It's threads like this that reinforce my decision years ago to become a hired gun. I won't tolerate fools who undermine my reputation, and neither should you. Best wishes for preserving this Friday's gig and the November gig.
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I think I have to walk.
- Thread starter Dusty Elmer
- Start date
If y'all think this then he is free to do whatever he wants. Nobody is irreplaceable.
I don’t think we need to attribute a sinister motive to the booking guy that is taking the Queen show. We don’t have a reason to think that he’s lining his pockets. Typically this is a low paying showcase type of multi band gig.
From where I sit, it’s more likely a pal of his is organizing the show and he thinks it will be more fun.
As for the cancellation of tomorrow’s show, I would write that off to passive/aggressive behavior. He’s upset that OP overstepped by booking gigs, so the alpha dog is taking back his yard.
Time to kick rocks down the road.
From where I sit, it’s more likely a pal of his is organizing the show and he thinks it will be more fun.
As for the cancellation of tomorrow’s show, I would write that off to passive/aggressive behavior. He’s upset that OP overstepped by booking gigs, so the alpha dog is taking back his yard.
Time to kick rocks down the road.
If I didn't know better I'd think the "main booker" feels threatened by the 2 quality gigs you got thus posing a threat to his position. Maybe he is just trying to pull rank on you to reassert dominance.
Stupid move if that's the case. I'd just call a band meeting and call him out in front of everyone and ask what's up with that? Casually mention that this could harm everyone's reputation for the sake of ... what exactly is this Queen gig getting you all anyway?
My bet is he is the one that will walk with the spotlight shining on him like that. There ain't no sense in hanging yourself over his stupidity. Just hand the rope over to him and see what he does with it.
Stupid move if that's the case. I'd just call a band meeting and call him out in front of everyone and ask what's up with that? Casually mention that this could harm everyone's reputation for the sake of ... what exactly is this Queen gig getting you all anyway?
My bet is he is the one that will walk with the spotlight shining on him like that. There ain't no sense in hanging yourself over his stupidity. Just hand the rope over to him and see what he does with it.
But at 26 shouldn't they be way past that crud, sounds like stuff that happened at 16 not 26
Maybe some open honest discussion so they have the chance to see things more realistically. If they cant well then this band is a
.
And you may well need to
Beat me to it. IMO the possible outcomes are:
- Best: The rest of the band will come to their senses, the "main booker" will recognize his faults (and/or feel a little shame) and you'll proceed with your gig.
- Medium: The other band members will side with you, faced with an ultimatum the "main booker" will go ballistic and you'll proceed with your gig with a sub on bass.
- Medium: The other band members will side with the "main booker", you walk and do your gig with a different band.
- Worst: The other band members will side with the "main booker", you walk and have to cancel your gig.
I'd go through the band meeting anyway. The worst scenario is still better than letting the douchey main booker disrespect you that way - and establishing he can get away with it.
Hell no.
I would call/text/email him and cancel any other gigs, business you have with him, pronto. He is probably already working on replacing your band with another for the other gig you have booked with him. Good riddance.
No.
The sooner the better. Peace.
I’d figure out how to dump the “main booker” and let him assemble his Queen tribute on his own time.
I would, then again Ive quit bands for less
Remove his date and put yours back, remind him of your documented discussions and dates, call the queen venue and cancel for him.
Edit: I see the date is today - make sure the Queen venue knows your band will not be there. Use the other guys name if you have to and be rude enough they’ll never let the other members on stage if they do show up. Call the rest of the band and make sure they know where to go to get $100 each and keep a promise.
If the one bozo that wants to flake does, just do without him.
If the whole band ditches you for the date you verified, ghost em and play with your own band of whomever you can find in time.
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Tell them you're moving to the adults' table and kiss them goodbye. He has made a really stupid move that will harm the band's reputation.
As fast as you can. And call the other bandmembers and tell them EXACTLY what went down.You did the right thing by first checking with your bandmates (including your "main booker") to confirm that they were okay with those two dates at the local ale house before telling the ale house that you are good to go for those two dates. You then made the commitment to the ale house for those two dates.
IMO, the "main booker" in your band is a complete "dweebus maximus" for the irresponsible (and totally disrespectful) stunt he subsequently pulled, especially since he (and the other band members) *agreed* to doing both gigs at the local ale house on those two dates, *AND* because you made it clear that you were not available on Nov 22 for the Queen gig.
It sounds to me like you need to hook up with musicians who actually act like adults.
Plus, he hung you out to dry for the Nov 22 ale house gig without even telling you. I would walk without hesitation. Actually, I would run!
This. Plus, if I understand correctly, the Ale House gig is a 3 piece, and the Queen gig is a full band...? Booker may just prefer the full band gigs and/or may be working toward those strongly. That might explain his thought process more.
Still a di** move to book over the 11/22 gig. And doubly so to bow out of tomorrow's gig.
Concur with the opinions of finding subs for the November Ale House gig and building a new band. If bass player and guitarist are joined at the hip, you're the odd man out. Time to restart.
To me, to me... du-du-du-du-duu-duu - du-du-du-du-duu-duu
(And we all know how it goes from there...)
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Another good reason to have contracts when booking gigs. It holds both sides to their ends of the bargain.
I did a string of gigs in Colorado back in the day with a guy like that. Complete scumbag. The guy was getting rich and the rest of the band couldn't afford to eat.
John
I’m not a particularly forgiving person. That move by the booker would sour me permanently. I’d tell the other members what happened and I’d walk. No drama, being direct has always worked for me.
In theory. This guy is not good to his word, so I doubt breaking a contract would faze him. Realistically, what's the venue gonna do?
You need to handle that situation. You were already booked, and that’s that.
80 percent of life is showing up. In music it's higher than that. When you tell someone you're going to do something, you do it. Money, prestige, girlfriends that want you to do something - none of that trumps the fact that you made a commitment.
"Main Booker guy" will eventually learn this. You can help him, either by 'splainin' it to him, or by backing out, and 'splainin' to everyone around him why you're backing out - even if they don't get it the first time it's said, they will all eventually realize you were the wise one. Your new band may involve some of the other folks in the old band that want to work with professionals, not squirrely kids that have no knowledge of what they're doing.
Now you gotta go talk to the Ale House guy about what happened to you - I'd suggest you tell him precisely what happened, and that you can't get a band assembled for the close in date, but might for the second, and ask how much notice he'll need on that one. If he's a good guy, he'll work with you, and you might salvage a good relationship out of that, which, as it turns out, is worth more than the stupid band you're leaving.
"Main Booker guy" will eventually learn this. You can help him, either by 'splainin' it to him, or by backing out, and 'splainin' to everyone around him why you're backing out - even if they don't get it the first time it's said, they will all eventually realize you were the wise one. Your new band may involve some of the other folks in the old band that want to work with professionals, not squirrely kids that have no knowledge of what they're doing.
Now you gotta go talk to the Ale House guy about what happened to you - I'd suggest you tell him precisely what happened, and that you can't get a band assembled for the close in date, but might for the second, and ask how much notice he'll need on that one. If he's a good guy, he'll work with you, and you might salvage a good relationship out of that, which, as it turns out, is worth more than the stupid band you're leaving.
