Organizing gigs can be a juggling act, especially when coordinating with multiple musicians. I’ve always valued the personal touch of directly reaching out to fellow artists, but I’ve encountered many challenges that have led me to reconsider this approach.

For instance, there was a recent gig I organized three months in advance. Despite the lead time, the first few musicians I contacted were already booked. This recurring stress grows with each gig, and waiting for replies is a delicate balance.

Once, I reached out to a conga player for a gig only 19 days away, and it took him 5 days to tell me he couldn’t make it. I didn’t know it would take him that long, and I had to decide when to approach someone else without showing any disrespect to him, which was a stressful situation to be in.

The worst is when musicians say, “I’ll get back to you.” Over the years, I’ve found that the only way to handle this is to ask, “How about I give you until such-and-such day and time?” Instead of saying thank you, the musician typically doesn’t reply by the proposed timeframe.  It always seems a bit disrespectful to me even if they didn’t mean intend it that way.

Once, I called a musician who seemed resentful for the interruption, saying, “This is my bill-paying time.” It made me never want to call that person again, but he later thanked me for the referral. This can be very confusing.

Even more telling was the musician who didn’t respond to a brunch gig offer because he incorrectly assumed it was for a low-paying wedding. After waiting several days, I called him. The waiting time and the conversation were extra stress I didn’t deserve.

These situations have shown me the need for a more structured and efficient way to handle bookings.  Mix-ups like these could have been avoided with clearer communication channels like those provided by Booklive.  The app also helps keep track of all communications and responses, clearing up any misunderstandings and ensuring everyone’s on the same page. It’s a way to respect everyone’s time and professional commitments.

I know this might feel less personal than a phone call, and I understand if it seems a bit too business-like. However, this change ensures that I can continue to provide as many quality gig opportunities as possible without added stress and potential misunderstandings.

I truly appreciate the music and passion each musician brings to the table, including yours. This move to using Booklive is in no way a step back from valuing what every musician offers; rather, it’s a step towards respecting and optimizing our time and commitments even more.

Thanks for understanding, and I hope we can play some great gigs together soon!

Warm regards,

Dennis