Chris Griffin | Griffin Strings

I’m thankful for friends who keep me motivated to update:)

The band gets an opportunity to play for Disney in Oct. The event is held inside Epcot center. I’ve been consistently impressed with the way they do business. Today I had a conference call with 6 people. One was in charge of the facilities, one handled logistics, one handled sound, another was just for our stage needs, and another was the officiator of the call….Before we could sign a contract…there was a pre-contract for the event….Another thing they needed was a technical rider….We have never needed a technical rider..The most we have ever had to send is a stage plot…(I guess we’re movin on up)….I’m going to copy the basic one we sent so you can see it after the post….Some of the riders I’ve seen require red m&ms and all kind of crazy stuff..Our’s needless to say doesn’t…..I wish all the people I deal with handled themselves in this kind of professional manner…It’s refreshing…

On a sad note, my music boss at church is stepping down. It’s my fourth boss in four years…I know God has the perfect next step planned out just for him…Change is just sometimes tough for me…

Other random cool band stuff…..We played in Kentucky last weekend at a prestigious festival…An Orlando booking agent has contacted us about performing on military bases across the SE……We have a new t-shirt design as well as new press pics….There is a huge billboard on interstate I-65 for a festival with our pic. on it…we’re making progress on new songs…Adam and I have 10 or so rough ideas from our Skype internet writing sessions…We’re going to play one of them tomorrow night at a B’ham gig…I’m actually the most happy about finding a writing format that works for us…It’s been challenging to figure out a 2nd album plan….I think it’s gonna work out well though…A. and I are going to go for 20 ideas…Then bring those ideas to the rest of the band and Jason (producer)…We will narrow down to 12 or so and then start the composition/arranging process…I’m guessing we’re 12-15 months our from starting the studio tracking. For every band this is a totally different process…But for our band, we usually do all the compositional work before hand….Then use the studio for laying down parts…Jason then takes our mess and makes it sound presentable……………………..Video of the day is the tune adam and I worked on for X band…

AOC Technical Rider (with omissions)

Thank you for booking – for your event. This rider is an attempt to provide you with information that will help your event run smoothly, efficiently, and most importantly, effectively. If any areas are unclear or appear to be difficult in your particular situation, don’t hesitate to contact Management with questions. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to work with you and are eager to help you. Please read and sign the attached rider and mail or fax it in with your contract.

Management and Booking:
Chris Griffin
Addicus Media

SECTION 1 – VENUE
Merchandise Area – Please provide one (1) six-foot table for the sale of our artist merchandise.

Dressing Room Area – Please provide artist with two (2) private rooms where they can change clothes before the event.

Volunteers – We would like to have at least two (2) people to help us load in and set up. We will also like to have two (2) people at the end of the night to help us tear down and load out. We would also like to have onr (1) female over the age of 21 to assist with merchandise available from the time the band arrives until after the show.

SECTION 2 – HOSPITALITY

Artist’s personnel will be comprised of the four (4) band members, one (1) sound engineer and two (2) crew. All arrangements for food and lodging should be made with this information taken into consideration.

Meals – After artist arrives, please provide meals for artist and crew. Take out food from restaurants is also welcome, but please take orders from the band when they arrive and send someone out to pick it up.

Snacks – Please have a few snacks in artist’s dressing room area throughout the day. Some favorites are fresh fruit (Grapes, Bananas, Peaches, Apples), fruit trays, Sun Chips, Gold Fish, Nature Valley or Quaker Granola Bars. Please also provide artist with 1 loaf of whole wheat bread, 1 pack of sandwich meat (turkey or ham), and one pack of sandwich cheese.

Beverages – Please provide a wide assortment of beverages to be kept on hand throughout the entire day from Artist’s arrival through their departure. This should include at least 24 bottles of water. Some favorites are Gatorade, and Starbucks drinks

SECTION 3 – LODGING
If overnight lodging is needed for the event:
Please provide two (2) rooms (with two double beds and non-smoking) at a nearby good quality hotel or motel. These rooms should be reserved and paid for in advance by the Purchaser. We ask that you also pre-pay for Internet access whenever possible. The rooms should be held under the name -.

**On occasion, the band may need to drive part of the way to their next location after your event. If so, please provide the band with the cash value of the hotel rooms instead of booking the rooms.**

SECTION 4 – PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Sound System – a mixer/amplification/speaker system that is of good quality and that is capable of providing adequate sound for the venue.
Mixing Console – one professional quality mixing console with at least 10 input channels, each input channel should have a minimum of a four band semi-parametric EQ.
Main Speakers – at least 2 main speakers (15” and a horn) and 2 subs
Monitors – at least four stage monitors (12” and a horn)
Amps – power amps capable of powering the above sound system
Misc – All microphones, cables and stands that are called for in the attached input list

- INPUT LIST

CHANNEL INPUT MIC TYPE STAND TYPE
1 Chris Vox SM58 or better Boom
2 Guitar xlr n/a
3 Dobro condensor Boom
4 Adam Vox SM58 or better Boom
5 Mandolyn xlr n/a
6 Guitar xlr n/a
7 Bethany Vox SM58 or better Boom
8 Violin xlr n/a
9 Tim Vocal SM58 or better Boom
10 Bass xlr n/a

ARTIST REQUESTS A LOW MONITOR STAGE VOLUME.

MONITOR MIX SHOULD BE USED MAINLY FOR VOCALS.
SECTION 5 – FEES
All payments on behalf of the band should be made via cash or check. Checks should be made payable to Act of Congress LLC. The band should be paid on the day of the performance.

CONTRACT CONFIRMATION
I, the Purchaser, have read and understand that this rider is to be treated as part of the legally binding performance contract that I have entered into with -. By signing below, I agree to fulfill the requirements laid out for me in this contract. I understand that if I have any questions or problems regarding this rider, I will contact Act of Congress well in advance of the date of the event.

____________________________________________

Purchaser Representative
____________________

Date

Last week I played a conference in North Carolina. It was a good time to catch up with old friends, and enjoy75 degree days…Highlights were white water rafting by “Razor Rock”….The crazy great speaker…and the 8 hour bus ride home with a bunch of 3rd graders…I did some group teaching, and tried out a new compression pedal “hot pink” built by a friend of mine. Upon arriving home, I hopped in the car with my brother in law and joined the rest of my family at the lake. For two days, we then wore out a prestine 1985 wave runner that was donated to our family. (they couln’t sell it)
This week the band has been getting ready for new pictures. It’s actually a fairly involved process. There is lots of planning with the stylist, photog….etc…Hope it goes well….

It seems everybody is putting their version of cover songs on the internet. Even selling them on iTunes…..Go to iTunes and search for the song “Clocks” written by Coldplay…There are at least 30 versions for sale…And there are some funny ones…I wonder how many of these folks went through the proper licensing channels before uploading….Probably not many…Bet If they knew how much money the original artist publishing company can sue for they would reconsider the risk…Almost 8 months ago the band recorded our version of 4 cover songs. We intended to release them digital distribution only in April, but here we are in July and no release….I am quickly learning about the lengthy process of licensing music…We are blessed to have an ace music attorney guiding us through the process, but some folks go it alone…Check out the link below…http://http://www.vocalist.org.uk/recording_cover_songs.html

Video of the day…Yup..He’s the man