The end of a saga

[shadow_FIX]

You weren't getting paid for this gig.

They treated you and your friend like crap.

The lady sounds like a biatch.

Tell them no unless you REALLY like the band.

 

[NicJimBass]

Having played in a Christian hard rock band for several years, I can sympathize with the whole idea of not getting paid, or getting terms switched at the last second. Seems as though people think you owe them for them allowing you to play a show. We tended to shrug it off, as much as possible, as we were doing it as a ministry, and didn't want to leave a bad taste in people's mouths, but after a while, we just got sick of it. If people wanted to screw us over, we saw it, and dealt with it.

You should not play for them anymore, unless they genuinely realize their error, and offer a hearfelt apology. Even then, there's no guarantee it wouldn't happen again. Give them the number of another bass player, preferably much worse than you, and open their eyes to what a true "free" bass player is all about.

 

[Slaine01]

Used to do a lot of charity gigs till one of the organisers for one specific charity let slip that 80% of the money raised went to admin costs - just didnt sit well with me after that.

 

[AltGrendel]

I have been in broadcasting for over 30 years, and i am noticing a lot of the new folks do not know anything about basic common manners. Even though it is a business ALL about communication, there is less and less of it.... Today, a few of us were talking about an Earth Wind and Fire\Chicago show that we are airing and one of the young (and very sweet personaally) free lancers walked in and in the middle of someone elses comment, with total disregard to people in the middle of a conversation, just started talking about something else out of the blue. I took her aside later to playfully give her a hard time about interrupting without at least saying excuse me or waiting for a break. i have come to the conclusion people today don't care about manners or interperssonal communication because all they do is text and stay on the phone...this girl had no idea that she had done anything wrong...which to me, says she was never taught to begin with...

Ditto on seeing this all the time.

 

[drteeth]

Ugh. People who do not keep true to their word AND who are offended when called on it. Don't work with these people.

 

[shadowtippy]

IMO, they stiffed you for your "pay" and you called them on it. I would have a hard time helping out again, if I were you. The lack of response to earlier requests of your's and the lack of manners when you did receive the gift card seem to show that you don't rank very high with them.

 

[TheVoiceless]

I have been in broadcasting for over 30 years, and i am noticing a lot of the new folks do not know anything about basic common manners. Even though it is a business ALL about communication, there is less and less of it.... Today, a few of us were talking about an Earth Wind and Fire\Chicago show that we are airing and one of the young (and very sweet personaally) free lancers walked in and in the middle of someone elses comment, with total disregard to people in the middle of a conversation, just started talking about something else out of the blue. I took her aside later to playfully give her a hard time about interrupting without at least saying excuse me or waiting for a break. i have come to the conclusion people today don't care about manners or interperssonal communication because all they do is text and stay on the phone...this girl had no idea that she had done anything wrong...which to me, says she was never taught to begin with...Instead of bowing out gracefully...you need to speak up and explain why it "Chapped your A-s-s" the way it was handled. Maybe they will understand why they need to show some gratitude, when someone not even involved, goes out of thier way in order to help not only a friend but the organizers of the event, and the position it put you in...a lot of people need a little mental spanking every now and then!

I don't think its just a generational defect. Saying sorry is a no no these days. First thing people learn is DENY DENY, and an apology is an admission of guilt. Also many people just have horrible communication skills. Cause either the just don't care or are usually a bit slow. I can say that I know many of these people ( interrupt conversations/change subjects out of no where) and they may not have drool coming out of their mouth, but they are no gleaming light of genius either.

Something I have learned the hard way is your communication skills are a true sign of intelligence. Spelling, grammar were not that important to me a few years ago. But I think the negative light it can reflect about a person's intelligence made me more conscious of how I represent myself these days.

Let's just say its improved with the help of spell check and the willingness to use it.

 

[bag_of_dirt]

Well-run non-profits live by a golden rule that goes, "Thank before you bank." Sounds like this isn't one of those

I've been around non-profits for about 15 years (not as a musician) and they're almost always a mess... Staffed by board members who are just there to socialize, gold-brick ideologues, well-meaning but unskilled amateurs, drama queens of every kind, and if you're lucky, one or two frazzled professionals. I've donated to non-profits that couldn't even be bothered to send me a receipt, much less a thank-you note.

All this to say I wouldn't take their behavior personally.

 

[LowKee]

The only real reason I felt like there was a chance I would do it again is because I am friends with two of the other performers. Call me mercenary but the main reason I was doing it in the first place was for the networking. Like I said before, there are a lot of local celebrities and business people involved and attending and I was hoping to maybe get a paying gig out of it from the publicity. I don't think I'll be playing for them again.

 

[caeman]

This sort of behavior is never going to end. People have been acting like jerks for centuries. Just ignore the people and follow the charities you like to work for. You never know what impression you might make on someone in the crowd.

 

[BassyBill]

Our band has been given the runaround on some work for charity stuff in the past - gigs cancelled at short notice, no hint of apology, lack of understanding of the business and so on. Now when the person who has messed us about in these respects calls us to book, we just say "sorry, not available".