If you are an opening act, recognize and mention the band you are opening for at the end of your set. Everyone will get along that much better.

If you are the headlining band, recognize and mention the opening act – they will appreciate it.

New bands: learn what a "sound check" really is. Everyone does not need to be onstage at the same time. Check one instrument at a time (at the soundman’s request), then run through half of a song. Short sound check = happy gig.

There’s always someone better than you, or worse than you, or at the very least different from you. Apply the principles of Desiderata in your dealings with other musicians and industry professionals.

Since you say you support local music, try booking local bands to open for national or even regional acts. Those national acts were local bands at one time, too.

Hire competent soundmen. Even if you just opened and funds are low, hire the best and most-experienced person you can.

If you are going to have a local music program, please hire hosts whose musical tastes aren’t colored by their libidos. If you look good in tight leather pants and sound strikingly similar to Rage Against the Machine, more power to ya. I personally don’t look all that hot in shiny black pants, and I can’t rap. I still want airplay, though.

While on this subject, I’d like to share a sub-list of my favorite - as in least- Really Dumb Things Said By Local Music Program Hosts (who shall remain nameless):

• "Yeah, send us free stuff. That’ll definitely get you on the air!"
• "Gosh, those guys are so hot!"
• "If you don’t have a gig coming up, don’t send us a CD and expect us to play it. We support performing local artists." Yeah – by the neck.
• "We’ve got lots of different stuff for you tonight."
• "Boy, those guys are hot!"

By the way, I mean no disrespect to leather pants or Rage Against the Machine.