599 – How to Get Bigger, Better Gigs, Part 3: Getting the Gig

·41 min·4 clips

Nick Ruffini reveals a leader mentality strategy to accelerate getting gigs, bypassing traditional networking.

This episode is part 3 of the Bigger Better Gigs course on the Drummer's Resource Podcast, hosted by Nick Ruffini. Ruffini introduces the session by emphasizing a non-traditional approach to getting gigs, focusing on creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. He outlines the agenda, which includes learning to work with desired musicians, getting on call lists, and adding value. The host distinguishes between two mentalities: the sideman, who depends on others for gigs, and the leader, who takes initiative and controls their career. Ruffini advocates for the leader mentality as an accelerator, sharing his personal story of studying with mentor Glenn Farricone, a drummer and producer. He details how he hired musicians like Joey DeFrancesco, Paul Kleinfelter, and Richard Budessa to record an album, creating a calling card that elevated his status. This led to forming his own band, the Nick Ruffini Band, and hiring these musicians for gigs, fostering relationships through the law of reciprocity. Ruffini explains how this resulted in those musicians hiring him back, securing him more gigs. He addresses potential obstacles like cost and lack of material, suggesting cheaper recording methods and hiring writers. Alternative strategies are discussed, such as starting a band without a record, hiring subs for existing bands, or booking joint shows with target bands. The host recaps four main approaches: finding a mentor and subbing, cutting a record and gigging, starting a band and hiring, and getting on the same bill as other bands. Homework includes deciding on an approach, sketching a plan, listing target musicians and venues, and booking a gig or studio time first to force action. The episode ends with a preview of session 4 on leveraging gigs and a call for feedback.

As heard by us

Booking a room is treated like a job, not a dream.

This installment keeps the focus squarely on getting the gig. It is at its strongest when it gets practical about cold calling bars, bringing a new band into a room, and putting money back into the project before much reaches anyone's pocket.

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Why you'd press play

You get the straight talk on how a band lands a room without pretending it is glamour.

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