I Quit

[Pocket Dave]

I quit my weekly Tuesday night jam host gig. This Tuesday will be my last.

It's one I started a few years back with the intent of it being a temporary thing, helping a venue owner out I've worked with over the years when her previous host quit rather unceremoniously, leaving her in the lurch.

I drew on local guitarist/front guys I'd gotten to know over the years to be featured guest each week, and hired a drummer I've worked with in the past who I knew I could count on to woodshed people's songs. It's been a great run, but it's time to reshuffle priorities for a list of reasons I won't go into.

And I wouldn't go into it with the venue owner or anyone else for that matter. Not to be rude, but "ain't nobody's business".

Still, I wanted to make sure not to leave the owner in a lurch like my predecessor did, and I offered to schedule out the rest of the year, with a ridiculously talented bassist covering for me after this Tuesday.

After talking with the owner in person, I texted her a "per our conversation" reiterating my offer to schedule the rest of the year, and followed that up with a to-be-clear:

I'm forever grateful for the opportunity to do Tuesdays. My decision isn't taken lightly and is by no means a reflection on you or [VENUE]. You have been a consistent supporter of live music - I'm sure that's hard to do sometimes. You've also been 100% standup & professional in all my dealings with you. Much respect.​

Looks like I'll be continuing to work with the venue when I've got an open Friday on my schedule, starting in January.

Yeah, I know. Not an interesting topic - kinda boring, actually.

That's ok. "Kinda boring" is underrated.

 

[lowplaces]

When it's time to move on, it's time to move on.

 

[steve_ss]

You sound like a good guy and handled the situation perfectly. I hope your "ain't nobody's business" is not a big deal issue in your life and everything works out well. Please stick around on the board and let us know how you are doing. We're here if you need us.

 

[RichardW]

Having similar feelings about my band. Been playing together for 16 years, but now down to two gigs a year. I feel like we’ve taken it as far as it can go. I’ve started jamming with some other guys and it’s a lot of fun - no pressure about getting stuff “right,” and a great exercise in listening to one another and going off in odd and interesting musical directions.

You might say “well, it’s just two gigs a year, what’s the big deal.” Fair, but there are some band dynamics that are annoying and I can’t help feeling like sometimes you have to say “so long” to one thing so you can be open to a new thing that might come along.

This is boring too, but thanks for letting me vent a little.

 

[mambo4]

sounds like you ended it professionally and with class to me.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

All good things come to some kind of end. But in a business where the rage quit, and the surprise exit is waaay more common then not, its nice to hear of someone respectfully and responsibly ending things this way.
Kudos!

 

[jimmydean]

Always try to go the positive route , always leave the door open ........you never know ?

 

[Eilif]

Sounds like you quit in the most responsible way.
Good work.

 

[covermego]

You done it right !! Respect.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I quit my weekly Tuesday night jam host gig. This Tuesday will be my last.

It's one I started a few years back with the intent of it being a temporary thing, helping a venue owner out I've worked with over the years when her previous host quit rather unceremoniously, leaving her in the lurch.

I drew on local guitarist/front guys I'd gotten to know over the years to be featured guest each week, and hired a drummer I've worked with in the past who I knew I could count on to woodshed people's songs. It's been a great run, but it's time to reshuffle priorities for a list of reasons I won't go into.

And I wouldn't go into it with the venue owner or anyone else for that matter. Not to be rude, but "ain't nobody's business".

Still, I wanted to make sure not to leave the owner in a lurch like my predecessor did, and I offered to schedule out the rest of the year, with a ridiculously talented bassist covering for me after this Tuesday.

After talking with the owner in person, I texted her a "per our conversation" reiterating my offer to schedule the rest of the year, and followed that up with a to-be-clear:

I'm forever grateful for the opportunity to do Tuesdays. My decision isn't taken lightly and is by no means a reflection on you or [VENUE]. You have been a consistent supporter of live music - I'm sure that's hard to do sometimes. You've also been 100% standup & professional in all my dealings with you. Much respect.​

Looks like I'll be continuing to work with the venue when I've got an open Friday on my schedule, starting in January.

Yeah, I know. Not an interesting topic - kinda boring, actually.

That's ok. "Kinda boring" is underrated.

Sounds like life happening. However, seeing that you are planning to resume doing the sort of same thing with the same principals I place, “I Quit” might be more like, “I’m scaling back”.. p

 

[Pocket Dave]

Sounds like life happening. However, seeing that you are planning to resume doing the sort of same thing with the same principals I place, “I Quit” might be more like, “I’m scaling back”.. p

Fair enough - though definitely quitting Tuesdays. Before I was doing those, she was throwing me a Friday every 4-6 weeks where I'd put together a pickup band playing either bass or fronting on guitar. It was a great way to fill the occasional open date from my regular band - we work most Fridays & Saturdays.

I'd stopped taking Fridays there because I didn't want to burn out on the place - this year I also organized three well-attended, all-afternoon & evening, multiple-band events there - I'm looking forward to going back to the occasional Friday.

 

[MindinAction]

It was great to read a quite story with no drama. Thanks!

 

[slobake]

Agree with most of the other comments here. Ya, done good. Nothing more intelligent to add except that I appreciate you posting this here. We can always use more stories like this. Thanks

 

[nickpc]

"Kinda boring" is underrated.

Great band name, but at the same time a horrible band name - either way I call dibs!

 

[aprod]

“Ain’t nobody business” ? Then why post. We want the juicy details.

 

[Pocket Dave]

“Ain’t nobody business” ? Then why post. We want the juicy details.

I did it to specifically attract this kind of response. 'Guess I had nothin' better to do with my time.

And the juicy details are - it's one of those nunya things.

 

[Joebone]

I did it to specifically attract this kind of response. 'Guess I had nothin' better to do with my time.

And the juicy details are - it's one of those nunya things.

I hate when my nunyas get all thingy...best with that!

 

[logdrum]

As long as you are not quitting TB or life or music.

 

[Lefty Joe]

FWIW, this is really what I expect from bassists: sober, reasonable, just-the-facts without the drama. You know you're not the star (unless you are!), you gotta be doing what you gotta be doing at the right time and in the right place, so others can take the limelight.

I disagree on the "juicy details" mentioned above; it doesn't matter what's changed. Leaving a band or gig graciously is just as important as getting the job. Giving notice or arranging replacement is just professional courtesy.

 

[J Wilson]

It's never wrong to do the right, professional thing.

Hats Off to you.

JW