How would you react to this?

[PauFerro]

I'm an active local musician/electric bass player and I have a group of musicians I call in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order for gigs. I have a drummer who is first call. I bring him a lot of gigs, judging by the size of his 1099 at the end of the year.

Anyway, he called me a while ago asking if I would mind if for a couple gigs at a restaurant not far from him, if he could use our piano player (2nd call guy) and a string bass player for the gig. His reason for this was the owner "wants string bass" and I'm an electric player. I said fine, but indicated that if I was going to call him first for all the gigs I have, I'm expecting to be part of the gigs if the instrumentation is the same (piano, bass, drums) that he books.

Personally, it irks me when I bring musicians a lot of work, find the musicians, arrange the rehearsals, get everyone music, and then they go off on their own, when there are no apparent interpersonal skill or other problems. I also think the owners' string bass requirement was hokus.

I later see all over the Internet that he has named the trio, and gotten a professional video done. He is listed as the contact for this group, and they are doing music festivals around town.

How would you proceed with this case?

 

[alembicguy]

Maybe he prefers the other persons bass playing more.

 

[blastbass]

Practice, it will help forget, seems like that guy's a user.

 

[bassinplace]

Based on your post, he sounds a bit shady. I'd start actively looking for his replacement.

 

[erigod23]

I don't see any problems there. You brought some musicians together and they formed a band.

 

[PauFerro]

There are other drummers I prefer more too, but I made a commitment to him as first call for a host of reasons, and he knew that I was expecting him to reciprocate with gigs when he has them.

He told me that after they played together it would be "just for fun" after that. Sounds like it's not just for fun anymore if they have it all over the Internet.

I am thinking of moving him off the first call chair after I talk to him and get an unsatisfactory answer. We are all at different levels.

But I think it's politically unwise to cut the guy out of paid work (me) who gives him the lion's share of his music income.

 

[Bodeanly]

But I think it's politically unwise to cut the guy out of paid work (me) who gives him the lion's share of his music income.

Let it go, dude. You brought people together through music. He even asked you if it would be okay if he used the piano guy. Unless there is a breach of contract, he did nothing wrong.

 

[CatSquare]

You don't play the instrument his gig calls for and are therefore ineligible for the gig, I don't see a problem here.

 

[PauFerro]

You are missing the point. Perhaps you didn't read the original post carefully enough.

I agreed to that gig when he asked me, because I did not play upright. It was portrayed as a one-off thing -- special circumstances. But now, he is actively promoting the band, doing music festivals, with a professional video -- clearly his intentions went beyond merely filling that gig on that one night due to instrumentation limitations on my part.

Actively promoting a band that plays the same kind of music, and cutting me out of gigs that do not require upright -- THAT I have a problem with. And by the way, I know that clients don't seem to care if the bass is electric or upright in this town. With tons and tons of clients, as the gig booker, it is never an issue. So i don't buy the argument that he needs a separate ongoing band simply because I don't do upright.

I think he is being unwise from a business perspective, and after reflecting here, I think he deserves to be moved to a second or third call position, essentially gutting his schedule, and I should move up one of the other loyal drummers. The rest of the group should know that has happened as a deterrent from forming direct competition with what I do, and to work toward the success of the band we have formed together.

In the last year, be brough me ONE paid gig, and I got him abotu 15. I also have him scheduled for a ton more gigs between now and June. He doesn't deserve the work if he isn't going to reciprocate. It's not right. There are a ton of musicians in this town that want to be part of the groups I have formed. It's time he took a back seat.

 

[PauFerro]

Let it go, dude. You brought people together through music. He even asked you if it would be okay if he used the piano guy. Unless there is a breach of contract, he did nothing wrong.

He asked about as a one-off thing, and we agreed yes, if the owner requires it, then so be it. But that if I was going to give him these first call gigs, then I expected him to reciprocate when he generates leads on future gigs. In fact, when I brought him on to this group, it was with the understanding that he would book gigs alongside me. He agreed to that. Starting his own group,. with the same repertoire, same instrumentation essentially, for local background music gigs and festivals, where no one ever demands Upright (other than that one bar owner, if he even demanded it, I question that) rather than electric bass, is a breach of our agreement in my view. All this was discussed up front.

I'm not standing for it.

 

[Bodeanly]

He asked about as a one-off thing, and we agreed yes, if the owner requires it, then so be it. But that if I was going to give him these first call gigs, then I expected him to reciprocate when he generates leads. In fact, when I brought him on to this group, it was with the understanding that he would book gigs alongside me. He agreed to that. Starting his own group,. with the same repertoire, same instrumentation essentially, for local background music gigs and festivals, where no one ever demands Upright rather than electric bass, is a breach of our agreement in my view. All this was discussed up front.

I'm not standing for it.

I assure you that I carefully read your original post. I believe your ego might be a bit bruised because he has chosen to play with a different bassist. Like I said, unless there is a contract, this is just spilt milk, regardless of "expecting him to reciprocate" and being a "breach of your agreement." The simplest solution is to find a new drummer and move on.

 

[PauFerro]

No ego problem here. You are making a false assumption and need to trust what I say. We are all a work in progress.

I am disturbed that I work hard to get him gigs, want gigs, and that in spite of our verbal agreement, he is giving the gigs and associated pay to other musicians.. He actually had 18 last year from me, not 15. He brought me one. Remember, he agreed to be a gig booker when I took him on.

I don't care if there is no written contract -- the fact is, there are other drummers willing to share in the work of booking gigs for our mutual benefit, and he is not that person anymore. He is willing to enjoy the fruits of my hard work, while actively promoting his own group which does exactly the same thing the group I formed does -- leaving me out of the financial awards, then it's time to move on to someone else who keeps agreements..

 

[Bullitt5135]

In the last year, be brought me ONE paid gig, and I got him about 15.

This to me would be reason enough to bump him down the list a spot or two, assuming you have other drummers available. It sounds like you had a gentleman's agreement about reciprocating, but the situation has become completely one-sided. I would simply call your other drummer(s) first if it's in your best interest.

I think situations like this are the nature of the business when you're dealing with hired guns. The drummer may have intended this to be a one-off gig under special circumstances, but then it morphed into something else. Only you can decide if you got played, but personally it sounds like the guy was trying to do it on the up and up, then things changed.

 

[lfmn16]

Personally, it irks me when I bring musicians a lot of work, find the musicians, arrange the rehearsals, get everyone music, and then they go off on their own, when there are no apparent interpersonal skill or other problems.

Welcome to the music business.

If he is not costing you jobs, don't shoot yourself in the foot. If it ain't broken don't fix it.

It's not your wife cheating on you. He formed a band. You don't know that there was prior intent. I've subbed before or jammed with people and joined/formed bands based on great chemistry.

 

[bassinflorida]

Your question "How would you react to this?" Possibly the same way you did. But that may not be the best way.

 

[SirMjac28]

I think you may have missed your calling as a booking agent start demanding a cut of the gigs you find for these muscians I think you could make some serious extra money.

 

[Jay Corwin]

Geesh you don't own the guy because he is first on your call list. I would assume he's a very good musician since he is your number one. It only stands to reason that if he is that good, then he is going to get other opportunities. Maybe these three guys hit off, and thought it a good idea to make a go of it. That's only happened about a million times.

Plus you don't play upright, so get over it. You aren't even eligible for the gig.

 

[bassinplace]

If you give the guy a lot of work, and he doesn't respond in kind, then I wouldn't continue working with him. Maybe that's just me, but I'd move on. On the other hand, if you have enough work that you don't need to be connected to other jobs, then it wouldn't be a big deal, I suppose. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume you need the work.

 

[Rogatien022]

You mentioned in a post you do know other drummers, just call them. I wouldn't turn this into drama, it's a waste of time/energy.

Just offer the job to another drummer.

 

[SLO Surfer]

You didn't mention what style of music you play. Jazz? If it's jazz, upright is just more authentic and appropriate.