Sorry to be the bearer…

“Hey guys, I didn’t get to catch any of your show tonight… and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we simply can’t have shows like that. I like your sound, and I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but at the end of the day we need heads in the door. You guys need to concentrate on getting the word out, pushing shows on social media to make sure we get people in here.”

Here’s to all the bands out there who spend 14 hours on one show for a single meal and enough gas money to get home. To all the bands who spend countless hours writing, practicing, rehearsing, arguing and starting over in the pursuit of music they are passionate about. To all the musicians who break down, put up, beat down and break down gear until the sun comes up in the hopes that someone, somewhere will enjoy their art. To all the impossible schedules, backstage fights, scorching lights, ringing ears, social media posts and equipment failures that go into every show.

And here’s to the event promoters who get it. Those who work their tails off to push an event and build an audience at their venue for nothing more than the love of the art. To the passionate promoters who work tirelessly to match an audience with acts they may enjoy. Here’s to the unmitigated passion of music discovery. Here’s to the superhuman booking agents who need only one conversation to make a show happen on schedule. To the venues who host and work as a team. To the sound engineer who thanklessly runs cables, IEM’s, stage and FOH for demanding and difficult artists. To the wait and bar staff that serve inebriated jerks and receive tips and attitudes as payment. And finally…

Here’s to the fans who travel to show a local band support