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I was drafted!

Muttleybass

Muttleybass

Jun 7, 2011
1,754
1,783
Vancouver, BC
www.muttley.ca
#1
I friend of mine and former bandmate has got back into singing after a four year layoff because she had back issues. Degenerated discs in her back that she had replaced a year and a half ago. Last June she finally had recuperated completely (and lost 60 pounds) and was asked to join a working classic rock band. When I saw them, I thought they were 'just okay'. They definitely needed work, but she's a really good singer and can really own a room. It really came across that she was happy to be back.

She had been with them about a month and had only done about three gigs. I was out tinkering in my garage and hadn't noticed the frantic looking texts that were waiting for me. "I need you to call me right away!" "CHECK YOUR MESSAGES!!!" "WHERE ARE YOU!!"

I checked my messages and I could hear the tears through her voice. "Our bass player died. I don't know what to do!" Evidently, after a bout with throat cancer he had developed asthma. He'd had an attack and couldn't find his puffer.

I called her as soon as I could. After the crying eased up a bit, she asked if I'd be willing to fill in with the gig the next weekend. I said absolutely. Anything I could do I would be there. It turned out the rest of her band were all pretty distraught and actually had my whole band do the gig instead of just me filling in.

I filled in the next few gigs while they tried to find someone. I wasn't about to leave my band and they made it clear they want a dedicated, one-band player, so I just kept filling.

After about a month, they asked for my schedule with the other band. I sent it and it turned out there were only two conflicting dates. He sent me an email asking if I could keep those open, to which I said I could.

"Could I make practice Wednesday?" He said.

I said "Sure." A two-nighter was coming up on that weekend.

So, I went to practice. "Okay, band meeting." I kind of ignored it. "Mike, I found subs for the two night you can't make it. Welcome to the band."

"Uhhh... Pardon?" I had made it clear I wasn't going to quit my other band.

"Yep. You're with us now!" He said.

My singer friend went "Yay!" and clapped her hands.

It's been three months now. The band is getting tighter and They're a great bunch of people. I'm having a blast, playing pretty much every weekend until the end of the year.

Kind of a lousy way to get a gig, tho'.
 
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#5
Shovel said:
Christ. I probably would have cancelled the next few gigs if someone DIED, instead of just tried to find a replacement. How long was it after he/she died that she called you?
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--People grieve and handle stress in different ways. I played a gig recently that the drummer had just lost his brother 2 days before. He de stresses with music. He hadn't slept or ate much since his brother died, but he did play his drums....and gigged. He looked terrible, but sounded great. We offered to find a replacement, but he wanted to play.
 
#8
Muttleybass said:
they asked for my schedule with the other band. I sent it and it turned out there were only two conflicting dates. He sent me an email asking if I could keep those open, to which I said I could.
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Not sure I understand this. By "keep those (dates) open" do you mean that you bailed on Band A for those two gigs already booked and decided to do those dates with Band B?
 
#10
Shovel said:
Christ. I probably would have cancelled the next few gigs if someone DIED, instead of just tried to find a replacement. How long was it after he/she died that she called you?
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Cancelling the gig wouldn't have brought him back. At any rate, the OP did say that his whole other band filled in, not just him. The show must go on.
 
#13
xgator4u said:
Mr. Krystal Inman.
Something like THIS?
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No. I would want them to find a guy to fill my role(s.) It might take more than one guy, not because I'm so darn good or something, but because I play keyboards, acoustic guitar, bass, harp and rhythm instruments, as well as back-up and lead vocals, and it is difficult to find people who do all that. Heck I tried to find a second guitar/keyboard player for over a year, and never did find one.
 
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#14
mellowinman said:
No. I would want them to find a guy to fill my role(s.) It might take more than one guy, not because I'm so darn good or something, but because I play keyboards, acoustic guitar, bass, harp and rhythm instruments, as well as back-up and lead vocals, and it is difficult to find people who do all that. Heck I tried to find a second guitar/keyboard player for over a year, and never did find one.
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THEMS a lot of shoes to fill.
Ever see the movie GHOST ?
 
#16
mellowinman said:
If I die, I would want my band to play all their gigs in my honor.
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The next few gigs, we all had a shot of "Fireball" (his favorite drink) in his honour. It was quite touching.

Carl Hillman said:
Not sure I understand this. By "keep those (dates) open" do you mean that you bailed on Band A for those two gigs already booked and decided to do those dates with Band B?
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Nope... I only had two conflicting dates where I was playing with band A. The leader of band B found subs for those two dates. I put it wrong... I should have said he asked me to keep all my available dates open.

Interesting coincidence, we just did a gig this weekend where Band A got a gig at this bar on Saturday and a week later Band B got a gig on the Friday for a cancer fundraiser. 2 bands, one weekend. I didn't have to tear down my PA!
 
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#17
The first fill in gig I did with them after Lyall passed away was at this pub called The Fort in Fort Langley, The night went really well.

At the end of the night when we were packing up there was a hearse parked outside. The driver was in having a beer. He was pretty easy to spot with his black suit and slicked back hair.

I took a look in the back of the hearse and there was a casket in the back, Now, I ain't no genius, but wouldn't a casket mean there would probably be a body in it?

I was kinda wondering if Lyall made it to the gig after all.
 
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#18
Muttleybass said:
The first fill in gig I did with them after Lyall passed away was at this pub called The Fort in Fort Langley, The night went really well.

At the end of the night when we were packing up there was a hearse parked outside. The driver was in having a beer. He was pretty easy to spot with his black suit and slicked back hair.

I took a look in the back of the hearse and there was a casket in the back, Now, I ain't no genius, but wouldn't a casket mean there would probably be a body in it?

I was kinda wondering if Lyall made it to the gig after all.
Click to expand...

One of my favorite posts of all time.
 

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