Paul Costley, Booking Agent: Walking the Fine Line Between Rooms and Bands

Every band deals with a booking agent at some point, and today that becomes true here at GigGab, too, as we welcome Paul Costley of Notso Costley Productions onto the show. Paul’s been playing in, managing, booking, and organizing bands since the 1970s, and has carved out a very successful booking business for himself in New England. Yep, it’s a two-Pauls-and-one-Dave show as your two favorite weekend warriors listen to advice about working with a booking agent, managing relationships with various clubs, and what representation with a booking agent does – and doesn’t – bring you. Take a listen, then send in your questions to us at [email protected]. Enjoy! Chapters/Timestamps: 00:00:00 GigGab 120 – Monday, June 19, 2017 00:01:52 Paul Costley from Notso Costley Productions 00:02:38 Started with a restaurant 00:04:01 …and then went to just booking 00:05:24 Who do you book? 00:06:51 Our job is to entertain the people in your room 00:10:20 Your band is your business 00:11:36 Walking the fine line between rooms and bands 00:13:40 Develop relationships with owners on top of managers 00:15:40 “We’d love to have you represent us!” 00:16:49 Start playing with younger people 00:17:55 Send me a couple of YouTube clips 00:18:40 Use an open night 00:19:42 Your success is your song list 00:20:24 What about the look? 00:22:02 It’s all about understanding the venue 00:23:57 Venue micromanagement 00:25:57 How to attract (or turn away) a booking agents Make a name for yourself and let the booking agents come to you 00:29:20 How pesty is too pesty 00:31:12 Feedback from clubs 00:33:42 ASCAP/BMI/CESAC is Causing Attrition 00:36:17 GG Outtro The post Paul Costley, Booking Agent: Walking the Fine Line Between Rooms and Bands – GigGab 120 appeared first on Gig Gab.