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How I ’ ve Kept a Busy Schedule as a Working Musician for 50 Years
By Steve Goldberger
Having done thousands of gigs as a bandleader and sideman for 50-plus years , young players often ask me , “ How do I get in a band ?” or , “ How do you stay so busy ?” The answer is simple but multi-faceted . Here are some tips that I have learned :
Network ! I ’ m sorry , but unless you are a proven , established , and in-demand band or player , you cannot just sit around and wait for the phone to ring . You ’ ve got to get out there and meet other players , promoters , producers , and venue owners .
If you are new to the scene , go out and check out your local bands . Introduce yourself to the band members and their friends . Let them know that you play , too , and that you are looking to meet other like-minded players . Exchange contact and social details . Follow up with your new friends every once in a while . See and be seen .
Many times , I ’ ve seen a solo or duo performer playing live and I ’ ve gone up to them and said , “ You really could use a bass player !” Often the response has been , “ Yeah , go get your bass !” and this simple introduction has led to many repeat gigs with those performers .
If you are a beginner or even a pro , go to open mics and jams . Show everyone what you ’ re about . Sit in with the other players . Sing your songs . Meet everyone and let ‘ em know that you ’ re available . Keep in touch with them . They are not going to call you unless they know you are there — ready , willing and able . And when you do get offered a gig , take it ! Don ’ t worry about the money or how good the band is . Just do it and get out there . Pay your dues !
Promote ! Unless you have a professional publicist working for you , you have to do it yourself . It couldn ’ t be easier these days with email and social media . I know that it ’ s not for everyone , but I love making posters . When I first started promoting my bands and shows , I would hand-draw a poster and , along with a short letter that included a list of upcoming shows and other band news , I would print them off and mail them to my mailing list of fans . Back in the ‘ 80s , pre-internet , I was spending several hundred dollars a month just on postage and printing ! Today , all you need is an email list and social media pages and it ’ s all free . But don ’ t get me wrong , I know it ’ s time consuming and hard finding the right balance between making sure people know what you ’ re up to but not pissing people off with your endless posts and messages .
When the pandemic hit , many of us faded away into silence . But others got online and created shows , concerts , podcasts , etc . They managed to keep themselves in their fans ’ hearts and minds . Now that things have opened up , it ’ s been difficult for some to get back on the scene . Personally , I lost my house gig that I had since 2003 so I began promoting and finding new venues for my own projects . I also wanted to get back working with other artists as a freelance bass player . Truthfully , it didn ’ t take much effort . I just sent out an email blast to many of the artists I ’ ve either worked with or just really admire , and let them know that I am available to play . Guess what ? The offers started to come in and now I ’ m really quite busy , happy , and feeling fulfilled with all the great and diverse music I get to play .
Yes , not everyone can do that ( without a proven track record ), but you can still get out there and meet players in-person and be willing to just get yourself known on the local scene .
Be A Pro , But Be Yourself Do your homework before the gig . Be the guy that shows up with respect for the bandleader , the other players , and the audience . If you ’ re feeling lousy , tired , or down , don ’ t share that with the others . Keep it to yourself . Show up with a positive attitude , on time , clean , and appropriately dressed . Help your bandmates with the gear and the sound , be agreeable , and keep a smile on your face . If you feel the band or the show is faltering , take the lead and boost your bandmates with some positive energy . Give it your all , every show . Play it like you mean it every time , no matter how busy or empty the venue might be . But don ’ t over play . Serve the song , the singer , and the other players .
I have found over the years that being true to yourself , as a player , is what is going to make you the musician that people want to work with . Don ’ t try be something you ’ re not ; however , at the same time , you need an open mind and a spirit of co-operation and collaboration . Do your best to get familiar with all genres of music , even if it ’ s music you ’ d never ever listen to on your own time . You ’ ve got to be a good “ all round ” player in as many styles as possible if you want to keep busy . It ’ s okay to be a specialist in a genre or two , but take it from me ( a player who does not have incredible virtuoso chops ), understanding what the intricacies and rules are for all different styles of music and finding how to make each style groove is what will keep you on the bandstand .
There ’ s a lot more to it , but these are just a few simple tips that may require some extra thought or effort , but have really served me well all these years .
Toronto-born and now Niagara , ON-based , Steve Goldberger has been a bandleader and freelance bass player / vocalist and recording producer since the early ‘ 70s .
www . stevegoldberger . com .
32 CANADIAN MUSICIAN