Well, we are coming up on another St. Patrick’s Day. This year events seem to run from the 15th (Pre-Paddy’s Day Bender Warmup) to the 16th (Actual Parade and Hair-o’ the-Dog Day) to the 17th (Anyone Left Standing Day). I’m curious to hear other pipers’ booking and gig experiences, and (if it is not prying too much) how well you are being compensated for your “unique gift”. No need to name $/€, Just a general “not-at-all” to “handsomely” will do.
I know for me, the bottom dropped out long ago for reasonable compensation for St. Pat’s gigs. I keep hoping this is a continuing fluke that will wear itself out. It used to be: St. Patrick’s Day: name your price! but now it is more: St. Patrick’s Day: We will pay you with stage exposure to hundreds of drunks who won’t remember you the next day anyway. Plus one free drink token.
I’m hoping you are getting some decent dosh this year. You know what they say: as optimistic as an uilleann piper.
I have been playing pipes for events since 1992. I have always asked for, and gotten paid, good money for playing.
When someone calls to hire me I tell them my fee. Usually there is no issue with that. If they complain or give me a hardship story, I judge whether they are being truthful and then I will negotiate a fair price for both of us.
Also, I let them know that they need to pay me upon arrival at the event in cash or check. This alleviates the sticky issue of hunting them down to get paid.
Be professional in your dealings. Keep in contact with them about the gig and also be on time! Your reputation and future refferals depend on it.
Be careful with this though, because I have been taken before where they tell you they can’t afford your fee and them throw a huge bash with limos and all and then end up abusing your time by asking you to do a lot more than was agreed upon. Yes, this has happened to me.
On St. Patrick’s Day I have done as many as 7 events, but I now keep it to playing at my local pub event. They usually hire me for three consecutive days of playing there. I get paid handsomely and also get an all-day pass for me and my family to the festivities.
So, demand to be paid for your expertise, travel, time learning your instrument, and your time. All of this figures in to what you are paid. People tend to appreciate you more if you don’t undercut yourself or play for free.
If you decide to play for drinks and food that is fine as well as long as you are alright with that.
Private parties are by far the best-paying, and we’re fortunate to have two “callbacks” this year, one on the 15th and one on the 16th. But on the 17th … yeah, it’s the pubs and yeah, the pay sucks. I think we’re still getting paid the same as we were in 1993. I’ll net about $200 for 6 hours of ditch-digging alongside crappy PAs on the 17th.
I predict the 17th being on Sunday this year is going to hurt pubs a bit, especially in places with “blue laws.” We’re in one of them. In fact, one pub owner tried to lower our rate $100 (below the 1993 price!) because he wouldn’t be able to sell beer for the first couple hours of our set. I suggested he book a “tea band” for the after-church slot and schedule us for the afternoon or evening since we do seem to get people drinking hard (yup, we’re that bad!), but nope, he didn’t want to change. So we didn’t change either. You can only do so much, yeah?
As someone who has been self-employed for the past 13 years and bills my time by the hour, truer words were never spoken. People value what they have to pay good money for, and respect you much less if you are cheap. I learned that early on as a consultant. Don’t be afraid to price yourself high in the market.
I never play to an audience for free, (or for barter) for anything. Period.
Interesting to note: on St Patrick’s “Day” (incidentally lasting in my region from mid-February to March 18th) Uilleann pipes are seldom asked for. An sudden invasion of beginner to intermediate Highland pipers in Irish-tending attire playing primarily Irish[-tending] tunes (however cheaply & poorly) is the norm.(& Im not intending to open the old old Alba/Hibernian can of tuna.)
Its a bit like that ‘what’s in your wallet’ commercial…A marauding indelicate horde busting into a carefully cultivated and subtle venue/client/performer ballet…
When I finally DO play uilleann 'round this time of year, it is usually for some event thats not connected directly to the celebration of St Patrick. A Pre-scheduled concert, wedding, or show that just happens to fall within the pale.
One type of gig where I’ve always tried to make a dedicated effort to sneak uilleann pipes in, is at elementary & pre schools. I figure its worth bending the contract to get the kids familiar with this, when the situation permits, despite the preconceptions the client may often carry.
Lastly, just to say, my busiest time for playing the uilleann pipes has always been mid August thru to early November; go figure! Their sound associates for so many with the turning of the leaves. Nice, Ive always thought.
Nice, Ive always thought.