I mean they are or were stellar players with a lot of talent, but they arent at that level anymore and you might wonder why.
I can think of two guys straight off the bat ..both drummers..that dont get called anymore.
Yep, though I probably wouldn't wonder why if I knew them.
There are lots of reasons for not getting calls; Difficult personalities, being contentious, trying to run the show on sideman gigs, etc...
But not being reliable, unable to show up on time, etc.,
usually points to an alcohol or other drug problem, either full-fledged or in-the-making.
Brilliant drummer I used to play with stopped getting calls for that reason. He died within three days of catching first-wave covid due to his underlying health condition of being addicted to crack. Another one I worked with who'd traveled the world with top level guys we'd all recognize stopped being reliable and almost went the same way before miraculously getting into recovery. Another is currently living on the streets if he's still alive.
It's a deadly disease; I almost went the same route, but have been clean/sober, through the help of a higher power and working a program, since Dec 30, 2019. Before that, I was flakey and unreliable. It was not pretty.
These days I woodshed and learn material, show up an hour early to gigs and concentrate on doing my job as defined by the BL. I help with the setup and teardown, wash, rinse and repeat the next night. In the past 130 gigs, I've only had to sub out one - flat out on my back with type B influenza.
For guys like you describe, there's usually no remedy that doesn't start within themselves. Consequences almost always have to come first for this to happen. Even if they flake out and don't have a drug/alcohol problem, enabling bad behavior usually only supports and encourages it.
