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When I started out performing I used to have stage fright so bad that I once hid behind a curtain at the school auditorium. We had a trio and I would always choose the most dimly-lit part of the stage. Thankfully, this did not last long but the first song of the evening is still the most important to me.
1. Who Is the Crowd?
What I look for before I step up on stage is the type of people in attendance.
Are they:
- Sports teams?
- Couples?
- Business people?
- Teachers?
- Young?
- Old?
- A mixture?
When I started out I used to pray for people my own age who weren’t country fans. Why? Because at that time it wasn’t “cool” to know country and so I never learned any. Dumb, huh?
Now, I am lucky enough (and old enough!) to have a large repertoire that includes many good starters. In a lounge setting or a warm-up for an after-dinner crowd I choose Mack the Knife because it’s a classic and, based on results, I do a good job of it. I also get to show off a decent piano solo and its important to get off on the right footing with yourself, too. The crowd picks up when a performer is in to what he or she is playing.
If I have a sports, or rowdier clientele, I may choose Hotel California at the first song because everyone likes the tune and I can introduce myself in the middle of the tune during the bridge. For a dance crowd I may do a songs like Flip, Flop and Fly or Keep Your Hands to Yourself by the Georgia Satellites.
2. No Dead Air at First
The next trick I use is to follow up the first song quickly to avoid lags which may cause the audience to focus attention elsewhere. It also doesn’t give any would-be hecklers an opening to build an audience of their own! (although, these days, that isn’t even an issue)
My first sets are always an hour. To me, timing my sets was always low-brow. Part of my success has always been: give ‘em more. Of course my timelines have to coordinate with the person who is hiring me so none of this is written in stone.
3. Dress the Part
The way you dress is also of great importance. Being anti-establishment in a corporate gig is a sure-fire way to lose you audience and future engagements. You can be anyone you want to be on stage – but not if someone else is picking up the tab.
Remember my take on an old adage: First impressions will decide how the night will go.