I don't even gig, but I'm pretty sure Bermuda is spot on. If I were, however, trying to feed myself by playing drums, I would look at it from "whole package" perspective. Technique, versatility, musicianship, and the ability to be a self-marketing machine....all rolled into one.
But if I had to narrow it down to one single trait, I would say versatility. When I think of the guys who are really "in it", I think of guys like Anton Fig, Sean Pelton, whoever is the American Idol house band drummer, etc. Those guys have to be able to shift from jazz to funk to hard rock to country to R&B to blues...all in the same night.
Networking is key. The guys I know who work full time as drummers spend as much time networking as they do practicing. And in retrospect, lack-of-great networking this is the #1 reason I sit behind a desk instead of a drum kit for a living.
And then you have to be someone people want to be around. Most gigs come from recommendations. People recommenced who they want to hang out with. People hire people they want out hang out with.
From there, confidence. If you play confident, people feel good about your playing.
I always give this advice - be a musician, not a drummer.
.... if you cut the cheese instead of cutting the mustard, you will be beaten out by the equally nice guy who can play.
Russ Miller was the drummer from AI. I believe he's endorsing Saturns now too.
I always give this advice - be a musician, not a drummer.
Bermuda