Florida live music scene?

[swelshbucket]

Originally Posted by cfenn006

OK, sorry to get down on you here, but dont expect any support or help at all anywhere. I was providing information based on what you presented as much more organized and prepared.



Neither East North West South or Central Florida sound right for you do do what you are trying right now. Starting from scratch with no resources, connections, staff, and cash reserves is more of chasing a dream than entering a market.


In the Miami/Ft Lauderdale Area you are going to be crushed by the competition. North Florida, you will not be able to keep this thing going year round without taking gigs so far away they will destroy your bottom line and ultimately hurt your business. Tampa/Orlando you will have your season and then NOTHING...you will have a revolving door of staff at best and will find yourself waiting tables or driving for uber to survive.



You need both financial resources and human capital already in place for what you are describing.

Thanks for the info. Can I ask what your experience is in Florida live music? They say much the same about NYC, and I managed to do just fine here as a sideman.



My connections are with two national booking agencies. My resources include much more than enough capital to invest in promotional materials and the equipment necessary to run a high-end gig.


The thing that I am most sorely missing would be musician connections in the area. But I figure the best way to start off with that is to sub into whatever situations I can, get a feel for the scene, and start building from there. I'm not expecting to move to Florida and go in guns blazing with a couple bands and a mile-long sub list. I worked my way up in my current scene, and would intend to do the same thing in another.


I definitely wasn't clear about a specific timeline. The project I'm envisioning would take a matter of years to get properly set up. In terms of what I would do immediately upon relocating, I would be paying my bills with my private students, who are all online now, and begin seeking sub work, try to get a couple regulars, meet musicians, and take it from there. I could also fly up to NY for gigs until I have enough work in FL to stay local.

[cfenn006]

Originally Posted by swelshbucket

Thanks for the info. Can I ask what your experience is in Florida live music? They say much the same about NYC, and I managed to do just fine here as a sideman.



My connections are with two national booking agencies. My resources include much more than enough capital to invest in promotional materials and the equipment necessary to run a high-end gig.


The thing that I am most sorely missing would be musician connections in the area. But I figure the best way to start off with that is to sub into whatever situations I can, get a feel for the scene, and start building from there. I'm not expecting to move to Florida and go in guns blazing with a couple bands and a mile-long sub list. I worked my way up in my current scene, and would intend to do the same thing in another.


I definitely wasn't clear about a specific timeline. The project I'm envisioning would take a matter of years to get properly set up. In terms of what I would do immediately upon relocating, I would be paying my bills with my private students, who are all online now, and begin seeking sub work, try to get a couple regulars, meet musicians, and take it from there. I could also fly up to NY for gigs until I have enough work in FL to stay local.

Management in clubs, hotels, and the service industry in both Miami and Orlando. We avoided agencies and bookers at both places as dealt mostly with band members who had deep referrals we can call on their first time. After they deliver a few times we usually take the performer's word as gold. Too many issues occur when the guy who isnt playing is making areangements.



Wedding and contracted out talent is usually through the clients, but we had a few names to push if they needed (which is very rare), that is usually handled by wedding companies who handle it all (ceremony, band, transport, and contract lodgiarrangements of course). Its a very hard network to break and compete with. You will find Florida nowhere similar to NY. Different clientele And money levels, you also have to serve people coming in from out of state just for these conventions and events, so National Marketing is also a huge plus if you want to compete on a large level.