Currently in Jacksonville there are many new promoters. Many of these promoters just appearing from out of the Myspace Woodwork. I say Myspace, because that is one of the main reasons for all the new promoters. That happens to also be where most of the actual promoting happens.
I feel a lot of these promoters have serious ethics problems. Many of these promoters are booking a lot of the younger teenage bands and really treating them like shit. Some require pre-sale tickets that the bands must purchase and if the don't sell then they're screwed. Most of the bands don't even realize that they're being taken advantage of.
Unfortunately, there is such little money to be made in local/original music for bands. My problem with this situation is the promoters are taking more than the fair share of the money, which could go toward the bands.
The quality of actual promotions is another problem I have with these guys. Many are not doing anything to promote the show. Others simply post bulletins on Myspace as their promotions effort. I don't feel a bulletin or two justifies as promotions. If promoters are going to take 30% or more of the door, I would expect some effort.
These promoters can give a bad name to local music in Jacksonville. They can also give a bad reputation to a venue. If the promoter does a bad job, or treats people like shit; the venue get's the blame.
Venues need to be aware that the promoters are in some way going out and representing the venue. If the show turns to shit or the performers or fans are misrepresented, the venue can be blamed.
Ethics problems and down right stealing is another issue. I have witnessed first hand this happening.
The show was a $6 show. An unsuspecting fan/victim was asking how much to get it for an adult and a child. "It'll be $15 for you and $10 for the child". "That's bullshit!” she said. The promoter/door person; not realizing they were already informed of the price, said "Oh I guess six each".
I think for a promoter to walk away from a small show with $200-$300, after paying two or three of the six bands $20. That's bullshit. Why couldn’t it be split between all six bands with an even share to the promoter?
Let me set things straight. I'm not against all promoters. There are several promoters in Jacksonville that do a great job. There are a few promoters in Jax that have been around for a long time doing a very respectable job. Tim Hall from Jack Rabbits for example is one of the most influential and respectable promoters in Jacksonville. He books show not only at Jack Rabbits, but at many other venues in town.
I'm pretty sure many of these promoters seeing this article, will really be pissed off. It won't be the first time that I've pissed people off and it won't be the last. This is going to be an ongoing series. I feel if we discuss the problems with the Jacksonville Music Scene, and make people aware; we can make it better.
-Larry Briscoe
-JaxBands