Need some help/ advice

[todd17063]

I hope I can get some help from everyone here. In September my local National Guard Unit is going to be deployed to Iraq. I retired from this Unit in 2006 so I know alot of these Soldiers getting deployed and I wanna show them some appreciation before they go over seas. What I'm looking to do is hold a benefit for these guys by having an all day Bandfest. However I have no clue as to how to organize this I figure I may need atleast 6-7 bands or solo acts Genre of music must vary. I want to hold this in August or right on Labor day weekend. Anyone who has ever organized an event I sure could use some advice to get it rolling.

Todd
MidNight Crossing

[Rich]

#1 thing... Find a place to have it. That's the main thing IMO. If you got no place to have it. No sense in have 6/7 bands, PA and people fired up about it... "Build it and they will come." You shouldn't have any problem getting bands to play. Hell, maybe go ask around. Maybe you can get "sponsors" to help with like "door prizes" and stuff.

Ya never know till you ask....

[sav]

^^ ditto to what he said. 1. Find a place. Considering the cause, try talking to VFW's, American Legions, etc. Sometimes they will donate the use of their halls for an event like this one. 2. Once you find a venue, talk to local businesses, etc. about possibly sponsoring your event.

ALSO, talk to the brass in the guard unit, they may be able to help in organizing the event. Mobilize families of the guardsmen and women to help you. This can be a great tool to reach out to families of the men and women who will be serving overseas. Make it a community event. My experience in organizing an event is, the more people that feel they have a stake in its outcome, the better the outcome will be.

This is a great cause, I hope you get your event off the ground! Good luck!

[DirtySanchez]

I've done a few benefits (played a few and Organized 1 myself).

First thing is find a venue. Summertime is great for outdoor shows too.
Get someone to run sound. Unfortunately finding a soundguy to DONATE his time may be tough, especialy on a weekend. Think different/diverse styles, Genres of music/bands. This will help draw all different types of people to the event. +1 on the getting sponsors. Beer distributor reps, Restaraunts/food vendors, even the National Guard (Sgt. Molika at the Frankstown Armory gave me all kinds of stuff for Rock For The Troops).

After you get all of that, (and of course a set in stone date) ask bands for their help. I'm sure many Rockpagers will be more than willing to help by playing your benefit(myself included). If you have any questions, you can pm me and I'll help you with what I can or at least steer you in the right direction.


Brian

[xero380]

i'll gladly help in any way possible esp. for our soldiers...

[moxham123]

Labor Day weekend is a very bad time to do a show because you would be competing with all the numerous festivals in the area as well as many of the acts are already booked due to all of these events have bands.

I do event management and timing is crucial to your attendance as well as the proper venue, acts, and sound.

[todd17063]

well today i talked to the national guard unit in lewistown and i'm not going to be able to use the armory as a venue due to the new equipment they will be recieving will take up the area i wanted. I will be sending a formal letter to mifflin county commissioners office requesting the use of the local rec center which will handle up to 400 people. I hope i'm not getting in over my head on this. I know i'm gonna need alot of help to make this happen. and bands willing to donate their time for this. due to my work schedule with having every other weekend off the timing of this event is crucial.

Todd

[KyleMayket]

Being a veteran myself, I would proudly, and gladly donate my time as a sound guy, I don't have equipment, so if you get the PA, i'll run it for you, anytime you need it.