New band offer = major decision

[3rdBass]

I've been playing with a trio in northeast PA for the past year. We do pretty well, booked every weekend, sometimes 2x or 3x a week. Average about $150 a gig. The guys are great people, we all get along fine. They've been together for over 8 years, I met them about 6 years ago and always aspired to play with musicians of their experience and caliber.

Being one to leave my options open I've had an online profile posted for years and another band recently saw it and contacted me to audition. It's an 11 piece party/ wedding band, very successful, been around for 20 years. I assume they make BIG bucks in nice venues compared to what the trio is doing.

The current band will take October off for one member to move to a winter home across country. That will also put us out of work for at least a couple of months each year, Jan-Feb and maybe March. I'm faced with the dilemna of giving notice and moving on or staying with the trio and not working for at least a couple of months each year. There's even more positive and negative considerations for each band.

It's still very premature as I've only been invited to a rehearsal with the new band to see if I can hit it off with the drummer in particular. There's obviously a LOT of details I haven't included that can and will affect my decision (I can post links to the trio and big band as well as my own profile) but I wanted to throw this out there for some opinions. What would YOU do ? or ask ? or say ?

[A Strohman]

Well, what *I* would do is based solely on the fact that I don't play for the money (although I always take it!) so for me, its about playing the kind of music I enjoy the most. So I wouldn't consider leaving a situation where I'm playing what I love to join a situation where I'm playing mostly stuff I can't stand....but thats just me and you asked what I would do.

If making more money is important to you then the wedding band gig may be a better bet. Hard to say without more info. But at this early stage I don't see any harm with at least jamming with the band and seeing how it feels.

[dpbass613]

Well how busy do you want to be...you maybe be able to still continue with both...the wedding band may not book all the time and you can supplement the wedding band with the trio when the trio is working. It all depends on the rehearsal and time commitment each group needs and if it conflicts with your every day life. Personally music is my "outside of work life" so while i do get paid and work hard at it, its also my release and enjoyable so the more "work" i have the better.

[Yerf Dog]

Is BIG bucks / 11 > $150?

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

Is BIG bucks / 11 > $150?

Excellent question. My brother was with a 9 piece band for several years and I think he made about $50,00 a night.

[waynobass]

Originally Posted by 3rdBass

It's still very premature...

Yes it is. They may not like you, you may not like them. See how it goes first.

If it goes well, why not play with both bands?

[THORRR]

"What a revoltin' development THIS is!!!"
- William Bendix, in "The Life of Riley"

You, my friend, have gotten yourself into the proverbial "Pickle". And I wish you all the luck in making the right decision. In my mind, you should have thought this through b-e-f-o-r-e it ever happened.

Having your resume out there exposed you to this. Now it's happened. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes. Personally, I lean toward staying with your current group. They're friends, you know the music, you have a history, you make steady money, they're reliable . . . do you know just how rare that is???

Of course . . . the grass always seems greener . . . and you're hungry . . . for knowledge . . . for adventure !!!!
aaaaauuuuuuggggghhh!

Tough one . . .Tough one . . . Tough one . . .

[MysticMichael]

Too many unanswered questions here for anyone to make a meaningful contribution...

It all boils down to your values, your priorities, your desires. On the basis of this information - plus a lot more about each opportunity - one could begin to offer some helpful input. Not until.

Only thing I can say is, if it's still way preliminary, then treat it as such. Know what you want - and what you don't want. And by those criteria, evaluate the band - even as they're evaluating you.

Don't commit until you're sure - and until you have a firm - and I do mean firm - offer. Until then, continue to keep your options open.

MM

[DavidE]

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

Is BIG bucks / 11 > $150?

11 musicians are a lot of mouths to feed. And then there's the sound guy (and I hope there's a sound guy for an 11 piece band). It may not pay better or maybe not much better at all.

I did some time in a wedding/corporate band. 9 piece band. The money was a little better than playing the bars, but each gig took many more hours of time. You have to show up early to set up. Head home for many hours. Shower, tux, back to the venue, play.... maybe get fed and maybe not, lots of down time during a wedding gig for the wedding events, then pack up. Typically, it took the better part of the day/night. On an hourly basis, I was better off playing bars.

But, we didn't have to worry about bringing crowds to gigs, people were usually there to have a great time and dance and the band was pretty darn good. After doing that for 5 years though, I had even more fun when I went back to playing bars.

[Staccato]

Two times per week sounds like good money at that rate (before taxes). There's lots of TB'rs that avg. LESS per gig...

Anybody seen a raise since the 70's for local gigs?
$13 in 1975 now converts to $50.
$50 in 1975 now converts to $200.

[3rdBass]

I realize I posted and omitted a ton of info, personally, professionally, emotionally.
I'm still at work and have to jet outta here but here's a few links for comparison's sake:

trio: http://www.doseofmojo.com/
big band: http://www.daddyoband.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH-TUHCMikI
online bio: http://www.bandmix.com/gil-young/

Thanks again for all your input.

[basscheez]

You'll also have 5 times as many other musicians (10 vs. 2) in the band, which may mean 5X the potential drama / headaches. Just something to factor in.

[newwavefrank]

I just looked at the big band's web site, and have to admit I expected better. If they are really doing great gigs, they should have a MUCh better video available to them. Not impressed. If you're doing it for the money, make sure you know EXACTLY what you would be making before bailing out on your old band.

[DBTOYS]

i would stay with the trio my guess would be too many egos in the big band

[Mike Shevlin]

IF you go with the big band I would like to take your spot in your current band. If you stay with the your current band, I WANT NO PART of the 11 piece drama fest.

[essentre]

mo money, mo problems

[THORRR]

After hearing both bands, I'd stay with the trio for sure.
No question. If you're just tired of your band's sound, add another member & go from there.

[jelpo]

So, why can't you do both? That's what I would do.

[mussla]

I would stay with the trio.

[rumblefish]

Stick with YOUR band, at least you have a working unit. The grass always looks greener.