Create a log sheet to keep communicated information updated and relevant — maintain a paper trail.

Provide the venue with a promotional pack – videos, mp3s, cds, a detailed description of the band, reviews, venues performed at, song list.

Devise a stage plot, showing the stage locations of the band members, their names, gear, and sound and lighting needs.

Find out where you are allowed to set up a merchandise table. Clarify the financial and logistical guidelines in advance.

Agree on the compensation arrangement for the band – what are the ticket prices, and is payment based on a guarantee, percentage of door, bar and food spent, tips, or some combination.

Will a P.A., a sound and lighting person, and a door person be provided?

What are food and drink options for band members?

What is the load in time and location?

Where can band members park during the performance? Is it free?

What time is the show and each set scheduled to start and stop?

Will the show be recorded, live streamed, and videotaped, and if so, how many cameras will be filming?

What time does sound check start and end?

Will any back line gear be provided, and if so, what? Will there be any sharing the gear or back line with one or more bands?

Who is in charge of promotion and publicity?

Sign a contract with the person or venue authority who is hiring the act, and in some cases, ask for a deposit.

What is location and address of the venue?

Who are the venue contact people for day of show and how can they be reached if needed?

Is there a guest list available?

Blog #2: Tips for Bandleaders

Create a set list for the band in advance of the show so everyone will be better prepared.

Have a band member policy re conduct and professionalism on and off stage.

Be clear with everyone about the arrival time, start time, stop time, intermissions, and all other relevant logistics.

Discuss in advance compensation and food and beverage guidelines

Be supportive of the side people, acknowledge them to the audience, in social media, and allow them to sometimes enjoy the spotlight.

Request input from members about material, arrangements and and various musical and logistic decisions.

Clarify general dress guidelines in advance. You don’t want three members showing up in black suits and one in khakis and a Versace sweater.

Set up rehearsals that focus on important upcoming shows.

Provide charts, arrangements, and musical direction when needed.

Discuss rough patches with respect and privacy. No need to air dirty laundry. As they say in sports, keep it in the locker room.

Blog #3: Becoming a Reliable Side-Person

Communicate quickly and efficiently, especially about time-sensitive matters. If someone takes the time to reach out to you — email, phone, text, social media, mail, pager (haha), take a moment to at least acknowledge their efforts. It may pay off in the short- and long-term.

Do your homework and preparation ahead of the show -- be prepared for the unexpected as well as the anticipated.

Support the other band members by doing whatever you can to make their roles easier. Be a team player.

Keep your mind and body in top form, avoiding any pitfalls that could prevent you from giving your best at the show.

Have great-sounding, good looking, reliable gear.

Communicate ahead of the show to make musical and logistical details clear.

Acknowledge and thank the other members at the show as well as via post-show communication — whether it be in person, text, email, or social media. Everyone contributes to the success.

Communicate with the live sound person about your needs and preferences in a polite and respectful manner.

Show up on time if not early for the load-in, sound check, downbeat, etc.

Be friendly and polite to patrons and venue staff.

Help make the leader’s job easier, not more difficult; they already have a ton of responsibilities.

Honor your commitments — within reason. Don’t cancel out on a gig at the last minute for an estra $25. On the other hand, if a can’t-refuse, high profile or extremely high-paying gig comes up, respectively ask your band leader if they would allow you an exemption from the gig, plus, offer to find a sub.

Be loyal where it is warranted, but don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Bands break up, reconfigure, etc. for all types of reasons, at the drop of a hat. You can’t control everything, but you can provide yourself with a safety net by keeping your options open. At the same time, don’t chase every shiny new toy. You never know what’s around the corner.

Sometimes it’s good to take a hard-line on compensation. Sometimes it isn’t. Weigh all the factors before you accept or turn down an opportunity. Sometimes, what seems to be a lost leader turns into a long-range benefit. Sometimes a sparkling diamond is really just a faux piece of jewelry

Whether there are 15 people or 1,500 people in the audience, play your best. Everyone in attendance made seeing your performance a priority. They could have dozens of other things with their time and money. Also, you never know who is going to be in the audience and what potential opportunities that might provide.

Blog #4: Potential Itemized Deduction Categories for Musicians who Declare their Artistic Income when Filling Out Tax Returns.

Everyone’s situation is unique. Always seek the advice of a trained tax and accounting professional to see what the best options are for you when filing your tax return.

• Magazine and newspaper subscriptions

• Instruments  purchased/rented

• Telephone

• Internet

• Gas or mileage

• Clothing

• Auto repair

• Tolls

• Parking

• Public transportation

• Rent or mortgage

• Property taxes

• Meals for business purposes

• Equipment repair

• Computer, software, and camera gear and repair

• Memberships and dues

• DMV

• Tools

• Lessons and classes

• Auto insurance

• Home insurance

• Renter’s insurance

• Books

• Subscriptions

• CDs, records, DVDs

• Printing costs

• Postage and shipping

• Office supplies and stationary

• Dental and medical

• Utilities

• Promotion and publicity

• Charitable donations

• Professional services

• Studio rental

• Travel expenses

• Business meals

• Domain fees

• Social media costs

• Banking and credit card fees

• Music production

• Mortgage, rent