15 Reasons To Play Cover Song Gigs

In Defense Of The Working Singer/ Songwriter
15 Reasons To Play Four Hour Cover Gigs

There seems to always be a debate between songwriters about playing "covers" (songs written by other songwriters) versus all "originals". I've read posts on Craigslist, forums, and Facebook calling us weekend warriors, sell outs, not true artists. Many of these people probably have day jobs that they dislike - I prefer to have many different streams of income all based around music.

One of these streams is playing between two and four club/ patio gigs or parties per week. As a solo performer, one can make an extra $500-1000 each week for less than 15 hours "work", or should I say, "play". Even if you have a day job, you can sstill play a few of these on weekends each month and use the extra cash to record your originals (or buy a new guitar!).

There are some great advantages to playing 3-4 hour long gigs and they won't hurt your reputation one bit. Here's 15 to get you going...

1. Usually paid - that's a pretty good incentive by itself, but some of these gigs pay very well!  Depending on the gig, you can also put out a tip jar and sometimes double the wage in tips. This one is so good it should be mentioned twice!
    
2. If you are good you'll get better higher paying gigs - this one really requires that you don't suck.  I find that if I approach and play cover songs with the same passion and intensity that I do my own music, then people feed off of your energy and attracts them to have you play their parties, corporate events, weddings and other types of gigs. These gigs pay very well, typically three times a club gig.
   
   
3. You get very good at your instrument - whatever it is you play, playing often will make you a better player. Playing other peoples songs also teaches you new chords, structures, and gives you song ideas. 
   
   
4. Songs get tight - the more you play the tunes, both in rehearsal and live, the tighter they will get - they will become more "your own". No one says you have to play the songs exactly.  Merge them into your overall style, and flavor them with your creative spices. 
   
   
5. You get to play for a lot of people - I often perform at restaurants, patios, and parties and over the course of four hours many people come and go. You have a potential new group of fans every time a new table sits down. Go get them.
   
   
6. You still get to play your originals - I'll often follow a popular song with an original that is in the same style or element. It is important to let the audience know the song is an original - if you have their attention, do so before the song. Otherwise, wait until the end and gauge the audience response. I often play 3 originals per set and sell my CD from the stage.
   
   
7. Get lots of practice talking to the audience - it's impossible to play for four hours and NOT talk to the audience. You have to talk. This is a great opportunity to try out stories, jokes, contests, etc. - interaction with the audience is the key. Note what works and what doesn't and build on that.
   
   
8. Hone your short set gig - all these hours of playing will help you hone in on your strengths and weaknesses... what songs work the best... what stories...  by the time you play a showcase you'll have plenty of experience.
   
   
9. Stronger connection with audience - I find that playing familiar songs along with originals keeps the audience participating, guessing, or anticipating. You can get them singing along to their faves, then teach them the chorus of your original. It works! And it's a fabulous feeling when you have a room full of strangers singing your hook!
   
   
10. Sell CDs and merch - if you do it right, you can still promote your songwriting career to a receptive audience. I've sold many CD's and have been asked for CD's of the covers. They want to pay for it! Why not sell t-shirts, hats, buttons, stickers and other stuff too.
    
    
11. Build your email list - with the opportunity to play and build a connection to more people, you can offer them a physical gift in exchange for signing the list - I use buttons and fridge magnets.  Keep an email sheet near the tip jar and possibly distribute email cards on the tables.
    
    
12. Stand out from your peers - I have found that most "cover" acts are usually not songwriters.  Many songwriters are not willing to play covers. By creating a "show" comprised of covers and originals, you will stand out from the others by offering a dimension to the audience that the others don't have.
     
13. You get to make people happy and feel good - any performance is "two way". The better you make the audience feel, the more they will like you. So what if you have to play "Brown Eyed Girl"  or "Margaritaville" again... if there are people stuffing dollars in your jar and you bring them three and a half minutes of happiness - while singing and playing guitar - who is it hurting?
     
14. You won't lose your self-respect - think about who you are trying to attract here... is it new fans or the opinions of other musicians? The biz has it's share of judgmental, competitive, insecure musicians who will tell you they love you and then act otherwise. You become the company you keep - so keep good company with your fans and the general public. They will appreciate you and support you and maybe even make you rich.
    
    
15. Make real friends - I saved the best for last...  I've met so many great people who I would have never had contact with, and many have grown into great friends, students and supporters. That alone is worth a lot.

So call me a weekend warrior... that's cool.  The difference is I don't really work all week.

Well, I work on my other income streams... but that's another story.

Play On, Sing On.

This coffee is awful...

I grew up in Michigan and spent many an hour at the counter of a famous coffee and donut shop drinking their coffee and eating sugar glazed doughnuts (or as they say "donuts"). As a teenager with nowhere to go, that was the place to go. Well, that was until the cops decided to hang out there too. After that, it was usually the take-out variety - a cup on the way home from a gig or a night out.   Never really anything to write home about. It was DD coffee.

Having lived out west for over twenty years, they didn't exist anywhere near where I resided. I really never thought much about DD or their coffee. So after all those years, I was surprised and intrigued when the coffee became available in the Denver area supermarkets. There was also a clever television campaign depicting the great lengths people will go to drink the stuff. It made me nostalgic. Was the coffee really good?  Or are they banking on my nostalgia and past brand loyalty?

I gave in and bought a bag. I found it priced higher than the *premium* coffees. I grabbed a bag of the whole bean, and ground it up - coarse, for my french press. I must say, I was not at all impressed by the dryness of the beans or the lack of aroma from the fresh grind. 

Once home, I eyeballed a few teaspoons into the french press glass urn, poured in the hot water and set back to let it brew. After mixing in a little half and half, I took a sip.  Much to my dismay, it tasted too strong and had a burnt taste to it - like the last cup in the pot left on a burner. Left a horrible aftertaste.  Blech. Ok, I thought, perhaps I should have measured more carefully.

So I dumped the cup down the drain and started over, this time fetching the official scooper (supplied by the french press manufacturer). After careful measurement and brewing, I took another first sip. It tasted just like the first cup - shite. I flashed back to the counter as a teenager and I remembered how we'd always add creme and sugar. Then take a sip. Then add more sugar. Sip. Sugar. Refill. Sugar... It never tasted good until it was mostly sugar. 

That's how DD coffee always tasted. Awful. I should have known better.

I foolishly fell for their clever marketing and now I have a bag of coffee that I won't drink.  Any takers?

Peace.