How do young/new performers get gigs?
- Friend
recommendations to musicians/dance organizers
- Friends with
musicians/callers
- Do guest calling
spots or sit in with experienced band
- Find a mentor
- Callers/musician
networks so they can swap gigs
- Networking at
breaks/festivals
- Play or call at
small, “struggling” dances – to get experience and let people
see that you know what you’re doing
- Email/call every
organizer you can. Cold call. Introduce yourself.
- Start your own
dance
- Take workshops
to network with other callers or musicians
- Join discussion
groups/online communities
- Book a tour For
yourself in a region where people don’t know you – if you email
and say you’re a caller/band on tour they’re likely to book you, but
make sure you’re good enough to get asked back
- Get dances from
experienced callers at dance weekends – word circulates, and people
you don’t know will start approaching you and going, “so, I hear
that you call, and there’s this opportunity…”
- Open band once a
month where some experienced musicians get paid to teach new
musicians how to build tunes and drive a dance. Then organizers can
consult with open band leaders about who is ready to get booked
- And call at open
mic nights
- Separate open
band and open caller times to help things go more smoothly