datamusicata

Traveling with my pal Corky Siegel (www.chamberblues.com) on tour last week, we ran into another problem that you would think we never have to deal with again, considering we have almost a century of performing between us.

Corky’s tour manager and booker, Holly, was with us and she has only booked him about three thousand times. She always sends a link to the riders regarding what Corky’s and my requirements might be for a particular gig.  A promoter should go to the links and see what's what, but a written rider should also be sent...just in case.

As Corky is a piano player, there is always a reference to have the piano on stage and in place before it is tuned, specifically on the day of the concert.

At one of the venues, we were informed the morning of the gig. It was a Sunday, so most retail places are closed and we were suddenly confronted with the idea that we had to provide the piano.

I had driven up from Los Angeles, and Corky and Holly flew from Chicago. They never travel with a piano and haven’t since Corky went solo, so they always ascertain that a piano be there.

Somehow this promoter ended up with the understanding that we were bringing the piano. We went crazy calling people all over the U.S. as well as Studio Instrument Rentals and various other places.

As it turned out, it was all a misunderstanding and the venue has always had a digital piano that can be delivered to the venue and rented for the night for a mere $35.00 per evening.

Somehow the promoter didn’t remember that, or didn’t understand that and we didn’t make certain that we were all on the same page.

We got that piano, it worked great, the gig went great and the promoter, (with whom I’ve worked many times and he’s a completely great guy and professional), is aware of how the piano situation works in that venue for future reference.

Here’s what I am recommending to you today. Something so simple we should apply it to every aspect of our lives.

After the phone conversation, or the meeting, we send a follow up confirmation that essentially reads, “this is what my understanding of what we agreed upon today is...does this appear to be the same thing to you? Are we on the same page?”

If you send a follow up confirmation, even if they don’t respond to it or even read it, you have covered your act.

Always do a follow up confirmation, even after talking to someone who’s going to mow your lawn, paint your house, sell you a car, etc. always make it clear what you think is going on. If it’s not correct, they’ll tell you. And if they don’t, then you have it in writing what the understanding is...and they do to. But only your version, so you win.

Trust me on this. Always do a confirmation follow up.