Fair Pay To Play Thoughts

[Probable Cause]

Like Dave Kahl, I remember the days when you practiced with your band
twice a week and spent the rest of your "free time" in the woodshed.
On the weekends you did a kick-ass show and got paid a reasonable fee
for it! I also remember the price of a drink going up by a buck or 2
once the band started.

We need to really emphasize the benefits to the club owner of becoming
a 'Fair Pay to Play' club.

I heard a lot about this being a public relations campaign on Sunday.
It is not just a public relations campaign, it is an intense sales
campaign as well. You are not going to be able to go in and just tell
a club owner about the program and expect him to get all warm and
fuzzy over it. This concept must be properly sold.

Like insurance or a new car, the club owner needs to be sold on the
idea. He needs to be shown the features and benefits to joining. And,
not just joining at the lowest possible tier. It is always going to be
in the clubs best interest to be in the highest tier they can
reasonably afford. If for no other reason, the AFM99 'Fair Pay to
Play' sign on his front window tells his patrons the level / quality
of the music they can expect in his venue. If he is displaying one
star on his sign, he is telling his patrons 2 things, 1) I
consistently have crappy music in here and 2) I don't believe
my patrons are worth better music.

[Pdx Music Alliance]

Man, I know I haven't been able to be a really active participant here,
but I am sure thankful for your efforts. This thing CAN be turned
around. If I were a venue owner, I would RUN not walk, to get one of
those signs to hang on my window. It may take a little while for it to
catch on, but it will eventually catch on.

Thanks, you guys.