PUT THE “JAM” BACK IN “JAM NIGHT”
Surely, I am not the only one in the clubs who find most “jam nights” to be sorely lacking? Yeah, I’ve heard the same old sob story from this club manager and that club manager –– “Musicians just don’t support jam nights at our club!” My response to that, in a word –– Bullshit! Real musicians love to play, so like Kevin Costner’s baseball field in “Fields Of Dreams,” build a good “jam night” and they will come! It is disheartening to go to designated “jam nights” and witness time and time again, bands coming down and playing sans pay because they are rightfully expecting someone from the club with authority to be there. Most clubs tell bands who call looking for gigs to –– “Come down on ‘Jam Night’ and audition if you want a gig here!” –– yet after they have given away what amounts to a “free sample”, they are told the owner or manager was not there. When a club invites or advises an artist to come and showcase on a “jam night,” they should have the decency to be there to witness the performances and to be there to speak with the artists about booking an engagement. Sadly, there is usually nobody from the club, save the frazzled bartender, present to catch the action presented on the stage. Sure, the band may leave with a few new fans, but they still are without a gig. It would be nice for the club owners who bemoan the fact –– “Jam Nights just don’t work for us!” –– to actually take enough interest in setting up and operating a “jam night” or “open stage night” properly. Do it the old school way, where there is more than some “host band” on stage killing time in between calling up their buddies to sit in. Here’s a few ideas from someone who was there in the old days when “jam nights” were really about jamming and “audition nights” were really about auditioning and “open stages” really were open to all who had the nerve to step up and make some noise. IDEA #1 : Get back to the notion of what a “jam night” is supposed to be –– a chance for musicians to have fun, share their love of music and network together. It should be a structured situation, certainly, and it will be if it is hosted by someone who really knows how to host such an event. That host, needs to be fair, and needs to be as musically versatile as possible. Want to see a great jam night – hit LaRosa’s Pizzeria in Hammond, Indiana some Sunday night when they open their stage to all ages of musicians, of all styles and genres –– from blues to metal to what have you. Or stop out at Tommy’s Place in Blue Island, Illinois some Tuesday night and watch stage hosts Ray “The Flame” Sucash and Stan Serna in action. A lot of players get up through the course of the night and there is a lot of great entertainment value to boot! Most everyone leaves happy from these two “jam nights”, the jammers and the patrons. Get rid of the “host bands” you pay with free beer and who to hog the stage all night and/or only call up musicians who are in their personal circle of friends. That is NOT what “jam nights” are about. Hire some real hosts to run your night in a fair and orderly fashion. IDEA #2 : Owners/Managers need to be there in person to meet and greet every musician who comes out to support their venue on a designated “jam night”. They need to take the time and have enough respect for these artists who make it possible for most of them to keep their business doors open, to actually be there to watch the bands and hear the music. They should have a booth or table set up where they have a good view of the stage and where artists looking to book gigs can personally hand them a publicity kit after getting off stage, where they have just given the owner what amounts to a “free sample” of their show. “Jam Nights” can work and can be a valuable source for musicians, and a damn good time. But they have to be done right and run right. Club owners... please try looking at your ‘jam night’ as more than just a “free entertainment/low overhead night” and “jam on it!” | |||||||
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