Trying to start a club in Central PA
I live in a town in central PA that is Blues-Starved. There is a restaurant that needs a gimmick and I think they would be a perfect Blues venue. Amazing food, liquor license, parking, no other blues club for millions of miles.
Converse with me about how to go about this. I'm just a schlemmeal with an idea.
Converse with me about how to go about this. I'm just a schlemmeal with an idea.
Views: 3
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by mark cloutier on
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BBQ,blues and beer is always a great formula for success--pig roasts,biker-poker runs,any events in the summer helps!Im from syracuse we will come and play when you open--book us two nights! Best wishes Mark!
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Man you got the name--Jack Harley! add bikes,bluesBBQ,Beer to the fold!
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Permalink Reply by Chad Nordhoff on -
Daily, I work in the center of the highest concentration of blues-themed restaurants in the world. Good food, good service, good deals, and cleanliness are what keep our particular place competitive. Mark is right about BBQ. However, it can be the kiss of death to toss some storebrand pulled pork and fries on the table and call it a 'blues combo'. A blues-bucket ie 5 Miller Lites for $5 may be a better way to get the theme across.
LIVE MUSIC! Obviously, but not just Fri, Sat, 9pm to 1am. If a musician is willing and able to play a lunch time set, say 11:30am to 1:30pm you could squash the lunch time competition especially with those customers who SPEND. A house P.A. system makes the bands job easier and can save the house a lot of time and money. As long the system is maintained and kept simple, it save each musician a lot of time. .
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Permalink Reply by Mary "Mary4Music" Roby on -
Glad to see you joined LBW Jack. Lot's of great people here.
Mary
Mary4Music.com
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Permalink Reply by Blue Plate Special on -
Sounds like you've got a good start, so I'll just throw a few good ideas out here for ya', based on other
places I know that have survived. I also agree about keeping the food amazing and affordable and above all Cleanliness. Good fortune to you!
Start with a good reliable house PA for your room. Traveling Blues acts can always use another place to play on their way between other clubs , so get to know other Top flite Blues club owners in surrounding states. Better deals are made with fewer travel miles. Get to know some close by motel chain to make a deal on overnite stays for artists that can be included in your deal process.
Be honest and straightforward as an owner, to your clientele and artists. Listen to submissions from all who submit and don't be afraid to say no. Your clientele wants a club they can count on for good entertainment and bring their friends to at anytime so pick your vibe and stick to it! Sad to say but there are bad acts out there that must be weeded thru and it only takes a few to derail your train.
Have a budget in mind and stick to it until success provides you with a better one. Expand your days of the week as budget will allow, hold a jam night with a local "Heavy Hitter" hosting to get musicians to come by and spread the word
but don't be afraid to put the kabosh on it if it gets off the beaten track (if you are seriously appealing to blues fans).
Be involved at all times, all will respect you for it, it's a full time job and you gotta love it. Give your patrons a suggestion box input as to who they'd like to see and try to attain that, within the context of a blues club. Start a club membership program where patrons can join and get deals on events like upcoming special concert nite admissions.
Example: for a membership card and $100 a year you might get 10 or 15% off Door charges, drinks - you figure the numbers and perks out. This could also give you extra funds to put toward bigger acts.
Invest in a good website and search for the best in independent and major acts. Advertise....Advertise.... Advertise!!!
Get to know Blues Radio stations and Society's in your area and have special nights with them and their listeners!
Let it be known to good causes that your place can host their benefit nights!
Sell "Good" Blues CD's with an in club Blues CD store, strike a deal with artists and be honest. Play upcoming artists CD's on house system, this is really important with upcoming local or independent artists.
The decisions you make now will determine whether or not your still on the scene 10 years from now! The quality gets you remembered over time, the mistakes get you forgotten 10 times faster; so do it the best you can!!!
Hope it helps, and maybe we'll all meet someday!!
-R.P. Michaels
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Permalink Reply by Jack Harley on -
RP
Many great thoughts. I'm passing this on to the owners and we'll see where it goes. Here's a question, though. If there's no other Blues within 45 minutes of where I am at, does that mean no one wants it, or that it's an apple waiting to be picked?
Hmmm?
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Permalink Reply by Blue Plate Special on
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Hmmm is right, Jack. This IS the major first decision. I have been mulling over this myself as a retirement
possibility in the next few years. Here are some ideas I've come up with regarding placement.
1) Are you near a major interstate or highway with billboard possibilities?
2) Are you easily gotten to for folks in PA.?
3) Ask around in some fashion. Take out a classified ad and ask if their are any other Blues fans out there,
see what you get. If you get responses ask where and what they do get their Blues fix.
What's your ethnic variety in the area? What's your area's economic stature - blue collar, wealthy, mid income? A mix is best. Fans of country music and Classic Roots Rock are not far removed and I've found are also fond of Blues "Live".
Some area's will just never work so it's a hard decision, not just a "Field of Dreams". That said, I've found small and midsize towns 50 to 75 miles from a major city are some of the best concert nights, large crowds starved for Good "Live " music bands (a big Yes to Blues here).
Either way you must be prepared financially to ride it out and let your Advertisement work, and do it well (your Food, the Music, friendliness, fun and frolic, your commitment to customer satisfaction all somehow conveyed).
4) Are you in what might be called a touristy area? That could help.
Blues Fans are in it for the long haul if you make it a worthwhile experience "They will come" !
New Blues Fans are made every day, and it's all of our jobs to reach that spot where the light comes in!
Just some ideas, I'm sure there are more out there!
-Ron
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