Today, I stopped into Barnes and Nobles to check out some magazines. Originally, I intended to browse through some music mags and I was reading "Down Beat" magazine when I glanced up and noticed a whole section of travel and leisure magazines. So I picked a copy of Florida Travel and Life Magazine, just to see if there were any potential events or restaurants that might need entertainment. I hit the jackpot! I found page after page of restaurant ads, so I sat down with my tablet and made a list of potential venues and contact information.

   I only had limited time to spend in the store, but I was able to make a list of 30 potential gigs, including phone numbers and email addresses! I got home about an hour ago and created an email on a word document. I went online and googled each potential venue to see if they listed entertainment, but I figured, "what have I got to lose?" Even if there websites don't indicate that they have live music, I decided to send an email anyway. 7 of the places didn't have email addresses, so I will call tomorrow to see if I can get the general manager or bar manager on the phone to see if there is an opportunity to perform for an event or a regular gig. So I sent 23 emails tonight with the following message:



   Monday, I will call all of these venues to see if I can get a decision maker on the phone. Again, the bottom line is, this didn't cost me a dime and I would be willing to bet I find a gig or two from my efforts. About a year ago, I mailed some post cards I got from Vista Print to about 20 restaurants. About a week later, I got a call from a guy named Pete who said he found my postcard on his desk and he wasn't sure why, but he wanted to talk to me about performing in his restaurant. This Saturday will mark one year of performances every Saturday, like clockwork!

   A friend of mine, Charles Jackson once told me, "You have to treat the music scene in Florida like you are bigger than life. You want to make the decision maker feel like he's the only person in the world who has never heard of Rick Combs."  Think "Outside The Box" and expect success.