Of course it's hard for any solo act to accept performing for less than they are worth. But, that is the struggle of the up and comer. We all like to surround ourselves with people who can get us to the next level or tell and show us how to do it. But there's something to be said about playing the small gigs. Those spots where you don't know if you'll make enough to cover the gas it took to get there. You try harder. You engage more. There's more on the line for you to be consistent and get it right 100% of the time.
These places for all of us are the proving grounds of whether or not we have what it takes. Eventually, our path comes to a fork. We either grow beyond that place but keep it as a refrigerator magnet in our mind, or we retreat having felt defeated and realize we won't make it in this business.
For me, Fargo's Pizza is that place. It wasn't the first place I ever performed. But it is the first place that gave me a residency. The guests and staff here have been accommodating and appreciative to the point that management here has allowed me to brand myself upon their walls (as you can see in the image). They like having me here, and I like performing here. It doesn't always make me a lot in tips, but the reactions I get from the families leave a lasting tattoo on my timeline.
This is the most direct interactions I have with people where I showcase nearly all of my materials. I get to practice new pieces, rehash older ones, and add to current material. It's all a training ground to hone the skills necessary to go beyond and get the bigger gigs. I have streamlined my look here. Found my voice as a character. Stepped up my game in so many ways.
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