The Touring Musician

The Touring Musician helps performers at all levels of experience to take control of their careers. Packed with practical information, this invaluable handbook guides musicians in applying sound business practices to band travel by evaluating assets, creating an action plan, researching, negotiating, and booking venues, arranging transportation and lodgings, managing personal and tour finances, and getting publicity. The Touring Musician includes: * Point-by-point advice about how to set up a small business * Eleven sample worksheets and checklists, in a ready-to-photocopy format, that will help keep you and your information organized * Samples of the major types of legal documents involved in booking a band * A step-by-step chapter showing you how to book and route a sample tour, including five calendars and five budgets * Plus solid advice about how to research your venue contacts, negotiate gigs and fees, manage your band finances, coordinate your promotional activities, and much, much more.

Written by pro musician, Ross Craib (dodie, Gabrielle Aplin), The Touring Musician's Survival Guide aims to educate younger, aspiring and existing musicians about the realities of a life on tour and in today's music industry; What to expect, to watch out for, to do, to learn; All with the aims of making them a more equipped and employable musicia

Explains how to enhance one's musical career by integrating live music, with practical advice, tips, tricks, and hints on every aspect of putting on a live show, essential equipment and technology, the practicalities of touring, the art of working behind the scenes, the future of live music, and other essential topics. Original. (Beginner).

From packing the right equipment to keeping enough gas in the tank to get home, every aspect of making a successful tour with a band is addressed in this comprehensive guide. More than 100 luminaries and leading organizations from the world of touring--among them Chris Connelly, Henry Rollins, the House of Blues, and the Vans Warped Tour, as well as club owners, tour managers, and even sex advisors--provide handy insider know-how along with insight on mistakes commonly made by novice bands. Chapters address the nitty-gritty of touring, with instructions on how to secure venues and publicity, how to stay healthy on the road, and how to keep the budget in the black. Loaded with hundreds of years' worth of collective hands-on experience from those steeped in the music business, this is a must-have resource for creating an unforgettable tour.

Want more gigs for your band?Looking for a fast-track to success?Seeking a career as a booking agent?This is the book you've been waiting for.Disclosed like never before, a real-life booking agent candidly reveals all in this step-by-step guidebook to the elusive world of booking agents, packed with actionable steps you can take today to get ahead of the competition -- including my '4-Point Plan to Get Signed'.Learn all the tactics, the thought process, shortcuts, and insider secrets that will enable you to take your music career to the next level and supercharge your journey to the top.PS, Don't tell your friends.____________Table of ContentsAuthor's NoteIntroductionPart 1: Understanding AgentsChapter 1: What is an Agent and What do They do?Chapter 2: What a Booking Agent Looks for in Potential New ArtistsChapter 3: Do I Need an Agent?Chapter 4: My 4-Point Plan to Get an AgentPart 2: How to Be Your Own Booking AgentChapter 5: Taking on the Role YourselfThings to Do Now 1:Chapter 6: Strategy and BookingThings to Do Now 2:Chapter 7: Deals and NegotiationChapter 8: Tour Announcements and On-SaleChapter 9: PR, Publicity Material/Artwork, and PromotionChapter 10. Preparing to Set Out on TourChapter 11: On The RoadChapter 12: After the Show and PaymentsChapter 13: Final ThoughtsAbout the AuthorThe Big GlossaryRecommended Resources

(Music Pro Guide Books & DVDs). Containing everything you ever wanted to know about being a musician on a tour with a signed recording group or performer, the Touring Musician's Handbook answers the questions every musician has about moving up to the big-time world of concerts, clubs, and live shows. Among the topics covered are: * how to become a touring musician * Getting a gig with a touring act * The kind of chops and gear needed * How the audition process works * Different types of tours and pay scales * What to expect in production rehearsals * How to prep for a tour * Proper tour etiquette * What to look for in a tech The book also looks into the unique challenges facing touring players according to their instruments, including drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals, percussion, horns, and strings. As a bonus, interviews with veteran touring musicians and techs provide an overview of touring with some of the biggest acts in the world. A DVD that covers tour preparation based on both personal and equipment needs accompanies the book.

Imagine being alongside one of the greatest bands in the history of rock, touring the world and being there as they perform at some of the best and biggest music venues in the world. Peter Hince didn't have to imagine: for more than a decade, he lived a life that other people can only dream of as he worked with Queen as head of their road crew. In 1973, Queen was the support act for Mott the Hoople, for whom Peter was a roadie. Back then, Queen had to content themselves with being second on the bill and the world had not yet woken up to the flamboyant talent of Freddie Mercury. Peter started working full time for Queen just as they were making A Night at the Opera, the album which catapulted them to international stardom. In this intimate and affectionate book, Peter recalls the highlights of his years with the band. He was with Freddie when he composed 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'; he was responsible for making sure that Freddie's stage performances went without a hitch - and was often there to witness his famed tantrums! He was also party to the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll which are invariably part of life on the road with a rock band.

"When David sat down later, he tucked one leg up under him and I noticed that the sole of his shoe was as clean as the day he’d bought it. OK, maybe the shoes were new, but it struck me that he hardly ever sets foot in the street. It’s all hotel, limousines, sterilized airports - the life I was about to lead. I shivered, feeling poised at the top of a rollercoaster about to sweep across the world." In 1978, Sean Mayes toured the world with David Bowie. Travelling first class and performing each night with one of the world’s greatest rock stars at the height of his fame was an amazing experience - fortunately, Sean had the foresight to document it. Here, for the first time in complete book form, Sean’s tour diary is presented; a blow by blow record of how it felt to be part of a real rock circus, from rehearsals in Dallas through shows across the US, UK, Europe, Australasia and Japan to recording in London and Switzerland. Providing page after page of fascinating insight into life on the road with Bowie, Sean’s account is a unique travelogue, a must for any Bowie fan or, indeed, anyone interested in life on a sell-out world tour. Also includes a full tour chronology and previously unpublished photos from Sean’s personal archive.