Sub gig coming and no setlists yet!

[LowActionHero]

If my band was rolling with a sub, I'd talk em into using the exact setlist from the last show and forward that to the sub as soon as they agreed to sub. No surprise songs at the gig. Why make things more complicated than they need to be.

 

[lfmn16]

I’ll never understand this. If you have a sub willing to put in the time and hard work to nail your tunes, how stupid and lazy do you have to be to not send them a song list?

 

[DWBass]

I'm not playing that game. Give me a songlist or I'm out.

 

[Bonafide]

I love how every time this type of thread pops up it turns into a ‘well, I’m so awesome that I could walk in and play it cold’ bragging competition. Telling the guy to rethink accepting sub gigs? What a DB comment. One sure way to grow as a player is to push yourself and put yourself under some pressure - and that’s exactly what the OP is trying to do! Maybe a number of guys on here who have been playing out live for 30+ years could walk in and hit a good number of the right notes, possibly even something resembling a signature riff or two. But then again, maybe you’ll actually just suck, but not realize the difference. I’ve found that generally in my area anyways, the guys that think they can just roll in and play anything are pretty delusional about their actual ability level - even for classic country (say, pre-1990). It obviously would be different if I lived in Nashville, Austin, or the like. Audiences at a country gig aren’t going to realize either way.

I agree, plenty of posturing in this thread.

Two things I can say for certain - One, As a sub, I'll take anything I can get. Anything to help myself and the other musicians. If I can't get time, I'll take charts. If those are not available, i'll take any cues from any band member anytime and let them know I am available for them. And two, no two gigs/setlists/musicians/BLs are the same.

IMO 'classic country' is far more transparent and revealing of mistakes from the bassist. Particularly if you include western swing and or do not actually listen to classic country as fan of the genre.

I concur with Kieth Rosiers book. It likley wouldn't be much help on this gig, but it's a bonafide classic. All the best whatever you decide.

 

[mrcbass]

Yeah, that's always tough. I'm always amazed at how casual bands are about giving subs every opportunity to allow them to make the band sound good. So far I haven't any uncooperative bands for my sub gigs (have had more issues getting a locked down set list from my own band!), but I have had a couple of very short notice calls. I do what I can to be prepared. But I doubt that I would even accept a sub gig with no knowledge of the playlist at all : "I'm available and interested, but need to be sure I can help you: Show me the list."

In your shoes, I'd definitely want to know at least which artists they favor. C/W has a couple of distinct approaches. I'm not a C/W guy, but could probably fake my way through old school stuff. The more modern C/W is a lot more complicated (and fun).

 

[pepj]

40 songs is a lot, but then so is a month.

If you want bail, then set a time limit.

They might be thinking their classic set is entirely buskable, but you will not know that until you get the list.
What else do you know about them?
Do they have a SM presense with video etc..
Do you know how they sound?

Too many open questions so far.
I'm not keen to take Subs unless the band/players are known and recommended.
The set itself is not so high on the list.
I tend to get 70's or modern, which means anything from 90's onwards.

I don't want 80's by and large..but depends