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After Ten Years, Fired by Email

#61
In all seriousness, you couldn't have played it more perfectly, Doug (the OP, whom I am friends with).

Time wounds all heels, and the BL of which you speak will pay a steep price for his lack of loyalty and humility. He'll pay in ways big and small that he may never be able to outrun. He deserves no better.

The best you can do now, I believe, is discover new ways to prosper musically. This person is someone you were probably always better off without.

Treat him like a used condom. Don't look back.
 
#62
Stumbo said:
Since you were "fired" without cause, you must be an employee, especially since the BL restricted your work time/income by demanding "loyalty".
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Yeah, that's what he wants. Not fellow bandmembers, but employees. Not the first BL I've encountered with that approach. IMO at the cover band level, that doesn't work well.
Marko5657 said:
...and when they do something chitty, they know in their hearts they did so.
When you react with revenge, it somehow allows them to justify their behavior regardless of the sequence, because you demonstrated that you have a bad side, too.
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That's a very interesting thought!
 
#65
I feel you, dude. I just got fired by the Praise band leader I'd worked for for the last 7 years.

He sent me a text telling me to check my e-mail that told me I was out. Yep. Text and email.

Gutless Wonder.
 
#68
Edward G. said:
Time wounds all heels.........
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I love that quote.

There's no reason for Doug to get vindictive or anything like that, because I'm positive he'll be in another situation or better one shortly. Heck, I've never heard him play in a band before, yet I hear his or his brother's name mentioned around town. Mostly good comments too. ;)
 
#69
Shoot, the only reason I get any work is because my brother decided to cut back! He went to Berklee in Boston for a while, where he learned to read & write & play double bass. He's mostly into jazz now, when he's not playing with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. :D I'm proud of that kid!
 
#71
jeffbrown said:
...if the other members were not in the decision loop, how are they taking this now? Or did I miss this info? Do they realize any one of them could be next?
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How they're taking it: they aren't pleased, but none of them will make an issue of it.
Guitarist #1 is the BL's son. He's been trained since birth that Dad runs the show. Plus he needs the $$.
Guitarist #2 is fully on board with the oldies trip. It's easier, less work for him that way. No need to spend time learning a song he's known for 30 years. Plus he needs the $$.
Singer has had her issues with BL in the past, but he's worn her down. She now wishes to avoid conflict and "just show up and sing", as she put it. She also needs the $$.
Drummer is from Europe, never played country before. He's just happy to be in a happening band. All these songs are new to him. He's only been with the band about a year, he won't be making any waves.
jeffbrown said:
Any thoughts of asking some of them to form a new band w/YOU?
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No.
 
#72
Lazylion said:
Yeah, that's what he wants. Not fellow bandmembers, but employees. Not the first BL I've encountered with that approach. IMO at the cover band level, that doesn't work well.
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It can work very well if the BL is handling his business, keeping the gigs coming in and the money high, while also keeping the song list fresh and their playing at an exceptional level...

Ok, you're right, doesn't usually work.
 
#73
fep said:
Like I said, kudos to your response.

But the whole thing doesn't make sense.

There must be some reason for this in the band leaders mind.

Maybe he doesn't like the way his wife/girl friend looks at you; maybe he wants his brother to play bass; maybe he knows another bass player with a great PA and who has access to lots of gigs... There must be a reason.
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Eureka! The new bass players name is Wolfgang!

Edward G. said:
In all seriousness, you couldn't have played it more perfectly, Doug (the OP, whom I am friends with).

Time wounds all heels, and the BL of which you speak will pay a steep price for his lack of loyalty and humility. He'll pay in ways big and small that he may never be able to outrun. He deserves no better.

The best you can do now, I believe, is discover new ways to prosper musically. This person is someone you were probably always better off without.

Treat him like a used condom. Don't look back.
Click to expand...

I hope that doesn't mean rinse him off and hand him to his best buddy Edward G. for recycling... :p
 
#74
Lazylion said:
How they're taking it: they aren't pleased, but none of them will make an issue of it.
Guitarist #1 is the BL's son. He's been trained since birth that Dad runs the show. Plus he needs the $$.
Guitarist #2 is fully on board with the oldies trip. It's easier, less work for him that way. No need to spend time learning a song he's known for 30 years. Plus he needs the $$.
Singer has had her issues with BL in the past, but he's worn her down. She now wishes to avoid conflict and "just show up and sing", as she put it. She also needs the $$.
Drummer is from Europe, never played country before. He's just happy to be in a happening band. All these songs are new to him. He's only been with the band about a year, he won't be making any waves.
Click to expand...

Well, I guess it's a little easier to see why he wanted to dump you. The more he succeeded at building his kingdom of worshippers (or reluctant-but-obedient followers) the less pleased he was with a non-conformist.

Sorry you were treated so poorly but this jackwad. Hope things get back on track for you real soon. Good luck!
 
#80
ChrisB2 said:
The more he succeeded at building his kingdom of worshippers (or reluctant-but-obedient followers) the less pleased he was with a non-conformist.
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This is true of pretty much all businesses. If you read up on Steve Jobs, it was his way or the highway. AFAIK, he had no second thoughts about letting people go who weren't useful to him.

Lesson: if you're in a band (business) that's a dictatorship, keep your head down or expect to be shown the door.

Put another way: Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced. :atoz:
 

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