Cover vs. Tipping
Attracting and keeping clientele is a necessity in the bar business here in Statesboro, GA home of Georgia Southern University. With a population of over 20,000 students competition to attract `students to come is fierce.
A popular option is having local musicians come play as a source of live entertainment as opposed to the usual DJ or house playlist that bars have.
Acquiring gigs for local musicians is normally not a lucrative option however it does provide a way to get their name out there and provide the potential for future shows.
There are ways that owners can compensate the musicians including charging cover at the door or allowing the musician to receive tips from bar patrons throughout the night.
Most bars in Statesboro take the cover route to pay for the band coming in charging $5 when you get your I.D. checked.
“Cover is a huge bummer when it comes to me going out, I won’t pay anything more than $5 to get into a bar especially if it’s not someone reputable” said Brian Wood, a sophomore chemistry major.
Afroman recently came to Rum Runners, tickets were sold for $5 before the event and cover was $10 at the door to pay the $3000 cost to book him.
“When bigger musicians come in we normally sell tickets at a lower rate before the date of the concert, and higher at the door,” said Wynn Owen, a bouncer at Rum Runners.
Another example is the Velcro Pygmies came to South City Tavern with cover costing patrons $7.
Club 125, a local night club booked Waka Flocka for a concert last fall and sold tickets for up to $30 in order to cover his appearance fee.
“Without charging more than the usual cover there would’ve been no way we would’ve been able to book Waka Flocka”, said Tyler Finazzo, one of the house DJ’s at Club 125.
Many times it is these types of bands or artist that cover comes into play, while more local musicians and artists will find sources of income through smaller booking fees and subsidize through tips.
With the recent success of country singers Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell, both former students at Georgia Southern, country musicians have become a frequent option that is played at local bars. With the hopes of making it big one day the musicians will settle for small cover charges and tips to continue their dreams.
