So are we going on the road or what...

[Kael]

One of the acts I play with is planning on hitting the road for a short two week tour at the end of December. They have already asked me to go, and I've agreed. I am looking forward to it actually, but...

I'm starting to become a little concerned. They still a little over half the dates on this tour listed as TBA. Quite frankly, this makes me highly uneasy. I would love to hit the road with these guys, but I don't want to schedule off two weeks at my day job (and lose that pay) and also lose two weeks worth of local gigs if this tour is going to fizzle out. Especially considering that one of those dates is New Year's Eve, which normally nets me major moola. I've watched a proposed tour with this act fizzle out once in the past, and gotten minorly stung on that. Nothing too bad though. They also did a tour last summer that I did not go on, because they could not meet my minimum pay requirements. I don't want to back out on my word (I'm VERY big on keeping my word in the music business), but I am getting rather anxious about this issue. It is down to the wire about me needing to inform my job that I will be gone.

Just looking for a few other people's thoughts on this...

PS: I've sent them a couple messages/emails about this issue. I've gotten a general "everything is shaping up"/"everything is on, no worries" type of response, but not any firm information. I am a fairly take charge person. Am I just being to paranoid?

[ElMon]

Originally Posted by Kael

One of the acts I play with is planning on hitting the road for a short two week tour at the end of December. They have already asked me to go, and I've agreed. I am looking forward to it actually, but...

I'm starting to become a little concerned. They still a little over half the dates on this tour listed as TBA. Quite frankly, this makes me highly uneasy. I would love to hit the road with these guys, but I don't want to schedule off two weeks at my day job (and lose that pay) and also lose two weeks worth of local gigs if this tour is going to fizzle out. Especially considering that one of those dates is New Year's Eve, which normally nets me major moola. I've watched a proposed tour with this act fizzle out once in the past, and gotten minorly stung on that. Nothing too bad though. They also did a tour last summer that I did not go on, because they could not meet my minimum pay requirements. I don't want to back out on my word (I'm VERY big on keeping my word in the music business), but I am getting rather anxious about this issue. It is down to the wire about me needing to inform my job that I will be gone.

Just looking for a few other people's thoughts on this...

PS: I've sent them a couple messages/emails about this issue. I've gotten a general "everything is shaping up"/"everything is on, no worries" type of response, but not any firm information. I am a fairly take charge person. Am I just being to paranoid?

Simple Economics my friend. On the one hand, you have a gurantee of money that will pay your bills and rent versus an uncertain gamble that might leave ya broke. If I were you, and as you said I myself am also a 'take charge person', I would actually call the venues myself. Don't declare yourself at first, just ask if ( Insert your band's name here ) is playing on the " " of December and how much is it. They'll let ya know right away what's really playin.

Just a thought. What group by the way?

[invader3k]

No, I think your concerns are definitely warranted, especially if this group has had other instances of unsuccessful tours.

I would call whoever the group leader is ASAP and level with him. Get a firm idea of how many dates are actually booked. Try to get a guaranteed amount of pay. If they can't provide them, than they should be able to understand if you say "Sorry, but I can't leave my job for two weeks to not make money."

[Dkerwood]

Of course, the flip side of the coin is that this sort of thing happens all the time. Heck, this summer, we were on the road for just 5 days and the last show was only finalized two or three days before we left.

I see all sorts of bands leave on 6 or 8 week tours with a half dozen TBA's on their schedule. Sometimes they fill them as they go, sometimes they don't. Seems pretty typical though.

I'm pretty Type A about this sort of thing, though. If it's not planned out in advance, I start getting very nervous, so I understand where you're coming from.

What happened, if I may ask?

[Kael]

Shaved a few days off the "tour" and filled up a few more dates. Looks like we have of 9 out of the 11 days filled. 6 confirmed wanting on final calls on three shows. Looks like they are having trouble filling Jan 1st and 2nd. I guess no one goes out to see bands on the first couple days after New Years Eve. Go figure.

Eh, I get nervous when I'm not the one doing the booking. I know that I'm a bit of a control freak. I suppose I should work on that. Well, that or at least keep it under control.

[rodl2005]

No U aint no control freak!!!!! I aint goin nowhere unless its booked, contracts signed, accomodation arranged & paid for, & preferably a sizeable deposit paid!!!= that is our norm.