Let's Cut to the Chase!

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 24 Jul 2007 11:33 am

Given all the "frank and forthright exchange of views" about today's country groups and whether or not they are "country," how good or bad they are, what you like about them despite yourself, etc., etc., here's the scenario:

Your phone rings, and it's "their people," asking if you will sub for their steel player tomorrow night (and be paid what s/he would earn, of course).

Beyond the money, publicity, prestige, bragging rights, ecstacy of playing for its own sake, nothing-to-do-that-night-anyway, etc., etc.

. . . would you do it and why?

For myself, I would not, as I wouldn't know what to play and don't need to embarrass myself to that extent.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 24 Jul 2007 12:43 pm

James I would in a heartbeat because I would have to learn new songs,that makes my brain work,I love dissecting songs like a laboratory frog.There's a good chance that I would make a bunch of new friends and If I did my homework correctly I would accomplish the mission that I set out to do.I don't have to be in love with a song to put my heart into it.I guarantee that I would learn something from the experience I am not a front guy,What I do is back people up to the best of my ability.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 24 Jul 2007 1:36 pm

Hmmm, a tough question that could be a sole searcher for any musician.

I have played back up to Jazz, R&B, Pop & Country and, old time dance; however, I have never tried backing up a rock group. (In my estimation, most modern country today is very much rock oriented.)

Maybe if I had a chance to sit in and jam with a country rock group and learn the chord structure and changes they use, I might be tempted to take the chance of taking on the type of gig you mention. Doing it cold turkey however, I would have to say "I would turn down the opportunity."

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 24 Jul 2007 1:54 pm

There are three principles to any gig:

1) Players
2) Music
3) Money

As long as two of the three are acceptable, the third won't bother you as much. i.e. ...

If the Players and Money are good, the Elvis impersonator you're working for won't bother you (much).

If the Music and Money are good, you can stand ol' Ruff's occasional missed bath.

If the Players and Music are good, you'll find a second job to make up for the pay discrepancy.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 24 Jul 2007 2:18 pm

What Mikey said... I've used the same criteria many times.

Stu S. also is right on with his comments.

A professional musician, who depends on the amount of work coming in for his livelihood, doesn't usually have the freedom to cherry pick gigs based on personal preferences, likes/dislikes, or principles. If the phone rings, you answer it; if the date's open, chances are you take it.

Life in the real world, not the hobby lobby.

Joe Butcher · Post by **Joe Butcher** » 24 Jul 2007 3:26 pm

If you're a working musician, you have to put aside the inner critic, and just look at it as a challenge.

Alot of us have worked day jobs we hated for some company that sold a product that was cr*p. No biggie. Everyones gotta put food on the table somehow, and I'd rather have it be from playing music than flipping burgers or swinging a hammer.

Although, I saw a gig on here not too long ago that sounded pretty lucratiuve, but the music was downright embarrasing......ahhh, hypocrisy!!!

Whatever.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 24 Jul 2007 5:35 pm

What do you do when an old pal asks you to do a date 90 days in advance for 1/2 your usual rate (and you don't like the music) and your regular band (10 dates a month) has a gig that nite?
Who do you piss off?

erik · Post by **erik** » 24 Jul 2007 5:38 pm

Bo Borland wrote:What do you do when an old pal asks you to do a date 90 days in advance for 1/2 your usual rate (and you don't like the music) and your regular band (10 dates a month) has a gig that nite?
Who do you piss off?

That's easy, you tell the old pal to reschedule.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 24 Jul 2007 8:25 pm

Music is music.
I will play most anything, if it is well done;

If the people are nice, and pro but easy going.

I get paid a respectful amount.

The music is done by musicians
and not actors/posers pretending
to be musicians.

I just walked from a verision of a band.
Why? Because I was being told by the newest member
which string to play an E note on my bass....

Because this other individual had been
on a stage 25 years ago with the player
who had written the part, of a cover song,
and saw HIM play that string.

And so I clearly don't know enough
to play my OWN instrument of 37 years,
and must be told. Over and over. Yeah right.

Money Ok, music solid enough and working.
But... sorry charlie;
can't stand the working situation.

If you don't like how you're treated,
don't take the gig. You'll quit eventually.

If you don't like the music,
don't take the gig.
You won't play it well anyway.

If the pay is not enough to profit
or feel 'compensated'
don't take the gig.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 24 Jul 2007 9:16 pm

I take them all,If it don't work out,and they don't call again,so what? If my phone does not ring,I'll know it's them.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 24 Jul 2007 10:06 pm

On some gigs, you get to influence the style of music played, or even call the shots. On others, you
play what the situation demands. To be a good leader, you have to know how to be a good soldier.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 24 Jul 2007 10:10 pm

Just to add, some of the most enjoyeble situations I have been involved in were when I didn't initially think I would enjoy the gig, but had to learn a new batch of unfamiliar material that I ultimately found to be quite challenging.

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 25 Jul 2007 7:53 am

Thanks for all this insight (and any which may yet appear). It's clear I left a few factors out of the equation

.

Cheers and health!

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 25 Jul 2007 8:02 am

Rereading the original post.

If they were nice people
the music was good,
the pay was good,
the prestige was good,
AND
they had good charts.

Heck take the gig,
you might get seen by another act
and they grab you up BECAUSE
they saw you with another big act;
even if you didn't fit in 100%

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 25 Jul 2007 4:34 pm

Of course I would do it...

Exposure, experience, a different scene from the normal.

tp

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 25 Jul 2007 5:56 pm

Nope, sorry...I guess I'm the only weird one. $:\$ There's just some singers, bands, and types of music out there I don't want to be a part of. I'm (finally) at the point in my life where I can't be bought, or otherwise cajoled into doing something I don't feel like doing.

Fame and fortune really don't mean much to me.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 25 Jul 2007 6:37 pm

Donny Hinson wrote:I'm (finally) at the point in my life where I can't be bought,
or otherwise cajoled into doing something I don't feel like doing.

Donny I can dig that big time this week.
Cajoled, badgered, harrassed, embarassed, lectured;
none of them fly.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 25 Jul 2007 8:13 pm

Well - unless I was confident I could pull it off OK, I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole.

But with that caveat, 10-15 years ago, I sure would have if it met something like Mikey's 2/3 criterion - but on guitar, since I didn't play PSG then. I wouldn't have flinched at a marathon woodshed session if I thought I could get ready in time.

But now - it would have to really be interesting, and not interfere with what I currently have going on, which is about all I can handle. You see, I like my work and gigs and I don't like to PO the people I work with by dumping them on short notice for the ostensibly greener grass next door.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 26 Jul 2007 3:15 am

The initial post asks if we would SUB for a player..I took it as 1 gig..

not go on the road for 6 years..

Ya grab the guys CD , you listen for a night or so or at least on the WAY TO THE GIG, and you advise the guy that you are not real familiar with his material, if he says no big deal , do the best you can..

whats the problem ?

have you never learned a song on the way to a gig in the car ?

It's about the songs, not the Steel Guitar player.... the audience most likely couldn't even tell you the name of the Instrument let alone who the player is !

SAFE MODE..you learn the song on the first verse, play SAFE on the second and if they let you play some more after that then go for it ..or not..

It's a Country Band scenario, I doubt George Benson is gonna be playing Lead Guitar that night...

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 26 Jul 2007 4:15 am

If George Benson called,
I'd answer, I am SURE he has great charts.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 26 Jul 2007 4:21 am

Well if George Benson calls my house and asks for me to fill in with him then I am gonna have to rethink my position on George Benson!

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 26 Jul 2007 8:29 am

I listen to very little contemporary commercial radio - country or otherwise. If it's a new country band, chances are fairly good that I don't know anything about any of the songs whatsoever. So to get ready for a gig like this, I would need to at least listen to the tunes, make out simple number charts, and figure out where critical fills and solos are - I don't read this scenario as a quick prep for one tune. Like I said, if it seemed like an interesting gig and I didn't have to jettison my normal responsibilities to get ready, I'd do it. I have no beef with playing music I don't listen to.

I have subbed for original bands I've never heard before. I consider the above preparation mandatory - I don't like looking like an idiot onstage. If one has no idea what's going on, that's a very real possibility, depending on the complexity of the material.

Let's just say that I'm not exactly sitting around the phone waiting for calls like this.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 26 Jul 2007 3:23 pm

Well Dave, you know what they say...if the phones not ringing, you know who's not calling ..!

Don't feel too bad, they didn't just loose my number, they threw it away

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 26 Jul 2007 3:31 pm

I get calls like that all the time. Its really about the money. If the money is right the players are usually great. Often I end up liking the music. I just got a pile of gigs from a cold call to play at Birdland with the lead from the musical "Legally Blond". Laura Bell turned out to be fantasticly talented and the music is a joy. I took the gig because that is how I make a living and found myself in a very new and different scene that I'm enjoying quite a bit.
It makes me a better musician and a more happy person to learn how to deal with whatever musical situation comes up. I spend very little time judging the genre or style of music I end up playing. Although I do tack on a prohibitively massive surcharge if anything by Kenny Chesney or Toby Keith is involved.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 26 Jul 2007 7:51 pm

This needs to change.