Singer/leader Sick Day Of Gig: What Do You Do?

[SBassman]

Ok, so I know this trio who gigs about 3 times a month.
I see them play often.

The leader/guitar player/keyboard player is also the Lead singer. He's really sick, and he came to the conclusion this morning that he can't sing tonight. The other 2 members of the band do not know his vocal lines, nor have the ability to sing them.

So sick leader called the owner to say we would have to Cancel. The other members were behind him 100%. No sweat, no harm, no foul. Just life.

They Never Cancelled before.

The owner did not want to accept it, and talked the leader back into the gig, so it is on.

What would you have done in this case?

I honestly think he's pushing too hard, and it will lead to him probably being out of work for a day or two as a result. In my book, you give 110% to be a pro, but there Are occasional times in life where Stuff Happens, stuff that can't be resolved.

Your turn.

[SBassman]

?

[Zappstorius]

I don't understand the question. Are you asking for our opinion from the singers point of view? Other band members? Owner of the club they are scheduled to play at?

[SBassman]

I guess I was looking for people to agree that it would have been Ok for the singer to cancel. He's doing it tonight, but he felt Obligated, and he's going to wind up blowing out his voice, all while feeling badly about performing poorly. He's also at 0 energy because of the illness. He really needed to be comfortable with cancelling, but it wasn't in him after the owner pushed back.

[Zappstorius]

If the singer can't go, he can't go. If he's seriously ill, absolutley. As long as everyone in the group is cool with it. Although I've surely had gigs where a member of the band was "sick" because he drank too much the night before.

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by Zappstorius

If the singer can't go, he can't go. If he's seriously ill, absolutley. As long as everyone in the group is cool with it. Although I've surely had gigs where a member of the band was "sick" because he drank too much the night before.

Nah, this is not that kind of sick. The band is all in their 40's, and they're all smart enough to take care of themselves before a gig. This is just plain sickness - flu/bronchitus stuff.

[Lowtonejoe]

Well,

if you could cover the gig without him, I would. But you can't.

If you have to cancel, you have to cancel. I had a cancelled gig for the first time in my life last year. I was horrified. You know what? People get sick and if they can't make it I bet it's not their fault...or they wont last in the business. He got talked back into it.

So...

Right now your mission is to get through it doing as good of a job as you can.

Some (of many I am sure) tricks:
1. Do as many instrumentals as you can. If you don't have any, turn some of them into instrumentals.
2. Take extended solos.
3. Take a little bit longer breaks. You don't want to make your employer mad but there is a balance...trust me. Find it.
5. Do you know anyone who can help cover a few tunes? Maybe a set at least? This is where having a good reputation and doing good neworking (letting people sit in) come into play.

You situation is much less than ideal. Muscle through it. With any luck it will only be one of many, many, many successful gigs.

Good luck man.



Joe.

[SBassman]

Just got back from it.

The singer was some trooper, and he made it through the whole night. It wasn't the best night vocal wise, but the crowd was into, and it was a very successful night.

[Snarf]

In my band, one of the singers won't sing if he feels so much as the slightest tingle in his throat that may potentially lead to slight soreness. It's really lame. He does this for rehearsals all the time.

[Introvox]

We played Friday night in our hometown....kicked butt!!!

Sat morning our singer called with severe larangitis...

Only singer available was lead from our rival band Lady Marmalade;

She did it on the fly, between sets she sat in -30 in my Sunfire heater blaring, going through tunes...she needed lyric sheets, which meant she had to wear her glasses....

We went into the night, thinking we're gonna get fired for sure, but because we combined the 2 top area bands, and explained what was going on, it became one of the most notable shows in the areas history, and to this day, all members are now friends....good thing, the guitarist of LM's sister is the cashier at the beer store.....now she treats me like gold.

[Lowtonejoe]

Originally Posted by SBassman

Just got back from it.

The singer was some trooper, and he made it through the whole night. It wasn't the best night vocal wise, but the crowd was into, and it was a very successful night.

Right on.

Congrats!



Joe.

[invader3k]

Originally Posted by Snarf

In my band, one of the singers won't sing if he feels so much as the slightest tingle in his throat that may potentially lead to slight soreness. It's really lame. He does this for rehearsals all the time.

OK, that is pretty lame. Sometimes I get aches and pains in my arms or wrists, but I still play my bass lines at practice or shows. Sounds like your singer in question is being a diva.

[shawn-o]

Originally Posted by Lowtonejoe

Right on.

Congrats!



Joe.

x2

Last summer our singer came down with a cold the day of a huge gig that we had set up at their lake. It was a end of summer bash that we organized and set up on the back of a semi-trailer flat bed.

His throat was all swollen and he was super raspy. We bought him some cepricol spray (freezes your throat) and he grabbed all the cough syrup in his house and we left. Turns out he drank a bottle on the way out to the show (around 2 pm) and was good to sing by 8.

The next day was NOT a pretty sight.

[basgetar]

Originally Posted by Lowtonejoe

Well,

if you could cover the gig without him, I would. But you can't.

If you have to cancel, you have to cancel. I had a cancelled gig for the first time in my life last year. I was horrified. You know what? People get sick and if they can't make it I bet it's not their fault...or they wont last in the business. He got talked back into it.

So...

Right now your mission is to get through it doing as good of a job as you can.

Some (of many I am sure) tricks:
1. Do as many instrumentals as you can. If you don't have any, turn some of them into instrumentals.
2. Take extended solos.
3. Take a little bit longer breaks. You don't want to make your employer mad but there is a balance...trust me. Find it.
5. Do you know anyone who can help cover a few tunes? Maybe a set at least? This is where having a good reputation and doing good neworking (letting people sit in) come into play.

You situation is much less than ideal. Muscle through it. With any luck it will only be one of many, many, many successful gigs.

Good luck man.



Joe.

Now that is good advice!