on the manager. The jar I use is a medium-sized fishbowl with musical notes painted on the glass...I never mention it, it's just kinda there "for convenience"... So, I'm guessing that PotBelly's nationwide, then?
Members Stackabones Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 The jar I use is a medium-sized fishbowl with musical notes painted on the glass...I never mention it, it's just kinda there "for convenience"... So, I'm guessing that PotBelly's nationwide, then? I think they started up in Chicago. There's probably more than a dozen of them in the Metroplex. It gets really hot up there on those little mezzanine stages, TAH! I'm so glad that the one I'm playing now doesn't have one. The Potbelly gigs can be fun. I've worked on all sorts of different tunes and approaches to playing while playing there. I've found that the patrons who enjoy the music the most are the little kids and Japanese tourists! Everyone else is too cool, or hungry, to notice.
Members CorkyII Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 Elevated stages can be dangerous. Back in college I was playing in the orchestra for "Godspell" and we were set up on a platform about 15 feet above the stage. During one tune the drummer stopped playing. The guitarist and I both looked over at the same time and he was just gone - he had fallen off the back of the platform in the middle of a song! He was laying at the back of the stage looking stunned while the dancers and singers in front of him were still going about their business. Was pretty funny. I've played with guys who dropped out playing during a song before but had never played with someone who literally "dropped out."
Members guitarist21 Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 I think they started up in Chicago. There's probably more than a dozen of them in the Metroplex. There's a TON here in Chicago and they're a lot of fun to play at. The one I've played at has no stage but I sit on a tall stool when I play. I kinda wish it had a stage, it gets a little cramped at lunchtime with people walking by you and stuff, but it is still a fun place. Ellen
Members burkedajerk88 Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 wish i had meatball and provolone sandwich
Members PAC Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 TAH, You might want to add a gunner's belt to your gig bag (I'm sure some others on the forum know these):
Members Queequeg Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 TAH, You might want to add a gunner's belt to your gig bag (I'm sure some others on the forum know these): First off, I got to say, Terry, I dig reading your posts. And when I saw this one entitled Scary Gig Last Night, and it was from you, knowing about some of your really scary gigs (a la, 44 caliber style) I went to this one first. and now to the bidness @ hand (or foot)... Yeah, with that bum foot of yours, they ought to hoist you up there like Mary Poppins. Heck, you don't need to play sitting down; then you could play flying around the joint. And that should do wonders for your fish bowl, Terry.
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted July 13, 2007 Author Members Posted July 13, 2007 Yeah, with that bum foot of yours, they ought to hoist you up there like Mary Poppins. Heck, you don't need to play sitting down; then you could play flying around the joint. And that should do wonders for your fish bowl, Terry. Now, THAT'S show biz!!!
Members rjoxyz Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 Terry--Perhaps you could swing across the room on a rope while playing Ray Stevens' "Guitarzan"? Could add a little flair to the act...just a thought.
Members DonK Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 Well, at least you had a cool outcome, given that it started with a malcontent who probably needs to get a life. Be careful up there, though!
Members Scodiddly Posted July 13, 2007 Members Posted July 13, 2007 I've heard from other people about the climbing-up stages. Sounds a bit dangerous. And now I'm wondering about the whole ADA (Americans w/ Disabilities Act) aspect of that sort of thing. Maybe after a couple-three good gigs you could guilt the manager into letting you set up in a booth on the floor?
Members Cripes Posted July 14, 2007 Members Posted July 14, 2007 Be careful Terry. Go slowly up/down and get help. I can't feel either of my big toes - previous misadventure - and stairs require my full (unburdened) attention.
Members Attila Posted July 14, 2007 Members Posted July 14, 2007 Heh, sounds like an interesting time --- like you said, just get used to the stage and you'll be fine What kind of music you play/sing?
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