We spoke excitedly about the
wonderful ways in which musi-
cians’ lives have changed – if
they’ve been able to transition
to new ways of working with
new tools. It’s no secret that a
locally successful musician gets
paid far more playing private
events like weddings and bar
mitzvahs than working in clubs.
April’s Band of Gold is her main-
stay for now, as she raises her
two children.
Of all the positive changes that
have come about in managing
a band, and prospecting for cli-
ents, April said the showcase is
the most important.
“Years ago, we used to meet
people face to face in a public
venue I’d rent so as to perform
for them live. There was a lot of
time and expense involved in
setting it up and advertising the
showcase to attract the public
to come “audition” us for their
wedding or other private event.
NJ STAGE - ISSUE 46
The band would put out a full
day’s work for no pay, hoping
some people would book us
that day, or call me after they’ve
shopped around.
“Now we do private showcases
for groups of people already lik-
ing the band. Prospects are re-
ferrals and online leads…people
who have viewed our video on
BandofGoldMusic.com or on
social media. Seeing us live is so
much better than watching a vid-
eo; however, the video has been
the audition and the showcase
usually closes the sale. Also, in
the past, we talked with clients
on the phone. Today we email. ”
Before everyone had PCs, lap-
tops, smart phones, and social
media, a wedding bandleader
might get permission from a
current client to allow a pro-
spective client to peek in on
their affair to observe the band
at an actual wedding. It was
cheaper and less work than
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