Solo entertainers have a hard row to hoe on gig nights. Where band members can play off each other to keep the energy level high and to cover over each others' weak spots (there's a reason mics are only given to those who can sing!), the solo performer has to carry the whole show on his/her own. That's a lot to take care of, and here are a few suggestions for you budding monologists, based on my experiences as a soloist:

Know your stuff before you book the first gig! No one will willingly expose themselves to amateurish performances unless they're (a) related to you or (b) want to sleep with you. Most people wil just walk out, and you'll be following them out the door when the manager realizes you've scared off his business for the night! So before humiliating yourself in public, learn the lyrics, get the guitar part down, and do a bit of homework about the songs you're singing. Being ready with an anecdote about the next song really helps you connect with the audience, and shows them that you do, in fact,  know what you;re talking about.  It also means you can get away with fewer songs per set - a useful thing when the playlist is short!

Keep it simple!  - As a solo performer, no one expects you to provide stadium rock concert sound, so don't try! Instead focus on delivering a technically clean and emotionally connected performance that will catch your audience's attention and make them stay for the evening. On a similar note, be careful with the use of backing tracks in your performances. Modern gear lets us program the sounds of an entire orchestra to sing along with if we like, but it may put audiences off if done poorly. After all, they've come to see a live show, not a pre-recorded session....

Gear down! Tailor your PA gear and other equipment to your needs and no more. If you play small bars, there's little need for a 3000 watt PA system with massive speaker arrays and fancy light shows. I gig with a small combo amplifier, a guitar and a mic. Period. I don't take 6 guitars along "just in case", nor do I stockpile amplifiers or huge PA speakers. I don;t need them for 99% of gigs, so if I do run across a venue for which I need more gear, I rent it for the occasion. It's simple, easy and I can get all my gear to the car in one trip!

Get the crowd's attention and keep it!  This may sound idiotically straighforward, but alas, common sense is not that common! Put a bunch of your best material in the opening set to catch attention and hold it for the rest of the show. Banter with the audience and play requests if you know the song. It may not have been in your playlist for the night, but the 2 minutes it takes to play a favourite song is worth it to impress and retain an audience! Got a heckler? Be professional and use a touch of humour to shut him up. Never insult your audience - their beer purchases are financing your fee for the night!

Bar owners and managers love to see performers who can handle themselves on stage, so if crowd control isn't your strong suit, find someone who can teach you the finer points. It's worth the efrfort to get your stage banter down pat!

That's it for now! I'll chat at you again soon!