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You Want a Song with That?

No more fries for Lenny Morris, he’s got a knack for the music biz.
No more fries for Lenny Morris, he’s got a knack for the music biz.

“I’ve managed to generate a very sustainable income in less than a year as a full-time musician,” says singer/songwriter Lenny Morris, “playing three to four shows a week for private events, upscale restaurants, and wine bistros.”

Until this past April, Morris wore a paper hat and apron at In-N-Out Burger. “I was laid off three times, from three jobs in three years. I accepted a paltry position and hourly pay at In-N-Out after I became desperate.... My starting pay was $10 an hour. I was there for two years and became miserable. I realized I could make more money working a fraction of the hours doing what I love to do.”

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He began playing solo acoustic sets for Listen Local showcases at House of Blues and the Stage Bar and Grill, as well as landing a Wednesday residency at Mosaic Wine Bar. “The more free I was during the day, the more time I had pounce on opportunities by answering and writing emails, making calls, and [self-]marketing. I usually spend time online finding new restaurants or venues that might not have music.... Since I designed and run my website daily, and my calendar is always updated, it helps to have a full calendar when trying to convince an upscale restaurant to pay you.”

He says intensive follow-ups have been the key. “Music is probably the last thing on a restaurants priority list, so sometimes it takes ten classy and nonabrasive calls or emails to get someone to take notice. Plus, most restaurants and private events require you to provide your own sound. I have a PA system that works for anything as small as a house reception to a large venue.”

Morris writes his songs on an acoustic guitar, which he began playing at age 12. His debut EP, Lenny Morris Music, was released last November. “I think there’s kind of an ‘indie’ attitude that limits people. I’ve been criticized simply because I make good money playing music for private events and restaurants. But I’m able to comfortably pay my bills.

“I don’t think a lot of people have the patience for the business side. Most musicians just want to play music.”

Band songs

Lenny Morris III

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Lenny Morris appears at the House of Blues on August 19.

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No more fries for Lenny Morris, he’s got a knack for the music biz.
No more fries for Lenny Morris, he’s got a knack for the music biz.

“I’ve managed to generate a very sustainable income in less than a year as a full-time musician,” says singer/songwriter Lenny Morris, “playing three to four shows a week for private events, upscale restaurants, and wine bistros.”

Until this past April, Morris wore a paper hat and apron at In-N-Out Burger. “I was laid off three times, from three jobs in three years. I accepted a paltry position and hourly pay at In-N-Out after I became desperate.... My starting pay was $10 an hour. I was there for two years and became miserable. I realized I could make more money working a fraction of the hours doing what I love to do.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

He began playing solo acoustic sets for Listen Local showcases at House of Blues and the Stage Bar and Grill, as well as landing a Wednesday residency at Mosaic Wine Bar. “The more free I was during the day, the more time I had pounce on opportunities by answering and writing emails, making calls, and [self-]marketing. I usually spend time online finding new restaurants or venues that might not have music.... Since I designed and run my website daily, and my calendar is always updated, it helps to have a full calendar when trying to convince an upscale restaurant to pay you.”

He says intensive follow-ups have been the key. “Music is probably the last thing on a restaurants priority list, so sometimes it takes ten classy and nonabrasive calls or emails to get someone to take notice. Plus, most restaurants and private events require you to provide your own sound. I have a PA system that works for anything as small as a house reception to a large venue.”

Morris writes his songs on an acoustic guitar, which he began playing at age 12. His debut EP, Lenny Morris Music, was released last November. “I think there’s kind of an ‘indie’ attitude that limits people. I’ve been criticized simply because I make good money playing music for private events and restaurants. But I’m able to comfortably pay my bills.

“I don’t think a lot of people have the patience for the business side. Most musicians just want to play music.”

Band songs

Lenny Morris III

More

Lenny Morris appears at the House of Blues on August 19.

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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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