Bailed on one gig to do another

[62Jazzbass]

OK - Short version.

I bailed on a no pay (only bar tab and a meal) gig with my main band (I'm a co-founder, band has been gigging for a couple of years) to do a gig with another band. I started as a sub with this guy, but have turned into the guys first call bass player.

The gig in question is a national radio show on NPR, we get to do three songs. Two day trip, paid travel and hotel, etc.

While I hate bailing on the commitment I had with my band, and the bar, this was a big opportunity. As a weekend warrior type bar band player, I felt it was the right call.......not gonna get a chance like this every day.

Your thoughts?

[Matt R.]

What's the issue? You did what you needed to do.

[elgecko]

Did you set up a sub for your main band or does that gig get canceled by default?

[Bassmickeyd]

Maybe I didn't follow, You had a gig that paid nothing but a liquid lunch and you took it over a gig you we're getting paid travel and playing live on PBS/NRP? ..... If that's the truth I'd say you picked the right gig brother. ..... And at the end of the day that's all that matters.

[stinger12345]

Thus is the only problem I see arising when playing in multiple bands. I see no foul on your part...although depending on how long before the gig you bailed, you may have some sour bandmates...

[walterw]

if any of the other guys seriously bitch about you blowing off a bar non-gig (no pay=not a gig in my book) to play on freakin' nation-wide radio, you should laugh heartily and then never play with them ever again.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by 62Jazzbass

OK - Short version.

I bailed on a no pay (only bar tab and a meal) gig with my main band (I'm a co-founder, band has been gigging for a couple of years) to do a gig with another band. I started as a sub with this guy, but have turned into the guys first call bass player.

The gig in question is a national radio show on NPR, we get to do three songs. Two day trip, paid travel and hotel, etc.

While I hate bailing on the commitment I had with my band, and the bar, this was a big opportunity. As a weekend warrior type bar band player, I felt it was the right call.......not gonna get a chance like this every day.

Your thoughts?

make sure we get links/pix....rules is rules....no links/pix no npr gig.....but seriously folks if this gig asks you to go with them for this,other dates may be in the cards.....the high road would be to keep your other band mates informed,but if opportunity knocks,you would be foolish to pass it up for a hobby/bar band/misplaced loyalty

[pasta4lnch]

I try to have a network of people to cover for me if something like this arises . . . though I'm low on subs these days but you def did the right thing. your current band should see that - an opportunity is an opportunity. period.

[ForSix]

Putting aside whether NPR is worth inconveniencing oneself for, a non-paying gig has to give way to something that you think would be good for your development.

If I had a chance to do something that I really wanted to do, and it conflicted with a non-paying gig, I'd certainly blow off the non-paying gig.

[Skyblue977]

Dunno what the go is in the US but here in Oz you stick by your mates through thick and thin.
Money is easily made.
Mates are not.
You let them down.

[otis_thick]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

make sure we get links/pix....rules is rules....no links/pix no npr gig.....but seriously folks if this gig asks you to go with them for this,other dates may be in the cards.....the high road would be to keep your other band mates informed,but if opportunity knocks,you would be foolish to pass it up for a hobby/bar band/misplaced loyalty

I agree as well you should always be ready to answer the door when opportunity knocks

I was curious about the NPR show too. I do regular freelance recording for NPR. My regular "dish washing job" is Assist Radio Chief/Audio engineer for local NPR/PBS station. We are poor but we "look"and sound "good"

http://broadcastengineering.com/production/public-
broadcasting-station-wfyi-0110/

Here is one of our "live" radio blues show. I am mixing from below the stage. The audio is the "live to air" radio audio We shot video to pitch a pilot tv series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU2gM...eature=related

I am sorry for the shameless plug but I must!

[lowfreq33]

I'm sure your bandmates understand, they'd probably do the same thing given the situation. I wouldn't make it a habit though. Word travels fast, it could make it hard to get gigs in the future if you're known as a mercenary.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Skyblue977

Dunno what the go is in the US but here in Oz you stick by your mates through thick and thin.
Money is easily made.
Mates are not.
You let them down.

it's same as everywhere.....pals are pals.....then some get married,jobs,move away.....you have to take care of yourself.....your "mates" may be around when the good times roll,but
trust me ,the herd thins out real quick when they ain't

[Skyblue977]

Jim, with respect, mates will still be there when your wifes has left you, or the boss has give you the sack, or your willy has fallen off. Us older blokes know how important or mates are.
This is what makes them mates.

[Basshappi]

I don't see a problem as long as you gave notice to your other band so that arrangements could be made to reschedule or get a sub.

If you just didn't show up and left them hanging at the last minute then that is unprofessional, I don't care how insignificant the other gig was. Bad Karma.

Like the song says; "Those you misuse on the way up, you're gonna meet them on the way down."

[stinger12345]

Originally Posted by Skyblue977

Money is easily made.

I'd bet about 80% of the world's population would disagree with you there.

[electracoyote]

I'm afraid that was the "too short" version.

Originally Posted by 62Jazzbass

While I hate bailing on the commitment I had with my band, and the bar, this was a big opportunity.

Committment? Did you have ample time to give the bar a chance to reschedule with another band? Or did you give your band ample time to acquire a sub for the evening? Or did you just leave everyone in the lurch?

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Skyblue977

Jim, with respect, mates will still be there when your wifes has left you, or the boss has give you the sack, or your willy has fallen off. Us older blokes know how important or mates are.
This is what makes them mates.

i'm older too....or maybe just old.....but i found as time went by people were just more into their own thing and i doubt if i could even find most of the guys i knew in the day.....the only time you see everyone in one place these days is at funerals.......but from what i've seen on brit and oz tv it does seem that groups hang together more there.....here everyone tends to scatter right after high school

[Jason P Bass]

Originally Posted by Skyblue977

Dunno what the go is in the US but here in Oz you stick by your mates through thick and thin.
Money is easily made.
Mates are not.
You let them down.

Yeah, he let them down at a no-pay bar gig.

If that's enough to start a cat fight with your mates, buy them a gift certificate for a day spa, or rent "Love Actually" and watch it with them. That should make amends.

[Skyblue977]

Apologies to the OP

the only time you see everyone in one place these days is at funerals

Certainly see a lot of these nowadays. Happens too much around here too. Perhaps I'm getting a bit on?
I guess it's a cultural thing about what one should and should not do.