What a load of crap

[standupright]

So, our group was asked and we agreed to host a benefit blues jam for a non profit animal rescue foundation. i enjoy being able to do something that i love for those in need, and have no problem what so ever donating my time. We / I do a bunch of benefits every year for various organizations UNICEF / Cancer....etc.

now remember what was resquested was for us to host an OPEN BLUES JAM, and to notify everyone in our extended email/mailing list of so in order to increase attandance. ok, no problem.

So i just got a call from my guitard player about the following-

1. All musicians showing up to donate their time by playing music will still be required to pay the $15 donation at the door. With the exception of those in our group.

2. The festivities start in Noon and go till 10pm and they have now idea when they would like us to start, but would like us to be there at 11am.

3. Loud music scares animals (duh), so we need to play at a volume below conversation level. (BLUES JAM)

There's some other non relevant things but.....what in the hell. i can't ask other members of the blues community out here to not only show up and donate their time playing music, but to also donate their wallet as well. nor do i feel like hanging out all day and all nite. and the level of music? sure if was acoustic blues hour....maybe they should have considered a jazz ensemble or maybe a string quartet.

i am just floored at how inconsiderate all of this seems.....am i out of line for wanting to cancel?

/rant

[standupright]

btw the event is 3 weeks away

[Josh Ryan]

Try and work something more sensible out. It seems like the planing was a bit, off, or lacking.

[DaveF]

It sounds like the organizers are kind of n00bs. Maybe they don't really understand how blues bands work? I would communicate your concerns with them and try to get a better "deal", so to speak.

[Stinsok]

I'd bail on that one. Your time/trouble is worth a heck of a lot more than 15.00.

[standupright]

Originally Posted by Blisshead

Try and work something more sensible out. It seems like the planing was a bit, off, or lacking.

Originally Posted by DaveF

It sounds like the organizers are kind of n00bs. Maybe they don't really understand how blues bands work? I would communicate your concerns with them and try to get a better "deal", so to speak.

yeah, apparently my guitard player who has been dealing with them from the start said that it's the board of directors that are not budging with the event coordinator.....seems to be at a standstill.

i don't know. we have rehearsal tonight and will most deffintely talking about it.

[standupright]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

I'd bail on that one. Your time/trouble is worth a heck of a lot more than 15.00.

i don't know if you got that backwards or not......but they want the musicians to pay the 15 dollar door fee to get in, not the other way around.

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by DaveF

It sounds like the organizers are kind of n00bs. Maybe they don't really understand how blues bands work? I would communicate your concerns with them and try to get a better "deal", so to speak.

Whew!! Boy are there some major "holes" in that directive you got from the event planners... Sounds like they need a serious education plus some 'reality' checks and balances. I'd be pretty free with my usage of the words: "no" and "not possible".. and if thats too strong then try using "not advisable" and "unrealistic"... And don't let it become too much of a back-and-forth negociation either.. For me personally, I'd only reply ONCE with MY terms of participation.

[OliverH]

I would tell them you need firm starting and ending times for each band, and they can forget about the $15 entry fee for musicians unless they would like to pay each person their own hourly rate for being there instead of getting them for free.

Seriously, for them to get a lot of good musicians for free and then impose stupid things like these on you - tell them to cram it unless they are prepared to be reasonable. If you are not worried about burning bridges I'd pull out if they can't act sensibly.

[The Golden Boy]

I've got my hackles raised from the use of the "guitard" word.

It's an ignorant and insulting word, and it makes the user appear ignorant.

About the benefit.

I have to preface this. I'm not a part of the "jam" scene. If I go to a "jam," it's either to play, see a friend playing or I'm out to drink and there just happens to be a jam there. I don't consider playing at a jam as a "gig" unless you're in the host band.

It's a benefit. The people that show up to play that aren't in the host band are attendees. I don't know how anyone else is, but I see the draw to jams is musicians. I wouldn't want to fork out a cover to see a bunch of unrehearsed guys play off the cuff covers. I would, however, fork out a donation to help out a worthy cause AND the opportunity to play.

I don't see the volume constraint as a problem. It's a benefit. The volume limits would be about the same as if you were performing at a restaurant at dinner time. Just as you're more like ambient noise to dinner patrons- you're more of an added extra draw than entertainment. People will be attending the benefit because of the cause of the benefit, not to see a bunch of unrehearsed guys playing off the cuff covers.

If'n it were me, I'd like to have a more defined time nailed down, but if the area were secure, I wouldn't have a problem in having my gear there at 11 and show up around "showtime."

If it's unacceptable to you- then don't do it. I don't see a heck of a lot to complain about- This is about the animals, not about you. And that's the bottom line.

[mrokern]

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

I've got my hackles raised from the use of the "guitard" word.

It's an ignorant and insulting word, and it makes the user appear ignorant.

About the benefit.

I have to preface this. I'm not a part of the "jam" scene. If I go to a "jam," it's either to play, see a friend playing or I'm out to drink and there just happens to be a jam there. I don't consider playing at a jam as a "gig" unless you're in the host band.

It's a benefit. The people that show up to play that aren't in the host band are attendees. I don't know how anyone else is, but I see the draw to jams is musicians. I wouldn't want to fork out a cover to see a bunch of unrehearsed guys play off the cuff covers. I would, however, fork out a donation to help out a worthy cause AND the opportunity to play.

I don't see the volume constraint as a problem. It's a benefit. The volume limits would be about the same as if you were performing at a restaurant at dinner time. Just as you're more like ambient noise to dinner patrons- you're more of an added extra draw than entertainment. People will be attending the benefit because of the cause of the benefit, not to see a bunch of unrehearsed guys playing off the cuff covers.

If'n it were me, I'd like to have a more defined time nailed down, but if the area were secure, I wouldn't have a problem in having my gear there at 11 and show up around "showtime."

If it's unacceptable to you- then don't do it. I don't see a heck of a lot to complain about- This is about the animals, not about you. And that's the bottom line.

Offended by guitard? You've been around here a good long while, you haven't gotten numb to it yet?

I'm coming from an event and production point of view, and I've got to agree with the OP and you at the same time...in a way. This is one of those times when a PROFESSIONAL event coordinator needs to set realistic expectations with the client. I usually find cluster-frigs like this when the event coordinator is some wanna-be relative of a board member who plans weddings at the local church on the side.

I agree with you that none of the restraints are uncalled for in and of themselves...heck, I see the point of almost, if not all of them...but they are beyond a reasonable expectation for a BLUES JAM. The event coordinator should be telling the client that they will not achieve a satisfactory result with their current plan, and need to modify either the plan or their expectations.

-Mark

[standupright]

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

I've got my hackles raised from the use of the "guitard" word.

It's an ignorant and insulting word, and it makes the user appear ignorant.

About the benefit.

I have to preface this. I'm not a part of the "jam" scene. If I go to a "jam," it's either to play, see a friend playing or I'm out to drink and there just happens to be a jam there. I don't consider playing at a jam as a "gig" unless you're in the host band.

It's a benefit. The people that show up to play that aren't in the host band are attendees. I don't know how anyone else is, but I see the draw to jams is musicians. I wouldn't want to fork out a cover to see a bunch of unrehearsed guys play off the cuff covers. I would, however, fork out a donation to help out a worthy cause AND the opportunity to play.

I don't see the volume constraint as a problem. It's a benefit. The volume limits would be about the same as if you were performing at a restaurant at dinner time. Just as you're more like ambient noise to dinner patrons- you're more of an added extra draw than entertainment. People will be attending the benefit because of the cause of the benefit, not to see a bunch of unrehearsed guys playing off the cuff covers.

If'n it were me, I'd like to have a more defined time nailed down, but if the area were secure, I wouldn't have a problem in having my gear there at 11 and show up around "showtime."

If it's unacceptable to you- then don't do it. I don't see a heck of a lot to complain about- This is about the animals, not about you. And that's the bottom line.

thanks for not getting it....and i truly appreciate your waste of time typing out a response. maybe next time before responding, you could take the time to read the post, and then re-read it after typing your reply before hitting the post button.

[standupright]

Originally Posted by mrokern

Offended by guitard? You've been around here a good long while, you haven't gotten numb to it yet?

I'm coming from an event and production point of view, and I've got to agree with the OP and you at the same time...in a way. This is one of those times when a PROFESSIONAL event coordinator needs to set realistic expectations with the client. I usually find cluster-frigs like this when the event coordinator is some wanna-be relative of a board member who plans weddings at the local church on the side.

I agree with you that none of the restraints are uncalled for in and of themselves...heck, I see the point of almost, if not all of them...but they are beyond a reasonable expectation for a BLUES JAM. The event coordinator should be telling the client that they will not achieve a satisfactory result with their current plan, and need to modify either the plan or their expectations.

-Mark

thank you....you realized my point. if i was coordinating this, and was given the constraints that i couldn't overcome, then i would have called my jazz buddies and had a great low volume gig that was laid back.

amongst other things

[Phalex]

Having people who show up to play is bad form IMHO. I think canceling is out of line though. Play the event, and don't expect a lot of other folks to join you on the "open" stage.

[mjolnir]

If it weren't a blues jam I'd wonder what the big deal is, but I can definitely understand the OP's point. You don't organize an open blues jam (heavy emphasis on the words "open" and "blues"...) and tell people they not only have to pay to get up on stage and jam, but they have to turn a 12 bar of all things down to a whisper while they do it.

I do agree with Phalex however. It'd be bad form to cancel.

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by mjolnir

If it weren't a blues jam I'd wonder what the big deal is, but I can definitely understand the OP's point.

Then the OP's band, knowing what they are all about should have clarified that point very strongly with the benefit coordinator (who may not have known) prior to taking the gig, which might have helped to avoid this perceived cluster-****.

Still preferable for the organisers to be on top of it.

Here's hoping the gig still turns out to be a fun one and muchas dollero's are raised for the cause in question.

Originally Posted by mjolnir

You don't organize an open blues jam (heavy emphasis on the words "open" and "blues"...) and tell people they not only have to pay to get up on stage and jam, but they have to turn a 12 bar of all things down to a whisper while they do it.

Re: the quote above. Since I'm not sure, can you clarify who the first you (in bold) is meant to represent?

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by standupright

thanks for not getting it....and i truly appreciate your waste of time typing out a response. maybe next time before responding, you could take the time to read the post, and then re-read it after typing your reply before hitting the post button.

Plenty of thought went into that, and plenty of proofreading.

What do I not "get?"

From what you've posted, you're upset because:

1. Jam attendees have to pay the same donation anyone else pays.

2. They want you on call from 1100 to 2200.

3. There's serious volume constraints.

Originally Posted by standupright

thank you....you realized my point. if i was coordinating this, and was given the constraints that i couldn't overcome, then i would have called my jazz buddies and had a great low volume gig that was laid back.

amongst other things

Again, it's not about you, your band, or anyone that chooses to perform- it's a benefit for an animal shelter. You're not really "entertainment," you're part of the draw.

[mjolnir]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

Re: the quote above. Since I'm not sure, can you clarify who the first you (in bold) is meant to represent?

Not anyone in the thread. I guess I type how I talk sometimes... "You" is meant to signify the event organizers, kind of a general statement on musical organization common sense.

[The Golden Boy]

Originally Posted by mrokern

Offended by guitard? You've been around here a good long while, you haven't gotten numb to it yet?

It's a fairly recent phenomenon. It's always been "around," just not as ignorantly prolific as it's been in the past year or so.

[mjolnir]

It's harmless fun, what's the big deal? There's nothing wrong with a little good-natured poking at a stereotype.

Unless yer one of the types who gets offended when someone calls him a "basshole"...