what do you think ,a good idea?

It's a great idea.

We need an actual venue, not just another bar...a place
that strictly has bands & the music scene in mind, & that alone.

It should be all ages, as well...

People would be surprised at how big
our music scene is, & I'm actually pretty saddened
at the "Music" section on here. It doesn't seem like there
is much diversity in this section, for some reason.

There are plenty of awesome bands
& people that I know, that aren't on
the list that are very talented & deserve
the same publicity/chance as the others...

However, that's a whole different story for an
entirely different time, & I'm ranting now...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: shes_a_carousel,

I don't know specifically what you are think of, but I think it's very feasible.

quote:

Originally posted by chicago cafe:
what do you think ,a good idea?

Actually, there are a couple of venues here. The old Shoals Theater is used at times for live shows and also, (I think it's called) Alabama Music Hall. It's in Sheffield on Montgomery Ave. Oh, and that place in downtown Florence on Pine Street. (I can't remember the name of that place) It's just hard for bands to do those types of shows since you have to rent out the space first and just hope you get a big enough crowd to break even. As most of you know most bands don't have that kind of money. That entails alot of work (and some risk) for little or no payoff.

i've been wishing ,hoping,and preaching this very subject for years... i don't like being thought of as negative but it will never survive especially, the way the economy is now. a few years ago it may have survived. even then with the way this area is it 's still doubtful that it would make it. this area just doesn't support live music.i have seen it time and again...street partys that are free a few people come but not like it would be anywhere else. why is this. people are broke for the most part ,lazy ,its easier to stay at home and be entertained these days......lots of reasons.another reason i think is because we keep relying on the same crowds to come out and in this area that is ,small and some times nonexistent. this area should have a steady flow of people who come for MUSIC .... hit recording capitol of the world and no place in the town that caters to live ,original music . there is not a party atmosphere,like say nasville ,memphis.yea some f the bars have originals music ,but even they dont support music for what it really is. if a band dont bring a beer drinking crowd they wont be asked back. i truly think that if we started today with something like this maybe just maybe with everyone working together it would start to turn around in the next 10 to 20 years. it takes alot more than just a venue,it takes a city with some sort of desire to attract a more diverse crowd of people.the money the people the lifestyle in this area are old and sad. who wants to come here ...golfers,fishermen,thats great and once a year we have a music festival.the powers that be need to loosen up the old rusty buckle on the bible belt and let it happen...otherwise we have no hope.music is our last industry we need to use it to attract people from all over the world with money to spend.if they dont enjoy themselves when they come ,then chances are they wont be back.....that is unless they are ready to RETIRE!!!!!!!!!!

what location do you guys feel would be best....food? beer? all ages? smoking ?

quote:

Originally posted by chicago cafe:
what location do you guys feel would be best....food? beer? all ages? smoking ?

I personally think a place that has affordable food geared toward a more youthfull crowd would be awesome. Our youth have no where to go. Us adults have plenty of places to go around here. JMHO

quote:

Originally posted by Booya Moon:

quote:

Originally posted by chicago cafe:
what location do you guys feel would be best....food? beer? all ages? smoking ?

I personally think a place that has affordable food geared toward a more youthfull crowd would be awesome. Our youth have no where to go. Us adults have plenty of places to go around here. JMHO

Oh, and downtown Sheffield has plenty of buildings that need to inhabited. I think that would be a great place!

for a venue: a PA, a stage. maybe someone selling generic canned drinks. thats it. -- or a arts space, look at Lowe Mill/Flying Monkey Arts in Huntsville

for a profit driven business: 18+, smoking, liquor.

i'd like to start a arts space, but any building i find to squat in shows signs of being maintained.

how about a place that seats 75 but will hold 250??? with food and drink .movie screen,and theater now and then?? blues comedy and local music.touring bands coming thru the area????? sound good?Id love to see it......

chicago,

Not trying to be negative, but here's some things you should consider.

You mentioned a touring band in a 250 seat venue. It just won't work, at least not with any consistency. Once you pay the band (including their technical and hospitality riders), you would have to have a cover charge in excess of $25 to break even on the entertainment. That's for a touring band at the lowest end of the pay scale. Most bands would mandate a $50+ cover charge to break even. Then, you make all your profit on drink sales. The demand for tickets that expensive, in my opinion, is not that strong in this area.

I agree. For small touring bands or acts to play there, capacity will need to be around 500. A 250 capacity club would by tiny. Good for local acts just getting started, but nothing bigger. Plus, being 45 minutes from an interstate hurts too. To draw touring acts, it would have to be a much larger venue with the majority of tix sold before the show.

quote:

You mentioned a touring band in a 250 seat venue. It just won't work, at least not with any consistency. Once you pay the band (including their technical and hospitality riders), you would have to have a cover charge in excess of $25 to break even on the entertainment. That's for a touring band at the lowest end of the pay scale. Most bands would mandate a $50+ cover charge to break even. Then, you make all your profit on drink sales. The demand for tickets that expensive, in my opinion, is not that strong in this area.

I think your idea of a touring band may be different from my idea of a touring band. Yeah, you're in the ballpark, but there are plenty of "touring bands" that play for the cover charge or a small guarantee... say, in the couple of hundred dollars range.

I played in a band for a couple of years that went on the road a couple of weekends a month. We played in all kinds of different venues. Some were crap and some were excellent.
I think there is definitely a void that could be filled in terms of venues in the area, especially if they are in downtown Florence close to the university.

Layout of the venue needs to be considered. There are places here in town that are very awkward to see a band.
There should be a decent stage with a good PA system and some lights. Lights don't have to be extravagant, only decent. I think more money should be spent on a good PA system. There's nothing worse than hearing a great band through a crappy PA.

quote:

there are plenty of "touring bands" that play for the cover charge or a small guarantee... say, in the couple of hundred dollars range.

Well yeah, we just disagree on the definition of "touring band." However, bands willing to play for the door or $200 might be fine bands, but they will virtually never have the name recognition to draw a crowd.

i'd stick towards the smaller end of the specturum.. hire someone to book shows 3 nights a week--that will be a full time job.

another idea that might work: let outsiders book shows a couple nights a week for a flat rate--

have a good PA and lighting-- plus someone that can run them well..


places to check out:
bottletree - birmingham
hi tone - memphis