Long post... Sorry in advance...
Okay... A little history... Back in April, I quit a Country band that I had been with for 16 months and joined a blues / roots type band that was gearing up to gig. At the time, I was also in another blues band that grew out of a long time jam session with a guitarist from a previous band and some friends... These are both good, fun bands, but neither is gigging much. Lately I have been feeling a sense on ennui with both situations...
Recently, at work, I heard of a gal that had a country band and was seeking a bass player. I went to check out the group, and they sounded great... Her husband, the band leader, was filling in on bass and doing a credible job... They had recently picked up a hired gun steel player and were a five piece... While talking, I asked if they were certain that they wanted to bring in another person and was told that the band was in agreement that they wanted a 'real' bass player. I auditioned last Saturday and was offered / accepted the position on Monday...
I notified my two current bands that I would be leaving after honoring outstanding commitments... On Wednesday, I received a call from the Country band leader recinding the offer... Apparently the rest of the band had grown accoustomed to the steel player and were both unwilling to let him go, or take a reduced cut to bring in another player. I was upset, and let the leader know that while I didn't hold it against anyone, I had asked this question several times before auditioning, (and even during the audition)... Also, on Sunday I was in two bands and on Wednesday I was band-less... He was also very bummed because he is a guitar player and has difficulty playing bass and singing...
After bumming a bit on Thursday, (even to the point of considering hanging up the bass for a few months
), I answered an ad for a horn band seeking... I was given six songs to learn for tomorrow's audition, and while I think that they may be out of my league, I'm gonna give it my all and have a blast...
Anyhow, after setting up the audition, the Country band leader calls back and offers me a one-weekend-a-month gig at one of the clubs where they get paid enough to hire an extra member without hurting pockets, (He really, really wants to make this work for both of us. I admit that he's in a bit of a tight spot and don't hold it against him)... While all of the band members dug my playing during the audition, (It was a really good vibe, and I'd enjoy playing with this band), the negative impact on the pocket book would apparently be too great... Hopefully, after playing a few gigs as a hired gun, they'll see thie light...
What would you do?? Furthermore, what would you do if you were offered a position in the horn band?? (I know it's a long-shot, but just suppose...)
-robert
Okay... A little history... Back in April, I quit a Country band that I had been with for 16 months and joined a blues / roots type band that was gearing up to gig. At the time, I was also in another blues band that grew out of a long time jam session with a guitarist from a previous band and some friends... These are both good, fun bands, but neither is gigging much. Lately I have been feeling a sense on ennui with both situations...
Recently, at work, I heard of a gal that had a country band and was seeking a bass player. I went to check out the group, and they sounded great... Her husband, the band leader, was filling in on bass and doing a credible job... They had recently picked up a hired gun steel player and were a five piece... While talking, I asked if they were certain that they wanted to bring in another person and was told that the band was in agreement that they wanted a 'real' bass player. I auditioned last Saturday and was offered / accepted the position on Monday...
I notified my two current bands that I would be leaving after honoring outstanding commitments... On Wednesday, I received a call from the Country band leader recinding the offer... Apparently the rest of the band had grown accoustomed to the steel player and were both unwilling to let him go, or take a reduced cut to bring in another player. I was upset, and let the leader know that while I didn't hold it against anyone, I had asked this question several times before auditioning, (and even during the audition)... Also, on Sunday I was in two bands and on Wednesday I was band-less... He was also very bummed because he is a guitar player and has difficulty playing bass and singing...
After bumming a bit on Thursday, (even to the point of considering hanging up the bass for a few months
), I answered an ad for a horn band seeking... I was given six songs to learn for tomorrow's audition, and while I think that they may be out of my league, I'm gonna give it my all and have a blast... Anyhow, after setting up the audition, the Country band leader calls back and offers me a one-weekend-a-month gig at one of the clubs where they get paid enough to hire an extra member without hurting pockets, (He really, really wants to make this work for both of us. I admit that he's in a bit of a tight spot and don't hold it against him)... While all of the band members dug my playing during the audition, (It was a really good vibe, and I'd enjoy playing with this band), the negative impact on the pocket book would apparently be too great... Hopefully, after playing a few gigs as a hired gun, they'll see thie light...
What would you do?? Furthermore, what would you do if you were offered a position in the horn band?? (I know it's a long-shot, but just suppose...)
-robert
