Gugny Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 I'm helping to organize a fundraiser to raise money for homeless veterans. I asked a guitarist from a local band if they'd be available. His first question, "Last time they threw us some dough. Is that still part of the budget?" I was pissed. I've been in bands, on and off, for the past 20+ years. I've played MANY benefits/fundraisers. Not only was I never given money ... I was never offered money and I never asked for money. It's a BENEFIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So ... what do you think? Should it be a given that the band plays for free? Keep in mind, please, I'm not asking Bruno Mars or Maroon 5 to play ... these are just local bar bands I'm hitting up. And I'm not raising money for a class trip; this is for homeless veterans. The band will have all they can eat for free and the bar is kicking in one beer/guy/set. Thanks for opining!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PastaJoe Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 I think it's reasonable to at least pay for their expenses if any, and provide free food and drink. As far as them making a profit, only if they had to give up another profitable engagement to do the benefit. It also depends on how popular they are. Would they attract enough people to cover their cost and still net more than if they weren't there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 I think it's reasonable to at least pay for their expenses if any, and provide free food and drink. As far as them making a profit, only if they had to give up another profitable engagement to do the benefit. It also depends on how popular they are. Would they attract enough people to cover their cost and still net more than if they weren't there. Should have mentioned that. Free food is an absolute. And the bar will kick in one beer/guy/set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 It's charity. It's voluntary by definition. If they want to donate their time, good for them. If they don't...get a different band. You can't really force (or expect) people to make charitable donations, so it makes little sense to get pissed when they don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 It's charity. It's voluntary by definition. If they want to donate their time, good for them. If they don't...get a different band. You can't really force (or expect) people to make charitable donations, so it makes little sense to get pissed when they don't. I guess I got pissed because the guy who asked about the "dough" is a friend and his WWII veteran father recently passed. So yes ... I absolutely expected him to donate his band's time. But I get the gist of what you wrote. Incidentally, I did find another band through another local music contact. The band member who agreed to do it did not ask for money. When he told the band, one of the members said he wanted money to cover his gas. He was told that he would be subbed for if he wanted money. That's doing the right thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Charity. You volunteer to show up on your own time and your own dime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deranged Rhino Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Completely depends on the event. But even if it was paid, I'd donate the check to the charity I was there for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockpile Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 If the band is paid to perform, they should be declaring it as taxable income, right? If they donate their time, they can deduct their band fees and expenses they would have earned for a paying gig. If they can and they want to donate their time, great. If not, it is a free choice. Do not get upset. Every year I walk and collect money for MS. I am SO thankful for donations, but NEVER get upset if someone does not sponsor me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I voted yes. I mean it is their main job/income, right? Can they afford to have everybody and their bother asking for free services... How's that gonna put bread on the table? Some (like say Harry) may have a daytime job and they are doing all right, so they don't mind if they make the scene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Some (like say Harry) may have a daytime job and they are doing all right, so they don't mind if they make the scene. But then some of them...I mean...look at them yo-yos, that's the way you do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 But then some of them...I mean...look at them yo-yos, that's the way you do it. LoL! I am glad somebody caught it! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I'm available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 I'm available. Can I make a joke here?... Nevermind, it's inappropriate! ;-P ;-P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share Posted October 30, 2014 If the band is paid to perform, they should be declaring it as taxable income, right? If they donate their time, they can deduct their band fees and expenses they would have earned for a paying gig. If they can and they want to donate their time, great. If not, it is a free choice. Do not get upset. Every year I walk and collect money for MS. I am SO thankful for donations, but NEVER get upset if someone does not sponsor me. I get this, Rockpile, and I do not disagree with you. My beef isn't the people that won't pony up the $20 to attend the event, though. I get that. Money is a lot more difficult to come up with/part with than time. As a performer/band, the 4-hour time investment has returns. They are making the bar owners happy. If they are new, they are auditioning for the bar owners. They're getting exposure. They're getting free advertisement. If they have merch, they can sell it and donate a % to the event's cause. They will have a great reputation as a band who GIVES. That's a lot of perks for giving up a few hundred bucks. This event is on a Saturday afternoon. There is band playing there that night. I extended the offer to them to play for 2-3 hours in the afternoon for the benefit. They'd be set up early. It would get their soundcheck out of the way and it could even be a good opportunity to polish some new stuff if they had it. They refused unless they got additional money. Mind you, they're already gonna get paid for their evening gig. They'd already have to be there; have to set up; have to tear down. And they still wanted more money. Guess what ... they'll never play at that bar again because the bar owner is disgusted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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