Booking Do's and Don'ts

10 High Club at Dark Horse Tavern, Curtis Clark, Atlanta, GA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Form an organized street team. Get your MySpace friends to all send me messages telling me that they'll come to the show if I book you.
2. Do be willing to play for free and be able to accept last minute shows. Have your calendar at your side and be able to speak for the entire band.
3. Have something to sell, meaning this: What makes your band so different? Why should I book you instead of a zillion other bands?
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't tell me who you've opened for or who produced your CD, it doesn't matter.
2. Don't attempt to hype me, I know more than you...get past it and I can see through bullshit like a super hero.
3. Don't cancel dates...Don't be late...Don't ask for special favors until you're drawing a crowd. Your draw is your most important tool when dealing with booking agents. If your band brings out people everytime you play, you can have anything you want from a smart booking agent.

Acorn Theater, David Fink, Three Oaks, MI
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Let us know other places you have played in our area and if you have a contact list to help us lure in an audience.
2. Watch your reputation. It travels. When you set up the gig, plan for a sound check! Show up in time for it! Better yet, show up a little early. Along with this point, know the time zone of your gig. I like knowing load in time, sound check time, and I like for everyone to know when the doors open and the show starts.
3. Communicate your wishes/needs ahead of time when possible.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Cancel at the last minute without consulting with the venue about options.
2. Lie about car trouble when you actually book a better paying gig and, if you do, don't put the new gig on your website and assume the canceled venue will never find out what you did
3. Don't assume we will book you or have you back if you don't bring an audience.

Anthem Entertainment, Ashley Horton
BOOKING DO'S (for the booker):
1. Always treat the band with respect, regardless of how established they are because performing in front of people is not easy.
2. Be punctual with communication, respond to emails and calls right away.
3. Ask questions, get to know your bands, their style, preferences, and listen because it leads to more cohesive lineups and better shows.
BOOKING DON'TS/PET PEEVES (for the musician):
1. Bands that text to try and get shows - it's not professional.
2. Bands that call instead of responding to an e-mail first and then call repeatedly.
3. Bands that think they are too good for something (whether it be pre-sale tickets, playing an earlier time slot, or wanting a huge guarantee); if you're not a national/well known act and we haven't worked with you before you should be willing to work and thankful for the opportunity/exposure.

Arlene's Grocery, Julia Darling, New York, NY
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Make sure your links work.
2. Provide dates you're not available.
3. Keep it short.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't clog the inbox with huge files.
2. Don't call to follow up - email is best.
3. Don't write long bios about how the band got together.

Bamboo Room, Russell Hibbard, Lake Worth, FL
BOOKING DO'S: FOR BOTH BUYERS AND ACTS
1. DO research your market and target accordingly. This is doubly important for acts.
2. DO make fee agreements and ticket points crystal clear. Avoid boilerplate in contracts.
3. DO behave professionally: It's a BUSINESS. Whether buyer or act, if you show your ass it'll follow you. Courtesy counts on both sides. Act honorably.
BOOKING DON'TS: FOR ACTS & AGENTS
1. DON'T expect a 5-act bill to pay anyone except the promoter or club owner. Never take a door deal. Desperation isn't flattering or healthy. If you're good, be hard to get. Be selective of where you want your fans to see you. Don't book shows 500+ miles apart and don't play every venue in your hometown. The reasons should be obvious.
2. DON'T ever send physical booking materials unsolicited. Acts waste time and money, buyers rarely have time or inclination to review things they haven't requested. Don't pester buyers that you've sent stuff too, they'll ignore you. Use online sources whenever possible. If you don't have an easily accessible and navigatible website, try Sonicbids or a similar service. MySpace isn't especially useful without a serious following outside of your market. It also doesn't always function well, the audio quality blows, and contact info is rarely immediately accessible.
3. DON'T think you'll get far without solid material and a media/marketing plan to make it shine. The best PR one can get isn't bought: music editors and writers impressed with what you do will spread the word far more effectively than any PR firm.

Big Top Chautauqua, Terry Meyer, Bayfield, WI
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Remember the Theatre is trying to stay in business too.
2. Be willing to make a deal where everyone can win and no one has all the risk.
3. Help with promotional materials, interviews and everything you can to sell the show.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't tell me you know what will sell out our theatre - because you don't.
2. Don't look at our total seating capacity and raise your price, because, those seats aren't automatically sold - and often don't sell at all. Just because we can afford to present Willie Nelson, doesn't mean we can pay you more - you are no Willie Nelson! ie: high ticket price, guaranteed sales...
3. Don't make me explain why we didn't book your group - there are thousands and thousands of artists to choose from and they're all trying to get in to very few spots. We don't have to justify our decisions - we can only do the best we can to present quality, diversity and stay in business.

Black Potatoe, Matt Angus, Clinton, NJ
For Artist:
1. Don't demand anything if you only brought 3 people. a) That is just stupid and b) it shows that you are stupid.
2. Get posters and promo material to the venue as soon as you ink the deal.
3. Don't book yourself where no one knows you. It wastes your time and money as well as the venues.
4. If you are great, be willing to do your first show for free, but only one. NEVER TWO.
5. Don't worry about doing your own business. If you can bring people to a gig, then the venue will like you. Even if you did the booking, publicity and management.
For Agents (bigger ones)
1. Most of you suck. I know you handle big name bands that make tons of bread at corporate gigs, but it doesn't mean that your bands don't suck. Most popular ones today...do.
2. Help out the small promoter, there are some of us left that do care about music. Remember when you did? Well, reach back to that time and give the small guy a try. They are all not as burned out and bitter as you.
3. Actually take the offers to your artist. I know you don't think it is all that, but aren't you working for them. Most musicians are also not as burned out as you guys, let them decide. Maybe they want to play a cool vibe and get out of those sterile 1500 people theaters. Ask the Stones, if you don't get this.
For Agents (smaller ones)
1. Be cool. The small guys would rather work with you. If your artist actually has potential, they will want to help you, but don't try to rake them over the coals. Leave that to the bigger guys.
2. For a small agent, it is all about relationships. I cannot stress point number 1 enough.
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Book Great music, even if you lose money.
2. Pay bands that have draw appropriately.
3. Take care of the bands that take care of you.
4. Be honest with bands and agents. I always say "it is a promoters job to get a band/artists name out there, it is up to the artist and their management for that to mean something."
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Do not overpay for an artist
2. Never book a band that is willing to do pay-to-play. a) it means they probably suck and b) it also mean that you probably suck.
3. Do not count on an artist to do publicity, either they have a reputation or they don't.
4. Do not do favors for the bigger name agents, they don't give a shit about you, wait until they do you a favor first.

The Boobie Trap Bar, Brian Chambers, Topeka, KS
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Contact locals to help you with your show. It takes time but it is time well spent if you get a solid local to make your show a success.
2. Plan for a second trip back to a venue. One and done doesn't really do anybody any good. Each time a band comes back the shows should get better if the bands is appealing.
3. Start touring in a small radius around your home city and slowly expand as you build following in nearby cities and states. Just hopping out across the country is going to be tough to establish yourself.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't let a venue just stick you with some bands for your show. Find out who draws and work on it yourself.
2. Don't be rude or disresptful to the venue or the crowd. Nobody is making enough money in this biz to take crap from anyone else. Sound guys should remember this as well.
3. Try to find a groupie in every town on myspace or wherever and get a grass roots thing going to get some peeps out to your show. Make it personal not just a mass bulletin. All it takes is a couple of folks to gather their friends and crowds can form. Lots of time involved but most bands spend hours online looking at porn or whatever anyway so they just have to spend their time more wisely.

Charles & Myrtle's Coffeehouse, Andrew Kelsey, Chattanooga, TN
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Know the venue's music type.
2. Have a website, MySpace, etc. that lists places played, has cuts of music to listen to, and lists people you've played with.
3. Don't be offended if turned down. Often venues may know of other places where the music would fit.

Club Tavern, Michael Alexander, Middleton, WI
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Send a professional picture.
2. Send a high quality sound demo.
3. Send a list of upcoming and past shows, the more the better.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't tell me what you can do for me; if you can't do it, I can smell bullshit from a mile away.
2. Don't tell me you think you are going to be the next big thing: Prove it.
3. Don't act like a Rockstar, act like a professional. Anyone can smash a guitar and piss on a Ford Focus in the parking lot.

The Cobalt, wendythirteen, Vancouver, BC
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Do keep it brief with genre, band name, internet links, availability - exact date is prefered. I don't care what you eat for breakfast, when new members joined the band and went to high school, how many times you jam, and vagueness like 'we might be touring in the fall.'
2. Do your homework about the venue. If you're a pop band why would you play a punk bar?
3. Do be persistant but not annoying. Once a week is plenty for contact - and not by phone!!!
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't phone and wake someone who works nights up before noon...grrrr.
2. Don't leave incomplete information in youre email transmission, i.e. "Hi we're a metal band and you'll love us," and that's it.....huh??
3. Don't ask for a guarantee when no one has ever heard of you and it's your first trip to Vancouver.

Creative Entertainment Group, Howie Schnee, New York, NY
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Develop a succinct pitch which includes where your act is based, a description of the music, and your touring history in that particular market. Make sure to include a link to where we can hear music immediately without having to search for it. Focus on what you can and will do for that venue or promoter rather than what they can do for you. For example, if you have friends and family in a market you’re visiting for the first time, let us know.
2. If your draw is minimal in particular market but you have a good relationship with a strong drawing local or regional act or acts, work on getting them to be a part of the show with you. We are much more likely to book acts which present a plan to us as to why it will be a viable show. On that topic, try to show some creativity in your pitch.
3. Align yourself with a good venue or promoter that likes your band. They will find good opportunities for you. Also, align yourself with bands that have a strong following in their market(s) and try to trade shows with them.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Stay within a 1 – 2 hour radius maximum from your home base until you’ve built up at least one market where you’re drawing 100+ people consistently. If a band is drawing 200-300 people in at least one market, we will always give them a shot. If it can develop in one market, it can probably develop elsewhere.
2. Do not send a long bio in the body of an email and expect that the buyer will have time to read through the whole thing. Look at other bands bios and try to do the opposite. Many of them focus on the very same themes. Work on making yours stand out – but make sure it’s not too long.
3. Do not overbook yourself in a market. That is the biggest mistake I see over and over. I’ve watched many bands have one show where they draw 100 or so people for the first time, and they get excited and start booking lots of shows in that market which gives fans the impression they can see them any time. That will kill the demand for that band’s shows. Don’t forget that people have a lot of options of things they can do at night, so try to make each play in a market an event. Make it special. It’s true that you need to play to get exposure, but booking is a reciprocal relationship, and in order for me to want to put a band on a great exposure situation, that band must bring something to the table. When I look in the Village Voice for example and see a band’s name in several club’s ads in the same time frame, I usually stay clear of that band. On that note, be very clear with the person you’re booking with about the other shows you’re playing in that market. You won’t make any friends in the booking world by withholding that information.

The Crimson Moon Cafe, Dana Marie LaChance, Dahlonega, GA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Check out the venue’s web site to be sure you ‘fit’ the place re: music type, stage size, ticket prices, room size, etc. before wasting any one’s time on things that won’t work/fit.
2. Use the following format in the subject line of e-mail inquiries: Name of Band/Artist + re: booking + dates/time frame. Put all the ‘credit’s you can find in your first or second paragraph – this is what we look for when we don’t know the artist!
3. Keep e-mailing and calling – but not more than once a week. Squeaky wheels get greased, but screeching ones get tossed aside ‘cuz they’re driving you crazy!
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don’t contact well established venues for a co-bill or headliner slot if you do not have a web site and/or myspace site from which they can hear your music if not familiar. Sonic Bids EPK’s are wonderful!
2. Don’t make all involved go through the trouble of creating, editing, and/or signing a contract, rider, agreement, etc. if you are not going to read it and know all the details we’ve all agreed to before you plan when to arrive for the sound check!
3. Don’t send hard copy press kits if they are not requested – it wastes a lot of paper & time.

Department of Safety, Kevin Erickson, Anacortes, WA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Tell us how you heard about our venue and our town.
2. Be humane in communication, as opposed to professional. We are much more impressed by people being friendly and humble than we are by giant lists of all the bars you've played at or bands you've opened for.
3. Send a CD instead of a MySpace link. Or a vinyl LP if you really want to impress us.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't tell us about your energy drink sponsorship or your licensing deals with hip advertising agencies. These are signs that you are ruining independent music for everyone, and probably don't understand why our venue exists.
2. Don't get mad that we're having your marginally famous indie rock band open for a popular local high school band. This is how it works in small towns.
3. Don't make music that is sexist. Seriously! It's 2008! Why are people still doing this?

Dewey Beach Music Conference & Festival, Dewey Beach Popfest, northbeach, Rusty Rudder, Vikki Walls, Dewey Beach, DE
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Do make sure your bio is up to date and mention notable things your band has done, i.e. music on MTV/Film, showcased at such and such music conference, list well known venues that have booked you.
2. Do have a professional band photo taken. And please don't stand in front of a brick wall...or any wall for that matter.
3. Do follow up, but don't be a pain. Send electronic press kits (Sonicbids) when you can.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't send kits into very well-known or famous clubs/festivals until you are ready or at a level that you could be considered. If you are just starting out, and only play your local bar... Try and branch out with other bands, network and do trade off gigs. If an agent sees you never leave town, you might get overlooked very easily.
2. Don't reach out to a talent buyer without doing your homework first. Check out what type of music they book. Your genre might not fit their venue, so look at their website, see what they are booking and then decide if you would fit.
3. Don't let venues make you play for free. Get a guarantee, even if it's a small stipend. Get something.

The Doll Hut, Dirk Belling, Anaheim, CA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Do promote your show.
2. Do show up and play (preferably on time).
3. Do HAVE A MAILING LIST!
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't expect to put all your friends on the guest list - if they're your friends they'll support your band by paying to get in.
2. Don't suck.
3. Don't NOT HAVE A MAILING LIST!

Downtown Music & Records, Little Rock, AR
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Find/know some local bands in the area.
2. Be patient.
3. Book in advance but not so far ahead that communication is lost.

BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Never say you have a internet following.
2. Never ask for money if you are not a nationally recognized act... most venues will take care of you if you don't demand.
3. Don't demand anything or act like you are a blessing to the club if you are just starting out.

Flatlanders, Brenden Lynch, Lincolnshire, IL
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Show your talent at open Mics (like the one my venue hosts). I often book bands who show me something special.
2. Send press kits or links to MySpace pages but always include other venues you have recently played.
3. If you don't have a huge following start with the area your located out of. Why do I want an unknown original band from 3 states away?
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't hound us with phone calls. Some of us that book also run the club....emails work better.
2. Don't try to get into a venue that is not known for playing your style of music.
3. Don't show up at the club on a busy night and want to talk to the booking agent.

The Grog, Joey Newman, Newburyport, MA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Reply to as many as possible with either a yes or no. Ignoring them is an insult to the music business in general!
2. Be honest with the bands, it can only improve their craft.
3. Book smart, not recklessly. Know the music and the crowds that will come out to see them, and book according to the weekend. I.E. booking a fresh new band on the circuit with little experience won't work on say July 4th, or Memorial weekend. Help them out by putting them in on a weekend that you know people will come out, or else prepare for a loss in profit.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't be cruel, these kids are just trying out their wings.
2. Don't Double Book!
3. Don't make your mistakes theirs! I.E. Double booking, not advertising, over-quoting, or poor research in finding good quality music!

Javalinas, Bonnie Vining, Tuscon, AZ
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Send a URL so the venue owner can listen to your music.
2. Offer to send posters and help out with publicity. One musician even sent a case of coffee sleeves (Java Jackets) with his band's logo on one side and information about his upcoming show at my shop on the other. Contact the local community radio station and ask them to play your CD's in the weeks leading up to the show. Line up an interview on the radio if you can.
3. Team up with a popular local artist who plays a similar style of music, and preferably have that person contact the venue owner about doing a show with you.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't lie about having a big following in the area.
2. Don't get angry and ream the venue owner who has explained her booking criteria (yes, it really happened!).
3. Don't take it personally if you don't get booked. I get contacted by hundreds of musicians every month, and I rarely book touring musicians because our locals draw a lot more people to my shop which is kind of out of the way. Ask for recommendations on other places to play.

Jimmy Z's, Ben Scott, Everett, WA
BOOKING DO'S
1. Have clear contact info and ANSWER your phones or E-mails in a timely fashion.
2. Be able to confirm or deny events within 24 hours of promoters request.
3. Be on time for load in and be courteous and cooperative with venue staff.
BOOKING DON'TS
1. WHINE ABOUT SLOT TIMES! (if your job is that important don't be in a band).
2. End the night with your hand out. promoters will pay you what they can but local music is not a big money industry you play for EXPOSURE.
3. Leave before the other bands perform. it is rude and you never know what contacts you lost out on gaining because you are sleepy.

The Khyber, North Star Bar, Justin, Philadelphia, PA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Myspace is a great tool in general for booking in finding clubs > and bands. But even more so in promotion. Booking a show doesn't end > with just solidifying a date.
2. Don't be afraid to ask for a show.
3. Constant communication with the promoters - well, I mean communication within reason, obviously. Maintain a solid line af communication so as not to run into any unexpected bumps in the road/lack of communication.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't try and run the show or tell the club/promoter how it is. Suggestions are good and welcome but at the end of the day, club limitations rule the roost.
2. Don't show up late to the show.
3. Don't expect others to do all of your promoting. Take responsibility for your commitment.
4. Unless you're on the road, don't show up without a guest list. This says you have no friends.

The Living Room, Jennifer Gilson, New York, NY
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Make sure the venue books the type of music you play.
2. Be honest about your draw - or you don't get rebooked.
3. Follow up in 3-4 weeks - not the next day.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't send huge files! They're a drag to download.
2. The bigger the packaging or cutesy gifts usually means bad music... keep it simple... or better yet - just send a link to your MySpace page - cheaper for you - easier for me.
3. Don't assume that if you can bring 100 people you'll be booked or because you're a songwriter applying to a songwriter club you'll be booked. Each booking person has their own taste and may not be into what you're doing. There are lots of clubs!

Matt Murphy's Pub, Jason Waddleton, Brookline, MA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Make your first impression a very good one. Provide EVERYTHING in a concise manner. 25 word blurb, 72 dpi 4x6 jpeg. Links. Mp3. Promise to bring a crowd (and follow through or be seen to try), a poster with the venue name on it and a future date.
2. Take a hint. If you are not getting a reply there is a reason for it.
3. Take a hint. If you are not getting a reply there is a reason for it. BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't contact the booker by phone.
2. Don't keep contacting the booker after you have been ignored.
3. Don't try and play a venue you have not researched.

MilkBoy, Tommy Joyner,
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Use an EPK from Unlabel, MySpace or Sonicbids.
2. Follow up repeatedly by email, and include the entire thread of your correspondence in your replies, it will speed up a response.
3. Work your home market and make each show unique to build your draw and your story!
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't ‘scattershot’ your booking queries. do your research and target the clubs you want to play.
2. Don't overbook yourself in your home market. leave space between shows to ensure your draw and build a great story.
3. Don't take it personally! keep your cool if you’re not getting a response and be professional. bookers get more than 50 queries a day and we have our choice about who we get back to. whining and hostility will get you moved to the bottom of the pile, even if your group is great.

The Mr. Roboto Project, Pittsburgh, PA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Describe your band CORRECTLY. Too many bands either don't describe themselves, or compare themselves to 8 different genres, none of which they sound like. Your band does not sound like Blag Flag meets Fugazi.
2. Tell me the date you want to play. "Hey, we need a show. Later," goes right in the trash box.
3. Write a reasonable sounding email. If you're mature enough to go on tour, you're mature enough to use punctuation, and understand how you email will format. I'm not going to fight through something that reads like a drunken text message.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't include some big dumbass PR kit attachment. If someone likes the way your band sounds, they'll contact you. I don't need a 14 page flash PowerPoint on why your bar rock band will promote well via their street team.
2. Don't have a webpage or MySpace page with so much flash and crap that I can't figure out who you are or what you sound like.
3. Don't request a giant guarantee for your highschool emo-pop band that has never played out of state. I'm glad you have ambitions of living the life you heard about in your favorite Nickelback song, but people aren't going to pay $10 to see a bunch of kids that would have picked on them in High School. Your faux mohawk thing is fucking dumb.

The National Underground, Michelle Fantus, New York, NY
BOOKING DO'S:
1. DO contact by email rather by phone.
2. DO provide a link to your music or mp3s.
3. DO state dates of interest and as many details as possible in the first email.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. DON'T add me to your email blast list.
2. DON'T inquire about playing at the venue until you visit our website.
3. DON'T play email tag if it can be avoided.

Newby's, Todd Adams, Nashville, TN
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Have a MySpace link.
2. Include input from other clubs / manager contacts with your new contact for clubs.
3. Have a positive attitude and a be willing to build your act with new cities / venues, be loyal to the place you start! they gave you a foot in the door, don't leave them hanging or one day the door might not be open for future up and coming acts, have posters or at least ad mats, do have a member of your group sign up customers on an e-mail list at all your shows even one is better than no contacts, the next time your back in the new city, you will have more fans! at least a better shot of having more fans!
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't give up!
2. Don't get drunk before the gig.
3. Don't play too loud, listen to the house engineer / staff, if they recommend you to turn it down, do so! they know the house customers / fans better than you do! they are there 7 nights a week, your there for one night! and might not be asked to come back if your not easy to work with!

Peri's Silver Dollar, Mike McShea, Fairfax, CA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Provide representative samples of your band playing. Live and crappy sound quality is actually better than slickly produced studio recording. If the instrumentation on the demo is different than the instrumentation you intend to bring, tell me up front, right away.
2. Provide contact info on the demo CD or tape, along with band name. An email address is almost essential these days. Many demos are burned on one of the band member's computer, which ends up in my pile. If there's no name, band name, number, email on the demo, it becomes a coaster.
3. Respond in a timely matter, within 48 hrs at the very most. Even if you aren't ready to accept an offer, it's better for me to know that now than wonder. When I don't hear from a band, I generally assume the band isn't interested anymore.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't act like you're doing me a favor. I'm booking you. If I say yes, it's because I think it's a good business decision. I have had the pleasure of dealing with very successful musicians who are out right sweethearts. They thank me for my time and consideration, when in fact, on some levels they are doing me a favor by contacting me for a gig. But you wouldn't know it by how they treat me. I've dealt with complete unknowns who were so unpleasant I wondered why I was still in this business. You may be the most popular band in the area, but you're only going to play here at most, once a month. That means 27 to 30 other bands are going to play here the rest of the time. If I don't book you, I may not have the best night possible, but it most likely won't be a serious problem. And I won't have to deal with your attitude, which in my mind is a good thing.
2. Don't contact me in a fashion I specifically ask you not to. My personal style is email, and I want bands to email me often, so I keep them in mind. In my world, that leads to more, better gigs at my place. Then there's the bands that instead of emailing, they phone me, or stop me in the club and want to talk. Then they wonder why they don't get as many gigs as other bands. Then there's the bands that contact me every 6 months. Well, in 6 months, they've completely fallen off my radar. I also play in bands, and I deal with other bookers. If a booker says he would like me to phone him on Thu, I do. If he wants me to email him once, I do, if he wants me to pester him, I do. I adapt to the style of the booker, not expect him to adapt to me.
3. Don't book a show with me if you know you have a show within a week either way within a 20 minute drive, and conversely, don't book a show within a 20 minute drive if you have one with me in the same week before and after period. It always amazes me that bands don't know this. I've booked bands on a Friday, when we have a cover charge, who booked with a club down the street, or in a close neighborhood, on a weeknight before our gig with no cover. They think this is a good way to promote their show. It isn't. Many people will come to only one of those two shows in one week. Many of them will choose the free one over the cover charge one. Heck, even if both shows have a cover, many people will only come to one show in a week. You're diluting your crowd, which I will take into consideration the next time we are talking about booking you here.

Phil Brady's Bar and Grill, Johnny Palazzotto, Baton Rouge, LA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Assist the employer, club & promoter in every way possible - i.e. publicity & interviews.
2. Make sure your best interests are covered in the contract agreement.
3. Be on time.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't mis-represent your act.
2. Don't be cocky or a smart-aleck to your audience, staff, etc.
3. Don't over-estimate your ability or capability to draw a crowd.

Red Stone Room/River Music Experience/River Roots Live Music Festival, Santo Pullella, Davenport, IA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Put every detail in contract.
2. All contact info of both signing parties.
3. Assure that corporate signatory IS who signs contract.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don’t assume ANYTHING.
2. Don't be lazy.
3. Don’t forget to advance all contract details with venue contact.

Rongovian Embassy, Mike Barry, Trumansburg, NY
BOOKING DO'S:
1. DO include phone numbers.
2. DO give us headline info that gives us a snapshot of your EPK.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. DON'T bug us more than needed (once when confirming/promo plan, once when advancing).
2. DON'T use us as leverage to book at competing venues.

Rumors Night Club, Enola, PA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Research the venue your emailing first.
2. Send a personalized and professional email.
3. PROMOTE YOUR BAND'S PERFORMANCE, i.e. Don't be lazy.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Do not send long emails.
2. Do not send unsolicited materials. Call first.
3. Do not send poor recordings.

Safari Sam's, Sam Lanni, Hollywood, CA
BOOKING DO'S: (FOR BOOKERS)
1. Only book acts you understand and your venue will be able to promote.
2. Support your local music scene by putting local bands with national acts.
3. Follow your instincts on a show. Sometimes you just have to trust yourself. Mistakes are always made in booking acts but it's what makes this job interesting.
BOOKING DON'TS: (FOR BOOKERS)
1. Don't let your love of a band cloud your decision to forget the bottom line. This will lead to disaster.
2. Don't let an agent over state an acts potential in your city.
3. Do not - Do not - overpay for an act.

The Santa Fe Brewing Company Pub & Grill, Justin Young, Santa Fe, NM
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Send cd to play in venue or car.
2. Only e-mail or mail about availiblity, no phone calls to venue.
3. Make personal contact with media.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't have something other than band and date on subject line of e-mail.
2. Don't call venue to talk about booking.
3. Don't expect someone else to find your fans.

Temple Bar, Dexter Story, Santa Monica, CA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Help segue the night by acknowledging the bands before and after you.
2. Thank the venue (on stage) for having you play even if your experience isn't great.
3. Read the entire contract (and don't assume anything).
4. Clean up after yourself and do "idiot" checks.
5. Avoid making excuses for dismal draw/take responsibility for lack of following.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't get irate at a booker for not returning an email.
2. Don't call a venue to be booked without knowing something about the venue you're calling.
3. Don't arrive late to your show.
4. Don't have big head syndrome (e.g. Don't put your worth above any other band or the booker himself).
5. Don't get drunk before your show.

The Texas Club, James West, Baton Rouge, LA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Research before the offer.
2. Promote after the offer.
3. See the show through the end.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't forget about the details.
2. Don't forget about the customer.
3. Don't forget to pay your bills even if you lose.

Tuesday Tunes, Jess Herman, Shamokin, PA
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Send detailed booking requests, including band name, date(s) & other bands on the tour.
2. Always include a link to your music via an EPK, MySpace, or PureVolume.
3. Provide contact information for venues/promoters to reach you, not just an e-mail address or MySpace.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't send multiple messages to the same venue. We get enough as it is.
2. Don't ask for a show without having any music (even a demo) that the venue/promoter can listen to.
3. Don't cancel last minute without a valid excuse (van braking down, singer is in the hospital...these are understandable reasons).

Water St. Music Hall/Club at Water St., Rochester, NY
For Agents
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Research the band's history on tour and in town.
2. Track what's playing in your marketplace so you are not battling someone elses show of the same type on the same range of dates.
3. Check to see if there's any radio play and webhits, and CD sales in your area.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Don't book the band because you like them if you are not sure it will sell.
2. Don't pay a lot for a band with no history in town. Back end the deal if it sells.
3. Don't put openers on if they can not sell tickets.
For Artists:
BOOKING DO'S:
1. If you are touring, try reading a book on it, like Tour:Smart. Great info and a good bible.
2. The good club owners want you to pester them. It means you will try harder to bring more people in. Tenacity is key.
3. Street team, street team and more street teams.
4. Do trade offs with bands with the same audience so you can pick up on their crowd and them yours. Fastest way to build.

Wicked Willy's, Christina LaRocca, New York, NY
BOOKING DO'S:
1. Always remember you are dealing with a human being. Treat the person you are contacting like one.
2. Show some personality. Be funny, clever or cute but stay professional.
3. Be honest about your draw. You are putting the agent's job on the line as well as your reputation. Nothing is worse than booking a band because you are confident they will bring 50 and then show up with 10 friends.
BOOKING DON'TS:
1. Do NOT email a booking agent with the following: "Yo, my band is awesome, you should book us." Not gonna happen, kid.
2. Don't make the email too busy or long. Short, sweet & to the point is the way to go.
3. Do not call unless asked to or it is an emergency. Email is the way to go. If they are unresponsive, then call (and email anyway).

WorkPlay,Todd Coder, Birmingham, AL
BOOKING DO'S: (FOR BOOKERS)
1. Focus on the market; not nationally.
2. Pay attention to what is going on around you (holidays, other venue’s bookings, etc.).
3. Be smart and do your research!
BOOKING DON'TS: (FOR BOOKERS)
1. Do not book with your heart. What you like, others might not.
2. Do not over price your ticket. Allow only what the market will bear.
3. Don’t be pushed into booking something that you know nothing about. Again, do YOUR research.