A message from the founder
I’ve been a hard working, performing musician for 40 years. I’ve seen the best musical talents of my generation struggling to make car payments and running themselves ragged chasing gigs and being undervalued and exploited.
I founded A Musical Surprise as a tool to change the game for musicians. I want our artists to feel like beloved stars, make excellent money in their spare time, and never feel confused or hassled.
I’ve engineered every aspect of this company, the website, and the delivery to be as simple, automated, and excellent as any world-class corporation. My goal is to be the Uber of the high-end Celebration Messenger industry.
As a boutique operation, we limit our roster to 10 artists per city and select a variety of styles and acts so each artist stands out and can expect more bookings without feeling in competition. We also pay all artists the same amount so there's no wondering about "who's getting paid what". Our goal is to foster an environment of joy and success.
Thank you for being exceptional and sharing your gift with the world. I promise to always put your best interests first and always have your back.
Let’s soar together!
Sincerely,
Jay Young
Founder / CEO
Jaybird Empire LLC
DBA A Musical Surprise
Artist FAQ
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My contact info: Jay Young. (210)788-5411. Call or text me directly with any questions or concerns.
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Total Pay Rate per show
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Standard $150
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Mini-concert $200
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Safety
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If you feel unsafe at any time, leave immediately. If it’s an emergency, call 911. Call me at (210) 788-5411 and I will ensure you get paid in full and I will follow up with the customer personally. Your safety is the most important thing.
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Tips
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Do not solicit tips, but if they offer you can accept tips. Tips are always 100% yours and do not need to be reported to me.
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Encores
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Do not solicit an “encore”. If you play a standard 5 minute show and the customer requests an encore, you may stay and perform up to 5 additional minutes and take a cash tip for it. It’s at your discretion entirely and does not need to be reported to me or processed through the website.
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If you play a 10 minute mini-concert, please decline a further encore.
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DO NOT STAY LONGER THAN 10 MINUTES TOTAL. If you stay after your performance, it becomes a liability risk for the customer, you, and the entire business.
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Booking additional shows and handing out your information
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If customers want your information and want to book you for anything other than A Musical Surprise, that’s completely up to you. In fact, I hope you book your own personal shows as a result - I want you to thrive and have independence as an artist!
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Dress code
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Just dress nice and clean. Dress to make a great impression and show your style. Your smile is your most important accessory.
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Gift bags
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Make sure to sign a greeting and your name on the bag using the gold pen provided.
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Restocking - I will load you up with gift bags and track your shows. When you’re down to your last bag I will deliver more to you. If you’re going through them quickly, I’ll give you larger quantities.
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Performance protocol
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Arrive a few minutes early. Use your artist bag to hold your keys, purse, business cards, extra picks, etc.
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Arrive smiling, bearing your artist bag with logo so people immediately understand what's happening and that you're not a salesman or a stranger.
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Announce yourself. "Hello! I'm [your name] here with a musical surprise for [client's name] from [sender's name]."
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Be sensitive to the environment. If the person is on the phone, if dogs are barking, if there's chaos, just be patient and wait for things to settle down before proceeding. Just smile gracefully.
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If it's a home or someone's office, ask if you can enter.
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Repeat your greeting (if it wasn't the client who answered the door). If you can, it's good to write the greeting on the gift bag and sign it, and just read from the gift bag.
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Gently hand the client the gift bag and make sure everyone is comfortable. It's better if everyone is seated and you're standing in the middle. Do not crowd the customer's personal space.
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Light up the room with your performance and roll with any distractions - that's why you were chosen for this, because you're awesome and you can handle yourself like a professional.
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Thank them for having you. Take tips and give your info if appropriate. Leave immediately.
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Requesting pay
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After a show, use Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal to request payment. You can scan the QR codes I provide or search JaybirdEmpireLLC or JaybirdEmpire@gmail.com or (210)788-5411. I will approve the payment ASAP, and always within 24 hours.
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Please note, payments will be requested and paid from Jaybird Empire LLC for all services rendered through the DBA "A Musical Surprise".
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Customer cancellations
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If it’s more than 24 hours in advance, I issue the customer a 75% refund and remove the booking from your calendar.
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If it’s less than 24 hours, you still get paid 100% and don’t have to do anything and the booking is removed from your calendar.
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Artist cancellations
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Because customers can pick a specific artist, it can be a disappointment if we need to find another artist and it’s also a manual process. If you need to cancel a show, call me asap at (210)788-5411 and I will handle it. If it's just an issue of transportation the day of the show, I will try to arrange for a ride or Uber for you.
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If cancellations become recurring you will be removed from the roster.
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Taxes
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All artists fill out a W9. If you are paid more than $2,000 in a calendar year, I will issue you a 1099 for your tax records.
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Independent Contractor Agreement
By signing up to be an artist with "A Musical Surprise", you agree to the following Contractor Agreement.
A Musical Surprise
A DBA of Jaybird Empire LLC
This Independent Contractor Agreement (“Agreement”) is between Jaybird Empire LLC, doing business as A Musical Surprise (“Company”) and the undersigned performer (“Contractor”).
1. Independent Contractor Status
Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, or agent of the Company. Contractor is responsible for determining how the contracted performance services are performed, subject to the agreed-upon performance requirements and customer expectations.
Contractor is responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes arising from payments received under this Agreement. The Company will not withhold payroll taxes or provide employee benefits.
Contractor is free to perform services for other businesses and customers.
2. Services
Contractor agrees to provide musical telegram and related entertainment services accepted by Contractor through the Company’s booking system or otherwise agreed upon.
Contractor agrees to accept individual performance opportunities based on availability which the Contractor maintains in the site's calendar.
Contractor agrees to provide professional, courteous, and reliable service to customers and to arrive appropriately prepared for accepted engagements.
3. Compensation
Contractor will be paid according to the compensation amount or formula established by the Company and communicated to Contractor for each accepted booking.
Payments will generally be made within 24 hours for completed performances, unless otherwise agreed.
Contractor will not be paid for bookings that are canceled or not completed except as specifically provided by the applicable booking terms or otherwise agreed by the Company.
4. Expenses & Travel
Contractor is responsible for ordinary expenses associated with performing the services, including transportation, personal equipment, and other normal business expenses, unless the Company specifically agrees otherwise.
Any special travel fees or reimbursable expenses must be approved in advance.
5. Customer & Booking Information
Customer information, addresses, phone numbers, messages, and other booking information provided to Contractor are confidential business information.
Contractor agrees to use such information only for performing the contracted service and will not use it to solicit Company customers for competing services.
6. Cancellations & Substitutions
Contractor agrees to promptly notify the Company if they become unable to perform an accepted booking.
Contractor may not independently cancel, transfer, or substitute a performance without notifying the Company and receiving approval when reasonably possible.
The Company may attempt to arrange another qualified performer when necessary.
7. Professional Conduct
Contractor agrees to maintain professional conduct while representing A Musical Surprise.
Contractor may refuse or discontinue a performance if the environment is unsafe, threatening, abusive, or otherwise presents a reasonable safety concern.
8. Equipment & Appearance
Unless otherwise agreed, Contractor is responsible for providing the equipment, clothing, transportation, and other materials reasonably necessary to perform the contracted services.
Contractor agrees to maintain a clean, professional, and appropriate appearance for performances.
9. Confidentiality
Contractor agrees not to disclose confidential Company, customer, pricing, booking, or business information except as necessary to perform contracted services or as required by law.
10. Intellectual Property & Branding
Contractor may use the A Musical Surprise name, logo, or promotional materials only as authorized by the Company in connection with contracted services.
Contractor may not represent themselves as an owner, employee, or authorized representative of Jaybird Empire LLC except as specifically authorized.
Contractor may promote and advertise their services as A Musical Surprise artist and use branding for said purpose.
11. Insurance & Responsibility
Contractor is responsible for maintaining any insurance, licenses, permits, or registrations legally required for Contractor’s business or services.
Contractor is responsible for their own acts and omissions in performing services.
12. Termination
Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing written notice.
Termination does not eliminate either party’s responsibility for obligations arising from bookings already accepted or services already performed.
13. No Guarantee of Work
Nothing in this Agreement guarantees Contractor any minimum number of bookings, hours, or amount of compensation.
Contractor is free to accept or decline available engagements.
14. Governing Law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Texas.
15. Entire Agreement
This Agreement represents the understanding between the parties regarding the Contractor’s services and may be amended in writing by the parties.