Benefit for fired band member?

[TinIndian]

Yeah, in this case I do it no questions asked.

On another note there is a benefit going on this evening locally for a fellow bassist that lost everything in a fire recently.

 

[Groove Doctor]

The past is the past. Help a brother in need.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

What is your opinion on playing a benefit for a former band member who was fired? We were asked to do a show, but I'm leaning towards "weird," even though he was fired before I joined up (NOT talking about the bassist I replaced). We are doing it, but I wanted to ask you folks.

Also (not really related but where my head is with this): has anyone ever played their ex's wedding? Because... Dang.

My mouse battery died in replying to this, I'd say that's an omen: Weird!

 

[4-fingers]

Being a weekend warrior amateur........I love when we have an opportunity to play music for a great cause. We’ve done a few freebies for these reasons, in fact never turned one down, and Karma has been kind.

 

[bleedingfingers]

I believe in musicians luck kind of a karma thing I think .
I have been helped out when travelling as a player by complete strangers several times over the years.
{ broke down in forty below weather equipment failures etc }

When you are in a band their charities kind of become yours and vice versa.
Playing benefits when you can is a no brainer .
It might be you or a loved one that is in need someday .
Also being in a room full of people trying trying to do some good will probably make you feel good as well.

 

[bobyoung53]

He lost everything in a fire.

After I read this I voted yes, you should have included this in your first post, makes a world of difference.

 

[Bodeanly]

After I read this I voted yes, you should have included this in your first post, makes a world of difference.

The thread wasn’t supposed to be about me. It was supposed to be about whether or not it was weird to do a benefit for a fired member. My bad.

 

[catcauphonic]

Weird can be in a good way.

I've photographed an ex girlfriends wedding, and I would certainly play my ex wife's wedding if she wanted me too. Benefit for the guy who lost his including pets??? For sure!

 

[hrodbert696]

So what does the fired party think of you guys playing his benefit?

To me that's the thing. If there's bad blood between this guy and the band, then actually, yeah, I'd say it could be awkward to show up to play his benefit. What would otherwise be a good-vibes gesture might come across as rubbing his face in it. At least, he might react that way even if the band only had the best intentions. Did HE invite the band to play it, is the relationship known to whoever is organizing the event, is the presence or absence of this band going to make a material difference to the success of the benefit (e.g. will they bring an additional cash-spending crowd that wouldn't otherwise have come)?

If the beneficiary and the band are on friendly or at least cordial terms, then I'd say thumbs-up and go for it, but I can imagine it's not being a good idea too, depending on these kinds of factors.

 

[Nanaki]

I think the weirdness would depend on the circumstances of why he was fired.
We had to let a drummer go last year as he had to travel too far and was struggling to make commitments. He was very unhappy at the time but understood when it actually made his life easier and he got a band closer to home. We're playing a charity event for his mother next year.
Even if its weird its a good cause.

 

[pcake]

good on you for doing the benefit. helping people who are in need out is never a bad thing. unless it's a situation like hrodbert696 describes.

btw, my husband and i would play at my ex-husband's wedding. we really like his GF and her son. why not?

 

[Kevin Colt]

nothing wrong with a bit of compassion, tis the noble thing to do.

 

[TheOxRocks]

I’ve run sound for bands I was fired from. I did a fill-in gig on three hours’ notice for a band I was fired from. I’ve played bass at several gigs for a guy who had quit a band HE HIMSELF HAD FORMED because he and I didn’t get along. At my last gig in New York (last September, before I moved to Florida in January), I played with a drummer who had sworn a year and a half earlier that he would never set foot on a stage with me ever again (nor I him) - and we hugged when it was over.

A benefit for a fired band member who suffered personal loss? I say absolutely. It’s simply the right thing to do. Besides, in most cases with bands, you should never completely burn your bridges.

 

[Eilif]

He lost everything in a fire.

This is all you need to know.

Do it and do it cheerfully. Some life events outweigh piddly personal issues.

If you're willing, PM me the details. I've got a really busy couple of weekends coming up, but if I can support you and this guy, I'd be happy too.

 

[Bodeanly]

This is all you need to know.

Do it and do it cheerfully. Some life events outweigh petty personal issues.

If you're willing, PM me the details. I've got a really busy couple of weekends coming up, but if I can support you and this guy, I'd be happy too.

PM coming. It’s a Sunday night in the burbs tho.