Hey there.

The idea is similar to the iTunes touchtunes app, except for live musicians. Specifically for cover bands.

Here's how it would work:

A rock cover band typically plays 3-4 hours gigs at a local bar. This band is able to play anywhere from 50 to 100 songs. With this app, the band would upload their song list via spreadsheet to the app.

Then, a patron in the bar hears this cover band and would like to request a song. Normally, this person would walk up to the band and ask if they play "Free Bird" or some other song. If the band agrees, it is usually customary for the patron to leave a cash tip of a couple of dollars, let's say $5.

Instead of doing the above, the patron would download the app, find the musician, browse the set list, and then pick a song from the list. There would then be a small charge, maybe $2 or $3. The musician would be notified that a request was made via an alert, and then play the requested song sometime during the set. It is very common for musicians to have ipads or other electronic devices on stage during a performance. These are often used as digital sheet music or for lyrics. This app would eliminate the need for a patron to ask "do you play Free Bird?" He could instead just download the app and look himself at what songs the band is able to play and then pick from the list. Once the song has been requested, it is removed or "grayed out" from the list, indicating to patrons that it has already been played or requested. This would ensure that a song is not played repeatedly.

The musician would have a "band ID" (for example, a 9 digit number) assigned when signing up for the app, a unique identifier that would allow the patron to search for the band on the app by entering the ID number. So instead of searching for "Jimmy's Rock Band", you just punch in the number.

I was also thinking of a voting system that would allow patrons in the bar to vote on the next song to be played by bidding 50 cents for example. So, the musician would put out a poll of two or more songs and ask the audience to vote on the song. He could announce this over the mic also. Then, the winning song is paid for by multiple patrons chipping in a small amount like $.50. If your song did not win the poll, you owe nothing. Another feature would be a "premium request". This request would cost $1 to $2 more additional and would allow the requested song to be moved to the top of the list to be played next. Touch tunes has a similar feature.

All payments would basically be done automatically by having the users link credit cards and/or paypal accounts.

There would also be functionality to simply tip. Also, the patron could pay for a "shout out", whereby he/she leaves his name when requesting a song. The band would then say "this next song called Free Bird was requested by Jane Doe" or "this one goes out to Jane Doe." It's just another way for the audience to get involved. Also, the app might serve as a way for a patron to follow the band. This would be done through the band keeping an up to date show schedule uploaded to the app. Then, if there is an upcoming show near the patron, he/she would be notified. These are just thoughts beyond the basics I described above. Really, I would just be looking for the "upload a list, pick from a list" functionality in the MVP.

In terms of being monetized, I would take a small cut of each tip/request, say 3%.

So, what do you think? Could this be done and how easy would it be? What of the additional features would be the hardest?

Let me know if you have any questions. I hope I have explained it well enough.

Thanks.

-Chris