I’ve been playing music for about 16 years as “Some Guy Named Robb“. It occurred to me the other day that there have been so many places over the years I’ve played that have closed down. So I started pulling them off of my contacts list. You can see below how many places it was. But it got me started thinking about how hard it was at first to even get a gig. Let alone a paying show!
I think it’s hard when you’re getting started to make a name for yourself. I mean, who wants to hire someone to come in who may potentially be so bad it might actually hurt their business? That’s a legitimate concern for people who own their own business.
Music can definitely bring in commerce to the business. But music can do the opposite too.
So you try to get a show and they tell you no. What do you do?
Simple answer.. You keep trying.
I’ve been turned down for venues too. Plenty. But before you give it all up and throw in the towel, consider these things.
Maybe it wasn’t the right style of music, maybe it wasn’t the right timing. Maybe it was some person with a grudge. Maybe it was an abuse of power. Maybe they can’t financially make it happen right now. Maybe it was the wrong choice. Maybe it was the right choice.
I offer this list as an encouragement to people when they get turned down to play at a venue.
Remember, you, and your music if you continue, will probably far outlive the venue that turned you down. You keep doing your thing. Keep playing where they let you play. And if that doesn’t work… Hear me well on this point, MAKE your own venue! Busk if you have to! Find your own gig! Ask busy places where people gather frequently (that don’t usually have music) if they would hire you to come and increase their business! Set up in a park and start playing on a busy Saturday! And benefits! Don’t forget to play benefits to help give back to your community. At the same time, it puts you in front of different audiences!
Trust me, friends. The Music is Worth It!
(PS I LOVED playing so many of these places! Thanks to all of them for supporting music over the years. For the great venues out of these, I’m sorry people stopped coming and let you down! For the awful venues, well…)
XXX Juanita’s: Little Rock, AR
XXX Thrio’s: Arkadelphia, AR
XXX The Common Grounds: Texarkana, TX
XXX The Crossing, Russellville, AR
XXX The Common Grounds: Fayetteville, AR
XXX Advents Art Cafe: Conway, AR
XXX The Poet’s Loft: Hot Springs, AR
XXX Nu Brew Coffee House: Springfield, MO
XXX Old Town Tavern: Fort Smith, AR
XXX Romedio’s: Dardanelle, AR
XXX Something Brewing: Conway, AR
XXX Fat Tuesdays: Altus, AR
XXX Higher Grounds: Russellville, AR
XXX The Coffee Beanery: Little Rock, AR
XXX TRYBZ: Texarkana, TX
XXX Galileo’s: Oklahoma City, OK
XXX The Perk: Fayetteville, AR
XXX The Mast: El Dorado, AR
XXX The Matrix, Conway, AR
XXX Pop’s Acoustic Review: Hot Springs, AR
XXX The Gypsy Tea Room: Fayetteville, AR
XXX The Patio Bar: Hot Springs, AR
XXX Cafe Latte: North Little Rock, AR
XXX The Living Room: Little Rock, AR
XXX Sonny’s Pizzeria: Eureka Springs, AR
XXX The Buzz: Conway, AR
XXX O’Susanna Concert Series: Blytheville, AR
XXX The Living Room: Oklahoma City, OK
XXX The Copper Bar: Fayetteville, AR
XXX Daly’s Downtown: Dardanelle, AR
XXX San Fransico Bread Co.: Conway, AR
XXX The Switchback Tavern; Ridgway, CO
XXX Opal Fly’s Lounge; Fayettevile, AR
XXX Drifters; Fayetteville, AR
XXX The Jesus Place: Norman, OK
XXX Savannah’s; Dardanelle, AR
XXX Palatcio’s: Russellville, AR
XXX Woodside Coffee Shop: Bryant, AR
XXX Sufficient Grounds: Little Rock, AR
XXX CJ’s: Clarksville, AR
XXX The Perk, Fayetteville, AR
XXX Cafe Santa Fe, Springdale, AR
XXX The Luxory Liner: Joplin, MO
XXX Gypsy Coffee House: Tulsa, OK
XXX Brew Ha Ha: Conway, AR
XXX Garbanzo’s: Hot Springs, AR
XXX Queen Cherokee: Grove, OK
XXX Dadoo’s: Fayetteville, AR
XXX Peace Acoustic Cafe: Conway, AR
XXX Alligator Ray’s: Fayetteville, AR
XXX The Corner Cafe: El Dorado, AR
XXX Conroy’s Irish Pub: Fort Smith, AR
XXX Ava’s Village Pub: Fort Smith, AR
XXX Oak Tree Bistro, Russellville, AR
XXX The Attic: Hot Springs, AR
If I messed up on any of these, or if they’ve reopened, be sure and let me know in the comments so I can amend this list partial list.
Be wonderful,
Life is Now!
robb 6.6.16
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some blog named robb 