Author: Riley Wilson

The “A” Word – The Solo Gigger

The “A” Word – The Solo Gigger

Posted by | Oct 7, 2015 | , , |

Let’s discuss the one thing that will guarantee your success or failure. One word that makes the difference in being happy or miserable throughout your life. That word is Attitude. How’s yours today? If it’s not as chipper as you’d like, read on. I revisited a concert I saw back in the ‘80’s on YouTube yesterday. “Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe,”  4/5 of the prog group Yes. This show from 1989 is excellent, with bassist Jeff Berlin taking place of the late Chris Squire on this show. Watching Jon Anderson is a fine example of a great attitude. He seems...

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THE SOLO GIGGER- Doubles, Anyone?

THE SOLO GIGGER- Doubles, Anyone?

Posted by | Aug 24, 2015 | , , , , , |

It’s summertime and the gigging is easy. Well, maybe not every day or week, but if you’re developing your show and getting some recognition, you might be able to book two or more shows in a single day. I have booked four such doubles gigs this year, and hope to do a few more before the end of the year.  Here are some tips to help you keep your quality and sanity intact. First, examine the logistics carefully before agreeing to “double up.” I live in North Texas, just outside Dallas, so that gives me a large metropolitan area...

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Gig Travel – The Solo Gigger

Gig Travel – The Solo Gigger

Posted by | Jul 1, 2015 | , , , |

How do you get to your shows? Planes, trains, automobiles, boats, bikes or on foot? There are many ways to get from point A to point B in 2015. Here are some important factors to keep in mind that will help you remain prompt, punctual, and professional. Most solo performers are traveling to their performances in their own cars trucks or SUV’s. There are a few inexpensive maintenance tasks you must stay on top of if you’re going to make it to the show on time. First, be diligent with your oil and filter changes. Keep track of how...

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Live Entertainment Economics – THE  SOLO GIGGER

Live Entertainment Economics – THE  SOLO GIGGER

Posted by | Jun 10, 2015 | , , |

I spoke with a client just last week who wanted to book me for a three hour private party. He had already seen my video on YouTube and liked what I did. This was his wife’s 50th birthday party and he wanted it to be memorable.  He then said, “ your price quote is a lot higher than I expected to pay.” Notice he didn’t say it was “too high.” I asked him what he hoped to spend. He had already spoken to a musician who would play guitar and sing at his pool party for $175. He then...

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The Importance of Tunnel Vision

Posted by | May 2, 2015 | , , , , |

When I was in grade school, we lived in Lexington, KY. Beautiful country and thanks to the proliferation of race horses, “(horse) flies as big as Buicks,” to quote Emmylou Harris. I remember first going to Keeneland, the quarter horse track in Lexington when I was about nine years old. It was exciting to see these large animals racing as hard as they could around the track. If you watch a race closely, you’ll notice the horses often have patches over their eyes when competing. This is so the horse, with eyes on both sides of his head, doesn’t get distracted and keeps focused on the job ahead. In this case, it’s winning a horse race. What has horse racing have to do with solo gigs? Plenty, as it turns out. A lot of work has to be done in private to become a successful musician in any genre or size ensemble. It takes a lot more work to become a good solo entertainer. Almost all of it is done by yourself. You need to give it 100% effort for an extended time to win any race or land any gig. To keep on winning races and landing gigs takes a tremendous amount of effort. It takes “tunnel vision.” Tunnel vision is like a prisoner trying to dig his way out of confinement. In case of a working solo...

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  • Young Engineer/Producer Josh Bellatti Finds Continued Success Working from His PhantomFocus MixRoom
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    Press Release – For Immediate Release Group One Ltd. Taps Lienau AV Associates Hammonton, New Jersey-based Lienau AV Associates has now become one of the latest independent manufacturers’ representative firms to join the Group One Limited network. Servicing four of the US distributor’s pro audio brands—DiGiCo, KLANG, XTA and MC2—the newly appointed company is reporting […]

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