Live at Billy Bob's Recordings

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 3 Jan 2001 9:15 am

I did a live recording at Billy Bob's in Ft. Worth TX. almost 2 years ago. The rest of the band and I have yet to be paid for it. We all refused to sign waivers giving up any rights we had to compensation. The bandleader has contacted the Ft. Worth Local and the International AFM, but it seems that nothing has been done about it. I know that some other people have done this same thing at Billy Bob's, but I'm wondering if they have gotten paid or not. If any of you people have experienced this at Billy Bob's, I'd like to know if anything was ever done about it. Also, I'd like to forewarn any of the rest of you what to expect if you are confronted about doing a live recording there.

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Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 3 Jan 2001 9:48 am

You might check with Norm Hamlet. I know Merle did at least one live a Billy Bob's recording.

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 3 Jan 2001 3:05 pm

Thanks Jim, that's a good idea. I'll give 'ole Norman a holler.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 3 Jan 2001 3:11 pm

Most states have a Small Claims Court (no lawyers allowed) where you can recover up to a limit of $5000 or so.

Just show the contract to the judge, and you should get a judgment.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 3 Jan 2001 6:53 pm

Heck - I tried that in a home buying dispute recently. I got a 'judgement' alright. Yup, I sure got me a real fine 'judgment' outta that one....

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 4 Jan 2001 8:42 am

Steve, all you have to do is take the "Judgement" and a dollar to any cafe and you can get a cup of coffee.
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

John Paul Jones · Post by **John Paul Jones** » 4 Jan 2001 1:47 pm

Are you sure that Billy Bob's is responsible for paying you?

Who contracted the band to make the recording? That's the responsible party.

Do you have it in writing?

Good luck with this one.

John Paul Jones.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 4 Jan 2001 7:10 pm

All I know is whatever Norm Hamlet was paid for Merle's Live at BB Texas album, it wasn't enough.

Sorry, but I never miss a chance to talk about my all time favorite Hag album.

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HagFan

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 5 Jan 2001 8:21 am

John,

Billy Bob's was not the responsible party. It was an independent recording co. I didn't mean this as a slam to Billy Bob's. What galds me is the fact that we did what we were supposed to do by refusing to sign waivers relinquishing any rights to compensation, and they still went ahead and recorded, and put the recording out on the market. I get mad every time I see an advertisement on it. I sort of think maybe someone in the Union got paid something to look the other way. Don't quote me, because I have no proof of this. I just posted this thing, originally to see if it had happened to anyone else there, and to forewarn any of you who may be confronted with this.

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Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 5 Jan 2001 8:01 pm

Bob, Buddy Hrabal told me that he heard of a similar problem with a Lynn Anderson concert at Billy Bob's a few years ago and the Fort Worth Musician's Union: http://www.musiciansdfw.org/ got involved and collected some money. Check with Ray Hair, the local president at 817-469-6040 or email them at: musiciansdfw@earthlink.net Hope that helps!

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Jim Smith jimsmith94@home.com
-=Dekley D-12 10&12=-
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Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 6 Jan 2001 5:01 pm

Jim,

Thanks, I will check with our bandleader, and see if he has talked to them. I don't want to "muddy up the water" if he's already talked to him, but I'll try to get to the bottom of what's going on. Again, Thanks!

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Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 7 Jan 2001 8:04 am

Good luck, and keep us informed as this is a really interesting case Bob.