how to make OMB into a show

[ekurburski]

I have done the OMB setup in one way or another since starting out with organ and side piano in the 70's.  I have constantly been aware that there is little that can be done visually to create more of a show.  Seems we all set in the corner with our keyboards and play an hour set and call it a show.  So the question is, what do the rest of you do to add "show" to your act?  Do you use lights, video backdrops, fireworks?   Obviously adding more people to the show, with dancers and backup singers but what do you do by yourself?  One of the things I always tried to do was to pace the tunes so that it built in intensity to the final tune.  Not always easy to do but I would try.

[travlin-easy]

There are lots of things you can do. First and foremost, consider some neat lighting. It's inexpensive and goes a long way.

Next, you can go wireless and walk through the audience singing to the ladies to a midi file. They love it!

Dress for the occasion. When I was still working, I always wore black slacks, a brightly colored satin shirt with a matching tie, cuff links, tie chain, and an embroidered, silk vest. This makes a huge difference.

Maintain eye contact with the audience. I am always amazed at the number of performers I've seen that simply go through the motions for an hour and walk out the door. A good entertainer is constantly communicating with his or her audience. Eye contact, body movement, etc..., are all important aspects of being an entertainer.

Schmooze with the audience, both before and after a performance. Get to know them on a first name basis. You will find them waiting for you to walk in the door when you arrive at the venue.

Personally, I do not recommend hiring other singers or musicians. This not only cuts your paycheck by a big chunk, but it can also take some of the limelight away from you, which is the last thing an OMB entertainer wants to do.

Hope this helps,

Gary

[ekurburski]

Some good ideas there Gary.  Thank you for replying.  I had hoped for more input on this topic as I thought most performers would be interested in how to make there show more appealing.  I agree with you concerning hiring other people and thereby decreasing the pay. The real reason I don't want to add people is I don't want the hassle of working with others,  I've had groups and did 20 years in the Army Band system and I always was happiest just working by myself.

I am curious Gary, when booking the nursing homes, how often would you return the same home?  Also, what kind of a contract did you use?

[travlin-easy]

Most of the nursing homes, assisted living centers, adult day care centers and retirement communities were monthly jobs, though I had a half dozen that were twice monthly. They were all booked a year in advance, usually during the month of October. I booked them in person, handed them a new, Travlin' Easy calendar, and a new Travlin' Easy pen. They filled in the dates they wanted me to perform, both on my calendar and theirs. It was that easy. I performed at 52 locations each month, so there were doubles every week, and an occasional triple. The schedule was hectic at times, but I loved being on stage in front of a crowd of enthusiastic people.

All of my advertising was direct mail. I created a mailing list by going on the Internet and doing a Google search of all the nursing homes, adult day care centers, assisted living centers and retirement communities. I printed out the list, which included the address and phone numbers, then called each one of them and asked about their size and the name of their activities director. After compiling the completed list, I mailed out an advertising package that cost me about $2 to make, plus postage. The package consisted of a cover letter, a photo of myself during a performance, song list with about 600 songs, CD with a dozen songs from the late 1940s to the early 1980s and contact information.

After mailing all the packages out, I usually waited about 10 days, then began making telephone calls to the AD to make sure they got the package, and if they said no, I would offer to deliver it in person, which often resulted in booking a couple jobs right off the bat. If they did receive the package, I then tried to set up an appointment with the AD to book future jobs.

In some instances, I offered to perform a 30 minute job at half price, a paid audition so to speak. That always went over quite well, and I usually booked out the remainder of the year and all of the following year right then and there.

Over the years, I only had problems with 2 ADs, both of which didn't last very long at the job. In both instances, there was a money issue in which they said they could not pay my fee of $125 per hour. This, despite the fact that I had already confirmed that fee and booked the dates with the previous ADs, both of which whom had retired. After they were fired, the new ADs called and booked me for the entire year at my regular fee.

Those of us who have been very successful in this business look at ourselves as entertainers - NOT MUSICIANS. The audiences are there to be entertained. They can listen to any music they wish on their CD players and cable TV. They come to us for entertainment, which is why this is called "Show Business." Great musicians are a dime a dozen throughout most of the world. The vast majority of them do not make a living as a musician. Great entertainers,  on the other hand, which are hard to find, usually do make their full time living on stage.

Hope this helps,

Gary

[ekurburski]

Thanks again Gary.  Lots of good info there. 

[Toril S]

I am interested in this, Earl, but started my own thread, as my needs are a little different. But my goal is the same as yours, to catch the interest of the audience, how do we do that?

[travlin-easy]

Toril, I have heard many of your submissions to the forum. You are an excellent musician, however, in order to make a living in this business you must first become an entertainer. I know you have a vision problem, and I too am now suffering from Macular Degeneration, which will soon leave me blind. But as long as I have an audience in front of me, even if I cannot clearly see them, I will be an entertainer.

Good luck,

Gary 

[Toril S]

You are the best of entertainers Gary! My main problem is that I hold back from singing. Thanks for the nice words about my music!😀

[ekurburski]

Gary, you mention some neat lighting.  What would yo suggest that would be both neat and easy enough for one old man to set up and tear down.

[travlin-easy]

Earl, I used a Bob The Flame very successfully for more than a decade. It was one of those things that drew your eyes to the stage and it looked very realistic, so realistic that people would often come up and hold their hand near the fake flame to see if it was hot. I set my Bob The Flame up on a flower pot stand that I bought at Home Depot for $12.

This is made by Chauvet, who is the largest manufacturer of stage lighting products in the world.

https://www.amazon.com/CHAUVET-DJ-Simulated-Flame-Effect/dp/B002OJBWLQ

Good luck,

Gary.