ive done a terrible thing, i have these gigs lined up and one is tonight, however both my band members have pulled out at the last moment leaving me stranded. therefore i cant do the gig, and i have to phone up now and try and explain to this guy. i feel so guilty letting him down like this. has anyone had similar experiences and how do you deal with it?
Sorry, only just seen this, but:
* you could try asking anyone on TheSession in your area (Edinburgh?) for help - stranger things have happened.
* do you know *any* other friends (or enemies!) who could/would substitute?
* do you know another band that might stand in?
* it would probably be better for your (and your band's) reputation if *you* can sort it out - even at the cost of breaking even or losing money
yes i've tried so hard i've been phoning people all day yesterday and all day today and have had no luck. i feel so bad. and you're right about the reputation thats going to be a big deal. the organisers will be furious all i can do is apologise now
This is not an uncommon situation. Some people have commitment phobia, and even when they've said they'll be there, something "more important" crops up. And then you have occasions where something unavoidable _does_ come up. Life happens.
I've also had it where a promoter advertised our band, even though he never confirmed it with anyone in the band. Years later, the promoter still holds that against us, even though it was his own fault.
Consider doing the gig yourself. Solo stuff isn't easy, but you might salvage the whole band's reputation. And you can play on the audience's sympathies--make a joke out of how your band mates left you stranded. What people want is entertainment--even if you fill half the time with funny patter, they'll be on your side.
Will could be on to something there - if you reckon you can fill the void.
I went to a folk weekend a few years ago where the main act didn't show. A local guy who hadn't performed for some time (it was Tony Capstick for those in the UK) happened to be in the audience and agreed to help the organisers out with a borrowed guitar.
I think he only played four or five songs in the whole set, and the rest was jokes, but it was fantastic. I reckon it turned out better than the main act would have been. And the audience really appreciated him all the more for stepping into the breech and saving the night.
I say if you've got the material (and the bottle to do it on yer tod), go for it! And good luck.
So Mike, let us know what happened, so we can at least learn from your troubles
I don't know that I've ever heard of a band that didn't run into these sorts of problems, especially when you have day jobs and families, etc. It helps to designate one (highly organized) person as the booking agent for the band, and then it's their job to get each band member's thumbs up and commitment to do each gig. Of course, you all need to sit down together and agree on what "commitment" means and how strict you want to be about it. It's crucial that everyone's expectations be clear and basically on the same page.
P.S. As a professional juggler in my younger days, I did a lot of solo gigs, but also sometimes worked with two other jugglers. The team shows had more razzle dazzle, and we could do things together that just aren't possible alone (um, passing clubs, say), but solo gigs allowed for much more give and take with the audience, and so were more rewarding for me as a performer. It's scarier, because you're more vulnerable in many ways going it alone--no one to cover your mistakes, no coasting while someone else carries the weight, no where to run if the crowd turns hostile or just never warms to your personality--but there's more freedom too. And no doubts or arguments about who earned the applause. The same works for musicians.
Well it all turned out fine in the end! i hired a guitarist at 5 oclock and we were off at 6! perfect and the crowd in the pub loved it, and we've been invited back, i'll just know who not to ask to play again!
what a relief
Happens all the time in Aberdeen Mike! Luckily most of the musicians know each other so there's a pool of possibles. Glad it went well, could be the start of a beautiful relationship....
I have purposefully kept around a dozen people in my band and rotated them around so everyone keeps up with the repertoire. That means I can always guarantee getting 3 or 4 from 12 at every gig and still have room for a deputy at short notice. Nevertheless, once or twice a year I still get a nightmare gig like the one mentioned where I am on the phone at teatime.
I keep a spreadsheet of who is playing at what and email/post a list around the band of who does what. I only list the gigs they are playing at so no one cribs about who gets how many gigs. They also understand that if they have to give backword at short notice, that they have to find a standin or contact me asap to organise one. They also know their card is marked if they let me down once too often.
I also try to leave spare slots to either try new musicians or to let youngsters and intermediates sit in with the band to gain experience. All musicians have a duty to give something back and encourage the musicians of the future.
Ah Geoff, a dozen rotating musicians in one band? A spreadsheet to account for them? That's one helluva lot of gigs !! Isn't money just wonderful? Fair play to you, young man.
Last year we did 40 odd dances - which doesn't leave many weekends free for workshops, other music or hearing anyone else play so it does mean that everyone else gets some free time. (Except me - I played at every one!!)
After 30 years in the same band, I ain't bored with it yet, because I make sure it is always moving forwards.
terrible terrible
terrible terrible
ive done a terrible thing, i have these gigs lined up and one is tonight, however both my band members have pulled out at the last moment leaving me stranded. therefore i cant do the gig, and i have to phone up now and try and explain to this guy. i feel so guilty letting him down like this. has anyone had similar experiences and how do you deal with it?
# Posted on May 1st 2004 by aye
Re: terrible terrible
Sorry, only just seen this, but:
* you could try asking anyone on TheSession in your area (Edinburgh?) for help - stranger things have happened.
* do you know *any* other friends (or enemies!) who could/would substitute?
* do you know another band that might stand in?
* it would probably be better for your (and your band's) reputation if *you* can sort it out - even at the cost of breaking even or losing money
# Posted on May 1st 2004 by Just a person
Re: terrible terrible
yes i've tried so hard i've been phoning people all day yesterday and all day today and have had no luck. i feel so bad. and you're right about the reputation thats going to be a big deal. the organisers will be furious all i can do is apologise now
# Posted on May 1st 2004 by aye
Re: terrible terrible
This is not an uncommon situation. Some people have commitment phobia, and even when they've said they'll be there, something "more important" crops up. And then you have occasions where something unavoidable _does_ come up. Life happens.
I've also had it where a promoter advertised our band, even though he never confirmed it with anyone in the band. Years later, the promoter still holds that against us, even though it was his own fault.
Consider doing the gig yourself. Solo stuff isn't easy, but you might salvage the whole band's reputation. And you can play on the audience's sympathies--make a joke out of how your band mates left you stranded. What people want is entertainment--even if you fill half the time with funny patter, they'll be on your side.
# Posted on May 1st 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: terrible terrible
Will could be on to something there - if you reckon you can fill the void.
I went to a folk weekend a few years ago where the main act didn't show. A local guy who hadn't performed for some time (it was Tony Capstick for those in the UK) happened to be in the audience and agreed to help the organisers out with a borrowed guitar.
I think he only played four or five songs in the whole set, and the rest was jokes, but it was fantastic. I reckon it turned out better than the main act would have been. And the audience really appreciated him all the more for stepping into the breech and saving the night.
I say if you've got the material (and the bottle to do it on yer tod), go for it! And good luck.
Eno
# Posted on May 1st 2004 by bc_box_player
Re: terrible terrible
So Mike, let us know what happened, so we can at least learn from your troubles
I don't know that I've ever heard of a band that didn't run into these sorts of problems, especially when you have day jobs and families, etc. It helps to designate one (highly organized) person as the booking agent for the band, and then it's their job to get each band member's thumbs up and commitment to do each gig. Of course, you all need to sit down together and agree on what "commitment" means and how strict you want to be about it. It's crucial that everyone's expectations be clear and basically on the same page.
# Posted on May 1st 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: terrible terrible
P.S. As a professional juggler in my younger days, I did a lot of solo gigs, but also sometimes worked with two other jugglers. The team shows had more razzle dazzle, and we could do things together that just aren't possible alone (um, passing clubs, say), but solo gigs allowed for much more give and take with the audience, and so were more rewarding for me as a performer. It's scarier, because you're more vulnerable in many ways going it alone--no one to cover your mistakes, no coasting while someone else carries the weight, no where to run if the crowd turns hostile or just never warms to your personality--but there's more freedom too. And no doubts or arguments about who earned the applause. The same works for musicians.
# Posted on May 1st 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: terrible terrible
Well it all turned out fine in the end! i hired a guitarist at 5 oclock and we were off at 6! perfect and the crowd in the pub loved it, and we've been invited back, i'll just know who not to ask to play again!
what a relief
# Posted on May 1st 2004 by aye
Re: terrible terrible
Glad it worked out Mike. Happened to me twice and just managed to get someone at the last minute. Bodhr
# Posted on May 2nd 2004 by Joe Quinn
Re: terrible terrible
Good on you Mike!
# Posted on May 2nd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: terrible terrible
Happens all the time in Aberdeen Mike! Luckily most of the musicians know each other so there's a pool of possibles. Glad it went well, could be the start of a beautiful relationship....
# Posted on May 2nd 2004 by Bren
Re: terrible terrible
So you already contacted everybody who expressed an interest in working with you?
# Posted on May 2nd 2004 by allan21
Re: terrible terrible
I have purposefully kept around a dozen people in my band and rotated them around so everyone keeps up with the repertoire. That means I can always guarantee getting 3 or 4 from 12 at every gig and still have room for a deputy at short notice. Nevertheless, once or twice a year I still get a nightmare gig like the one mentioned where I am on the phone at teatime.
I keep a spreadsheet of who is playing at what and email/post a list around the band of who does what. I only list the gigs they are playing at so no one cribs about who gets how many gigs. They also understand that if they have to give backword at short notice, that they have to find a standin or contact me asap to organise one. They also know their card is marked if they let me down once too often.
I also try to leave spare slots to either try new musicians or to let youngsters and intermediates sit in with the band to gain experience. All musicians have a duty to give something back and encourage the musicians of the future.
# Posted on May 3rd 2004 by geoffwright
Re: terrible terrible
Ah Geoff, a dozen rotating musicians in one band? A spreadsheet to account for them? That's one helluva lot of gigs !! Isn't money just wonderful?
Fair play to you, young man.
Jim
# Posted on May 3rd 2004 by Worldfiddler
Re: terrible terrible
Last year we did 40 odd dances - which doesn't leave many weekends free for workshops, other music or hearing anyone else play so it does mean that everyone else gets some free time. (Except me - I played at every one!!)
After 30 years in the same band, I ain't bored with it yet, because I make sure it is always moving forwards.
# Posted on May 4th 2004 by geoffwright