Weekend Broward Blog: Women Rockers of Broward County

This week, I present part two of a three part series showcasing experienced female band members who have agreed to answer a few questions from yours truly about what it's like to live the wild life in their shoes. This week, we feature Maria Doty of the "The Double Standard".

WC: What is your day job and what do you like to do when you’re not working or playing with the band?

MD: I've been working in the managed care healthcare insurance field for about 20 years and am currently the Director of Enrollment for a company in Dade County. My department is responsible for the enrollment of Medicare, Medicaid and Commercial lines of business.

When I am not working during the week or playing out, I get to do some of my favorite things which are cooking, I happened to be pretty good at it, visiting with my family and grandkids who live on Florida's West Coast, going on cruises (I've been to more than 20 islands/countries in the Caribbean/South America) and the New Orleans Jazz festival.

WC: If you could give up your daytime job and make enough money to survive by playing with your band more often in more places, would you do it?

MD: Well, my immediate answer would be yes, except that when you say "enough to survive" makes me think twice before I answer. I can't tell you how much enjoyment I truly feel when I am up there singing and really belting one out. When you know you are reaching anyone that is listening because you "feel" what you are singing. Not to mention when someone comes up to you and says, "Wow, you gave me goose bumps!", or "Man, you can tell you were singing from your heart". That is when you know you did your job. That is really rewarding.

However, I do like my job and I worked very hard to get where I am and honestly enjoy the "perks" that it not only provides me but those that I love. That being said, if I somehow had the opportunity to do the music and make at least enough to survive and bit extra than yes, Let's Rock and Roll!

WC: What advice would you give to other women who are interested in joining a band?

MD: If you are single, there's not too much to think about. You will meet plenty of people of all types. I'd say make sure you like the people you are playing with. You will spend a lot of time with them. Make sure it's fun. For me it has to be fun. I know some of us do it to earn a living but like anything else you have to enjoy it.
If you are in a relationship it can become difficult, especially if your significant other isn't in the biz. Let's face it you have to "schmooze" and mingle and some men can't handle that attention on their significant other. For the record, it works the other way around too if you are a male in a band that is in a relationship. The jealousy monster isn't gender specific..lol!

In my band, my husband is my drummer and I am lucky in that we do not have any issues in this area. This arrangement works for us. It can be tough for a woman in this business. As I said I am lucky to have my husband Chuck as my drummer, a funny, nutty bass player Billy Bier who is like the obnoxious brother you love and my guitar player Joe Gatermann who has been my longtime musical partner in crime for more than 10 years.

WC: How do feel about the late hours?

Well that's pretty much the way it is. For me it has to be weekends. It's nice to have some days but the party is usually on at night. Fridays are especially difficult for me. I wake up for work at 5-5:30am and get home about 7pm, then "change hats" into rock and roll mode, get ready, go to set up which thankfully my drummer/husband Chuck takes care of with help from our Roadie in-training Alex, and of course Billy and Joe. Then it's do the sets, we do 3 one hour(+) sets, and have some fun. By the end of the night after breaking down and winding down, I get home around 4am. That makes it a 23 hour day so needless to say I am toast. Although at times it is hard to get going, once you are there the adrenaline kicks in and if you honestly, truly love it, you'll feel it was worth it. I do!

WC: Thank you Maria for sharing with us all today. Keep on Rockin!