This older couple bought an old restaurant and converted it into a piano bar. My friend's 50s cover act is booked there tonight so last night I went do some recon with Mrs. SFH and our friend that plays bass in the same band. We didn't tip our hands we were scoping the place for "tomorrow's act."
So it's a really NICE place and they're going for upscale in a rural area vibe. I was reading the newspaper articles on the place during the ride (I wasn't driving) and they specifically stated they did not want a younger crowd. My wife has two nose piercings, tattoos up and down her arms, and pink hair. I have an epic beard and visible tattoos as well. The owner kept following us around asking why we were there on "old fogie night."
From what we deduced, their only kid was born after they had been married a very long time and now that he's in college they decided to take the plunge on their own business. They seem like they have the best intentions but no business experience. Also, the wife was outside talking to my group telling us "y'all should come tomorrow night, we have a punk rock band that plays 50s music and makes fun of Elvis." That is NOT my friend's band's gimmick. They do straight covers and wear dress up clothes. I don't think she was being critical, I just don't think she knows what she booked nor does she know the term "cover band."
Also from the article, "we don't want to be the place a drunk comes looking for a $3 beer." I'm not sure what that means. "We're smoke free" and the article references the smoker's patio for "11 people." So if ten people are smoking, two smokers can't go buddy up for a light outside.
The lady was telling me they really don't know who to book, which if they don't want a younger crowd they're going to be limited on "older acts" in this area. I suggested she ask her son who the kids in college are jamming to downtown (he's going to the local college that I also attended, so we were using that as a mutual talking point) and she said "oh he's a nerd he doesn't know music." I got nerd triggered. "Nerds know music!" Apparently her son doesn't.
We didn't tell my friend what she said about "making fun of Elvis", just that she was inviting us to come back out for his band.
Anyway, I fully expect the owners to recognize us again tonight and think their hyping and advertising worked and they're going to want to talk some more. I'd like to see them succeed just on the fact that we need more dedicated music venues in the area (that can also book my friends lol). Please send me any music talking points or tips I can casually insert into conversations to help these people not fall on their face. I'm hyping my friend that they seem nice and even if tonight sucks, as long as they're not outright discourteous, and the check doesn't bounce, to accept a second booking if offered.
