Saturday, May 25, 2013

What exactly is Pay to Play?

Promoters are often shady and take advantage of artists.  I have pointed this out in several blogs on here.  But not all promoters are snakes.  Not all promoters want to screw the artists over.  The one thing all promoters have in common is they invest their own money into booking shows.  They have to pay for artist travel, hotel, riders, venue cost, ticket cost, promotional materials, and much more.  This can be a very expensive venture and a promoter wanting to protect themselves so they do not continue to hemorrhage money hosting shows should be acceptable.  At the same time not every artist is shady.  They all don't want to get on shows for free, be allowed to not sell any tickets or get fans in the door, or have nothing invested in the shows they do.  This blog is here to clear up my thoughts on show promotion and how in the end everyone can make money and be happy.

One of the most popular and shady promoter tactics is called Pay to Play.  I recently started planning a
show here in Tucson and was accused of this tactic.  So this blog is my response to this accusation and hopefully a better understanding of what the term means and why what I do is not pay to play.

  The most simple explanation is this, paying to play is where artists pay the promoter a certain amount of money to secure a spot on the show.  That money gets the artist nothing in return except a 10-20 min slot on the show.  The artist gives the promoter the cash and gets no money in return.  Quite simply they "Pay to Play."  The biggest problem with this is that most promoter that do this do not care about the show.  They only care about the money.  They will book 10-15 openers at $150-200 per opener and essentially make their money off of the artist.  They don't care about getting fans in the door or "Promoting" the show.  To them their money is made off the openers.  This leads to minimal crowds for the headliners and really poor performances.  By doing this these promoters ruin tours and shows for everyone.  All the benefits are on the promoters side.

  Another tactic promoters use is having openers sell tickets to secure the spot.  They will consign the openers a certain number of tickets (25-50 usually) and have them give them the money from the sales the day of the show.  This is a perfect scenario for the artist.  They get the tickets and are expected to sell them to secure the spot.  There are three major problems with this.  First all of the money from those sales is expected to be handed over to the promoter the day of the show.  So the artist once again makes no money.  It becomes a pay to play scenario which brings in fans by the artists hustling ticket instead of the promoter.  These shows have a better turn out because of this but the artist is still without payment.  The second problem is in the fact that the artists don't have to sell the tickets, they simply have to give the promoter the cash the day of the show.  So this still allows for artists with minimal skills or hustle to get onto shows and not have to bring one person in the door.  And finally if the artists do not sell tickets and show up with no money the promoter is really assed out and either has to let them perform or have a huge hole in their lineup.  The benefits work more in the artists benefit here but still leave the financial benefit in the promoters hands.

  The final way of promoting and booking a show is what I prefer.  I ask the artists put a deposit on the tickets I ask them to sell.  In this case I am asking the artist "buy" 25 tickets from me for $6 per ticket.  This means when they pick up the tickets I receive $150.  After they have the tickets they are allowed to sell them for $8 per ticket and keep all of the money from the sales, this is $200.  So by selling the 25 tickets required they make $50 in the end.  After the 25 tickets I sell them tickets at $4 per ticket and they sell them for $8 per ticket making $4 for every ticket they sell.  So lets do some simple math:

Artist buys 25 tickets at $6 per ticket-I (promoter) get $150
They sell them for $8 per ticket- They (Artist) get $200.  A $50 profit in their pocket.
Lets say they sell another 25.  They purchase them from me for $4/ticket- I get another $100.
They sell those for $8/ticket.  They get $200.  Another $100 in profit.

So as you can see in this scenario I as the promoter am able to protect my investment in the show, the artists has a chance to make some good money with their hustle in ticket sales, and the fans are brought to the show because of the sales.  This is the closest thing to a win-win in the business.  The artist does take risk in the ticket deposit but that is mitigated when they sell the tickets.  I as the promoter take a risk someone will "pay to play" and not bring anyone in the door but that is mitigated by the fact the artists have an opportunity to make money.  I don't know anyone in their right mind knowing they can sell 25 tickets that wouldn't take the risk in the deposit to make $50 or more. 

No situation is perfect and all can be abused.  But I can promise any artist I work with an honest and fair deal that can be mutually beneficial.  I can also promise that any artist on my shows that "pay to play" will never be asked to do any of my shows again.  I am willing to give anyone a chance until they burn me.  I want artists that are willing to put in as much effort as me in promoting, getting fans in the door, and putting on the best shows in Tucson. 

We need to start being fair and helping each other make money.  We need to get away from the me first attitude.  The what are you going to do for me while I do nothing for you mentality.  I would love to get your thoughts and opinions so feel free to let me know!

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Wicked Butterfly Update!

So the past few months I have posted a lot of things on this blog but today I am here to give a little update on Wicked Butterfly Entertainment and what we have going on, so here we go:

  Black Project officially has a demo out in the public space.  It contains five tracks from our upcoming album and is pure fire!  This demo has two collabs on it that are absolutely the best of the best.  The first is "Lay my body to rest" it features both Bukshot (Underground Avengers, Mobstyle Records) and T-Razor (Underground Avengers).  This track took us several months to get together but it is one of the best things we have ever done.  The second collab is with a guy named Stacc Styles of Cultivate Creative Sound.  It is called "Wrote this letter" and shows a softer more deep side of Black Project.  The demo is rounded out by "Darkest Place", "Dig ya Grave", and "Never make it out".  If you are in Tucson or Amarillo hit up our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Project/479855342036749?fref=ts leave a message and we will hook you up for just $5. 

  Black Project has two shows coming up on the nationwide "Eerly Birds Tour" with J Hornay & Cultivate Creative Sound.  The first is in Albuquerque, NM on June 8 @ Blackwater.  The second is in Tucson, AZ on June 12 @ The Rialto.  These shows are not to be missed!

  Finally Black Project has been steady in the studio finishing off more tracks for the "Highly Classified" Album.  We are hoping to have at least 4 more tracks done before the Eerly Bird shows, if so you might just get to see them performed live at the shows.

  I have been busy working on a lot of concerts and scheduling with Unstable Promotions.  The big news is that July 7, 2013 former Strange Music artist Snug Brim is bringing his Arrogant Tour to Tucson, AZ!  You heard that right the show is 8 pm at DV8 on July 7, 2013.  It will be headlined by Snug Brim, Mr. Grey and Cultivate Creative Sound.  Tickets are just $8 presale and $10 at the door.  Cheap price for a great show and one that shouldn't be missed!

  At the end of July Unstable artist Jigsaw is going to be in Tucson for a show.  Details are still being worked out and I will give you an update as they get finalized.

  Wicked Butterfly Entertainment and West Coast Chill are teaming up to bring the new energy drink in a self cooling can into the market here in Tucson!  This can is awesome, it cools the drink 30 degrees in just 3 minutes!  We are also working on bringing West Coast Chill to the Gathering of the Juggalos so be on the lookout for that.  If you don't know about this energy drink hit up www.westcoastchill.com and see what it is all about!

Finally it has been my pleasure to continue to do reviews for www.faygoluvers.net.  Scottie D has kept putting his trust in me to give my honest straight forward opinion on the music he sends me and for that I am greatful.  I have had the pleasure of hearing a wide variety of good, bad, horrible, and great music and hope to continue into the distant future. 

With all that in mind here is my shout outs:

Scottie D- Much Love Homie.  Thank you for the trust and confidence in me.
Randy Forester aka 806 Outlaw- Been a year man and I couldn't be happier with what we have accomplished with Black Project.
Cecil Martinez aka Narkotix- The past year you havent made my job to easy but it has been an awesome ride.  Keep you feet to the fire homie and lets get this CD out this year!
Stacc Styles- Thank you for the love, support, and trust you have place in me for the past few months.  Your new solo album is going to be pure fire. Still wanna work that Heel Stacc "I'll pull your Bitch" album.
Crookyd- Road trips have been interesting to say the least!  Been a great time with you and all the guys from CCS.  Cant wait to get crackin on that solo project!
Bukshot- As one of the truest and most honest musicians I have ever worked with it is my pleasure to call you my friend.  I will get you out here for a show and we will bring that Mobstyle to Tucson!
Mars- People love you and people hate you man.  Been that way since day one.  I consider you my friend and have truely enjoyed working with you and hope we can do more together in the future.
Kung Fu Vampire- What can I say man you are doing big fangs!  No doubt you have earned everything you have gotten and have still managed to stay humble in this business.  I proudly say you are my friend and I am always here to help out.
Mr. Grey- Hopefully the beginning of big things man!  I have enjoyed your work and the times we have had to meet up or talk have been awesome.  I am here if you ever need anything homie.
Steven Natale- As Black Projects Producer and main mixer you have been awesome.  One of the best I have ever worked with and I definitely look forward to a long and hopefully prosperous future making hits!
Kristina (My Wife)- I would not be where I am without your support.  You have been there since day one in this music business.  I have made good decisions and bad decisions and you have always had my back.  I have no doubt with you in my corner I can make it in this cut throat business.  I love you and thank you for everything.

  Thats it for this post.  I know a lot of shout outs and love in this one.  But I feel truely blessed to be where I am and doing the things I am doing.  Keep your eyes peeled on the blog for more info on the album release and upcoming concerts.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus!