Compensating a sub if a gig gets cancelled?

[ByronE]

Hey all,

Wondering if I could get some input on the normal etiquette/damage control required when a gig that you've subbed to a fellow bassist gets cancelled.

A friend and bass playing colleague of mine who I respect greatly (and who sends me a lot of work) agreed to cover a date for me in early June. When the date was cancelled with a little over two weeks notice, I apologized profusely and he said not to worry because he found another date for that night.

Would it be appropriate to send him a check for the guarantee from the cancelled date even though he already found something else, or is this only expected when the cancellation is last-minute and the person is stuck at home without a gig?

[standupright]

pay him.

[barbe-et-hache]

Originally Posted by standupright

pay him.

or don't ask him to pay you if you cover a gig for him and the gig get canceled.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by ByronE

Hey all,

Wondering if I could get some input on the normal etiquette/damage control required when a gig that you've subbed to a fellow bassist gets cancelled.

A friend and bass playing colleague of mine who I respect greatly (and who sends me a lot of work) agreed to cover a date for me in early June. When the date was cancelled with a little over two weeks notice, I apologized profusely and he said not to worry because he found another date for that night.

Would it be appropriate to send him a check for the guarantee from the cancelled date even though he already found something else, or is this only expected when the cancellation is last-minute and the person is stuck at home without a gig?

IMO, the general rule is if the sub has found another gig for the night, you are off the hook. If he is stuck at home without a gig, half payment is considered a good thing to do.

[JmJ]

I had a similar situation, subbing for a gig that the original bass player found he could do but only one day before the show. The band leader said "I'll pay you half the rate if it turns out my guy can do it". In my case it involved a rehearsal (unpaid). I felt a little funny taking money for a gig I did not do but the band leader said It was cool as I had to "hold the date" ( I really had nothing scheduled that night). If it was two weeks notice AND he had another gig that day you shouldn't feel obligated as it did not cost him anything. Or pay him half........

[fdeck]

As a sub, I have been offered pay for gigs that get canceled. Usually I just let it slide, because I figure the goodwill is worth more in the long term than a couple bucks. Once in a while the band as a whole gets paid for a canceled gig, i.e., if they have a contract that's written that way, and then I am happy to take my share.