• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Giving notice to band

davidjbass

davidjbass

Sep 2, 2006
3,113
1,039
Massachusetts
www.reverbnation.com
#1
I would like to get some advice on how much notice you should give to your cover band when you plan on leaving?
I plan on staying for the rest of the year and they don't know I intend on leaving yet. Our last scheduled gig is New Years Eve which is the one I would like to make my last gig with them. There are no problems with the band I have just had my fill (30 years) of playing late nights in all kinds of weather, hauling P.A., lights, dealing with club owners and all that stuff that goes along with being in a cover band. Plus I a have a good d.j. business going that allows me to make more money and get home earlier. And I want to put more time into some original music that I have put off for years.

I know that with an ordinary job you would normally give 2 weeks notice but I know that that does not work in this case. I was thinking 30 to 60 days. That would give them enough time to find another bass player. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
 
#2
4 weeks is very fair. there isn't a set policy - it varies from situation to situation depending on the personnel. If they have trouble finding a replacement you could negotiate an extension.

Giving notice for the first of next year (1/1/2010) is super reasonable.
 
#3
TBH, I'd just tell them now, and then bring it up every now and then to make sure they don't forget and start looking for replacements. It would be a problem if the band books another gig after New Year's and they don't know that you're leaving. Also, since you're on good terms with these guys, I'd say you should give them the chance to find a replacement without them feeling they have to rush to do so after booking such a gig.
 
  • Like
Reactions: One Way and fretlessguy
#5
Based on your particular situation, I would tell them A.S.A.P that you will NOT be playing with them after 12/31/2009. Advise them that they should certainly be able to find a replacement before then. If and when they do, you should even be willing to help with the transition if the new guy has some prior commitments or what ever, but whether they find a suitable replacement or not 12/31/2009 is it.
 
#6
xgator4u said:
Based on your particular situation, I would tell them A.S.A.P that you will NOT be playing with them after 12/31/2009. Advise them that they should certainly be able to find a replacement before then. If and when they do, you should even be willing to help with the transition if the new guy has some prior commitments or what ever, but whether they find a suitable replacement or not 12/31/2009 is it.
Click to expand...

That's how I'd handle it. In fact I'm contemplating leaving my gig. Problem is my real job. Second shift, can't get off it, and they just denied me a vacation day next Friday so I can't play. They (the band and my boss) have known about this for several months now. Thing is, playing music is my passion, and I will not give up a gig willingly unless there is no other choice. Unfortunately, until I can get a day shift job, I'm stuck with an unacceptable situation. I also do not believe its fair to restrict the band's opportunities because my Friday availability is a crapshoot. I'm about ready to tell the guys I have to step aside, but I ain't gonna like it...
 
#8
Since you've already decided to leave, maybe you really won't be into the band enough that it won't show.

I'd let them know that you'd like to play 3 more months before your retirement and then give them 3 months to fill your slot. You might let them know you want to play New Year's Eve as your last, pre-retirement gig, if at all possible.

That way, it can be kind of a "celebration" of your retirement that can be promoted at your gigs.
 
#9
Thanks to all for some great advice. I think to save a lot of stress I am going to wait until September and then give them a until the end of the year to find someone and then if they still need me I will cover the gigs until they find another bass player. Right now there is a lot of stress in the band regarding losing gigs to the economy. So I don't want to ad fuel to the fire. And I want our summer gigs to go well and not have this cloud hanging over us.
 
#10
davidjbass said:
I was thinking 30 to 60 days. That would give them enough time to find another bass player. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
My take is this:

Do what's best for YOU.

If its important for you to keep the gig through 12/31/09, don't tell them now, as I can all but guarantee you'll be replaced sooner.

If you don't care if you're replaced by next week or next year, tell them whenever you want.

My inclination would be not to tell them for quite a while as simply knowing that you're going to leave will appreciably disrupt the band dynamic and the players' attitudes toward you in the meantime -- to some degree or the other.

Good luck!
 
#11
davidjbass said:
I would like to get some advice on how much notice you should give to your cover band when you plan on leaving?
I plan on staying for the rest of the year and they don't know I intend on leaving yet. Our last scheduled gig is New Years Eve which is the one I would like to make my last gig with them. There are no problems with the band I have just had my fill (30 years) of playing late nights in all kinds of weather, hauling P.A., lights, dealing with club owners and all that stuff that goes along with being in a cover band. Plus I a have a good d.j. business going that allows me to make more money and get home earlier. And I want to put more time into some original music that I have put off for years.

I know that with an ordinary job you would normally give 2 weeks notice but I know that that does not work in this case. I was thinking 30 to 60 days. That would give them enough time to find another bass player. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Click to expand...


I honestly think it has to do with you, your current and future endeavors. How’s the relationship with the band you’re leaving? I actually stayed with a couple of my old bands till they found a bassist so they wouldn’t have to be without one. I have the time, why not? As long as you’re cool with them stil, Jam out, just maintain professionalism and if you have to be gone by a set date for something, be sure to let them know. After that they can’t hold that poopie against you. I mean you already went out of your way to help them.
 
#12
Adam Harrison said:
I honestly think it has to do with you, your current and future endeavors. How’s the relationship with the band you’re leaving? I actually stayed with a couple of my old bands till they found a bassist so they wouldn’t have to be without one. I have the time, why not? As long as you’re cool with them stil, Jam out, just maintain professionalism and if you have to be gone by a set date for something, be sure to let them know. After that they can’t hold that poopie against you. I mean you already went out of your way to help them.
Click to expand...
Great suggestion.

If you look at the date of the previous post, I think they are all probably retired now unless they became zombies! :roflmao:
 
  • Like
Reactions: HG1180, Naturekev, getbent and 2 others
#14
After 25 years with the same drummer and various members I was in the same place.

My advice is if you really want the end of the year to be the "final", then tell them now and let them know if they find a replacement sooner you'll step out when that time comes. It doesn't sound like you have issues with the other members so it shouldn't be too awkward. That way they know plenty of time in advance and you've given them the avenue to find your replacement with no time pressure. YMMV
 
#16
Bongolation said:
My take is this:

Do what's best for YOU.

If its important for you to keep the gig through 12/31/09, don't tell them now, as I can all but guarantee you'll be replaced sooner.
Click to expand...

And right there is the selfish answer that ends up screwing more bands than it helps. Including the people with that attitude.

This is NOT a solo act. A Band is a team sport. Don't YOU hate it when someone goes "Hey guys - There is another band with more money and gigs so I'm out and then YOU get effed out of a gig (or five?).

If it was a good relationship, ask to play a set on NY for free if it was a good ending. Or maybe a few songs or whatever.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Adam Harrison
#18
Considering that my rhythm guitarist and I discovered that our lead guitarist and drummer were auditioning guys behind our backs - and on our equipment, no less! - we gave them exactly 30 seconds’ notice before we both quit the band and cleared our equipment out of the studio (which included the rhythm guitarist’s PA and our mics and mic cables). We invited them to try to perform our next gig (4 weeks away) with the replacements they were hiring. Of course, they couldn’t. The rhythm guitarist and I are planning to bring in our own replacement players and continue the band after the whole pandemic thing is over.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nixdad, RoadRanger and getrhythm

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back