Jump to content


Please note: You can easily log in to MPN using your Facebook account!

Dilemma: Job I have always wanted may come available (long?)


Recommended Posts

Ok a little background! I have played Blues and Soul all my life but it has not been a money maker for me. So I have found my way into the Beach Music scene where the money is in the southeast. (I will discuss BeachMusic later for those who don't know) There is a band on the scene that plays a swampier style with a lot more blues and I have always coveted that band as my dream gig!

The opportunity:

I get a call after my show Saturday Night from the band leader of the swamp band, and he is obviously drunk!!! He offers me the job! I am confused and he tells me he fired the band (other than his writing partner Guitar player). He has previously announced this is the final year of the band and he will be moving to a new area next year. So if I took the gig it would be for 9 months. I would be looking work come January. This is a well known band in this market and it would add to my resume, but only if he picks up another good drummer and bass player. I wonder who would be good enough (and not working) or would leave a working band to play for 9 months?

 

I know the band leaders reputation for drinking too much on stage and apparently there has been a marked increase in this behavior in the past 6 months. I also know the band members who were fired and have talked to them and it has gotten ugly! I also know other details I cannot divulge about the guys who would be left behind had he not fired them.

 

This band works 250 show a year and so I figure the balance of the year will be somewhere between 195-215 shows. I already have on my books 120 shows so it would be an increase but not huge since I will continue to book and I ended up with 170+ shows last year.

Do I give up my sure thing to get in a band that I know has no future and a drinking band leader. If it was with the same line up (great drummer and bass player) I PROBABLY would take it and just hang on. But it seems too many variables and add into it the leader seems to be imploding.

Thoughts???

Jimmy

 

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho

NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT

www.steveowensandsummertime.com

www.jimmyweaver.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites



  • Replies 29
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

(Dilemma)

 

I understand the temptation but this does not sound like a stable situation. Anyone who is able to fire a long-time band in a drunken post-gig rage, is surely able to fire some new guy even more easily. To my mind this sounds like the crazy one you leave your wife for and then end up with neither.

 

One option would be to agree to fill in on a limited basis until he finds a band. That gives you the resume item but leaves you the freedom to take only the gigs you want with him, and stop whenever you like.

Now out! "Mind the Gap," a 24-song album of new material.
www.joshweinstein.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds like a disaster in the making. Even without the drinking/drama, leaving your current outfit for a temp gig would be inadvisable, unless you've got plans to turn that into something else. Do you really want to be looking for employment 9 months from now (or sooner if drama pulls this outfit apart before then)?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

what if the drunken band leader changes his mind after a few months ?

 

And who wants to do business with a drunk ?

 

Just a few red flags.

Why fit in, when you were born to stand out ?

My Soundcloud with many originals:

[70's Songwriter]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do I give up my sure thing to get in a band that I know has no future and a drinking band leader.

 

Tough one. :(

 

I'm really interested to hear more about BeachMusic, though. :)

 

Ashevillcabbie, Beach Music is term used in the southeast (mostly VA,NC,SC and GA that describes a genre consisting of old soul (Soloman Burke, Sam & Dave, Joe Tex, Otis Redding) and Rhythm & Blues ( Otis Clay, Keb Moe, Delbert McClinton) and even a few more local groups like The Tams, Bill Deal and The Rondells, The Embers. It is based around a dance we call The Shag (not to be confused with the British). It has a strong back beat and mostly a shuffle beat. There are many books available to get more in depth, but there are many bands playing this throughout the Carolinas.

Bands: The Embers, Steve Owens and Summertime, The Holiday Band (I have or still play with those) and The Catalina's, The Entertainers, Band Of Oz, The Tams, Gary Lowder and Smokin' Hot, Tim Clark Band and many more.

Jimmy

 

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho

NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT

www.steveowensandsummertime.com

www.jimmyweaver.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yea Guys, my brain knows this is a train wreck, but my heart is so tempted!!! I love the style of music he does and wish more bands would do it. But he has carved a special nitch out and has been successful. This guy has won entertainer of the year more times than I can count. CBMA Awards (Carolina Beach Music Awards)

Jimmy

 

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho

NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT

www.steveowensandsummertime.com

www.jimmyweaver.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The new band should have the same name as the general impression of this situation: Six Red Flags Over Georgia (or Raleigh, in your case). :)

 

Are The Embers still existent? I had seen them in 1966 at a Fall dance at East Carolina University and that was the first time I saw a Fender Rhodes piano bass. I started using one after that and for many years until synths and modern keyboards replaced them. They were the top Beach Music group at that time & for many years after. Also, are Doug Clark & The Hot Nuts still existent or has Doug shuffled off this mortal coil by now? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread. But getting back onto the subject, it sounds like a risky move. Best of luck either way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a question. If his outfit is closing in 9 months or sooner, maybe now's the time for someone else (you) to put together a replacement project? There are 250 bookings a year that are going to be free come 2020.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The new band should have the same name as the general impression of this situation: Six Red Flags Over Georgia (or Raleigh, in your case). :)

 

Are The Embers still existent? I had seen them in 1966 at a Fall dance at East Carolina University and that was the first time I saw a Fender Rhodes piano bass. I started using one after that and for many years until synths and modern keyboards replaced them. They were the top Beach Music group at that time & for many years after. Also, are Doug Clark & The Hot Nuts still existent or has Doug shuffled off this mortal coil by now? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread. But getting back onto the subject, it sounds like a risky move. Best of luck either way.

 

Ben, The Embers are still around and still one of the top bands. I had the Honor of playing with them for several years. The KB player you saw with the Rhodes bass was likely my friend Durwood Martin who has the Martin Davis band now. He is a heck of a player.

Doug Clark and The Hot Nuts are not around anymore. They faded fast after Doug died.

 

BluMonk, I have thought about starting a group trying to fill the void, but it is the front guy who makes that band happen. He is everybody's best friend. At least the audience/fans think so. Very personable engaging front man. Without him the group would struggle to find work. And the band (before this breakup) is a tight ass band!!!

 

Jimmy

 

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho

NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT

www.steveowensandsummertime.com

www.jimmyweaver.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I could be wrong, but it sounds like there are enough players in your area and that you know a number of other musicians. If this band leader has the reputation you have described, what would it look like for you to leave your current band and join his knowing that he's said that he will be done in 9 months?

 

If I were you... I get my current band to go to one of the swamp band's shows and listen to a set or two. I ask my current band if they'd consider working this music into your guys' repertoire. I also explain how their time may be limited, but over the course of 9 months they could bone up on swamp band material and take over some of their gigs once the original swamp band implodes.

 

Win-win. You stay in a stable band that you're familiar with. You get to scratch that swamp band itch. Your band is more marketable and reaches a bigger scope. More gigs.

 

That's just my two cents! Reminds me of my group from high school that played country music, rock, and Mexican music. You can imagine how the sets changed between bar gigs, fairs, weddings and quinceaneras.

MainStage; Hammond SK1-73; Roland XP-80, JV-90, JV-1080, JV-1010, AX-1; Korg microSAMPLER;

Boss DR-880; Beat Buddy; Neo Instruments Ventilator; TC Electronic ND-1 Nova Delay

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd sit down with him when he's sober (!) and be honest... that you've always wanted to work with him, but if it's a temporary position you can't justify the move.

 

It seems like you've already crossed the line when it comes to working with a leader who's a drunk. I (for one) will never do that again - so for me personally, it would be an immediate and unqualified no.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds like way too many unknowns and negatives to outweigh basically the one positive that you like their genre. Doesn't sound worth it to bail on the good thing it sounds like you have going to pursue a temporary-by-definition gig with a bandleader who's a drunk and not even knowing if there will be a decent rhythm section on board. Just see if you can get a few more "swampier" tunes that you'd dig onto the set list for the beach band!

Rich Forman

Yamaha MOXF8, Korg Kronos 2-61, Roland Fantom X7, Ferrofish B4000+ organ module, Roland VR-09, EV ZLX12P, K&M Spider Pro stand,

Yamaha S80, Korg Trinity Plus

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I don't know if it would be easy for you to get this new gig AND -at the same time- find a replacement for your own gigs, without giving them up totally.

If this is possible, you will be fully booked the remaining of this year, and you will make two guys happy: the new band's boss and the guy who will replace you on your own gigs wherever you can't...

 

After all, going with this new band does not require no contract for you. If you are happy with them, you stay for these 9 months. If not, you leave. You can just take advantage of this new situation till the guys puts it on stop mode. And then you can go back to your old gigs

Just my thoughts

 

Be grateful for what you've got - a Nord, a laptop and two hands
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like a lot of others here have said, Jimmy, if it was me I wouldn't be too quick to make this move. That particular beach may look inviting, but it sounds like the coastline is eroding.

Live: Yamaha S70XS (#1); Roland Jupiter-80; Mackie 1202VLZ4: IEMs or Traynor K4

Home: Hammond SK Pro 73; Moog Minimoog Voyager Electric Blue; Yamaha S70XS (#2); Wurlitzer 200A

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a question. If his outfit is closing in 9 months or sooner, maybe now's the time for someone else (you) to put together a replacement project? There are 250 bookings a year that are going to be free come 2020.

^^^This. Maybe a couple of the recently-fired band members would be motivated to collaborate with you. From the way you describe the situation, an opportunity might present itself sooner rather than later.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a question. If his outfit is closing in 9 months or sooner, maybe now's the time for someone else (you) to put together a replacement project? There are 250 bookings a year that are going to be free come 2020.

 

And perhaps even a decent rhythm section for the asking. They don't just grow on trees you know :-)

 

-Z-

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From a friend: NO, simply no. I do like the idea of putting yourself in a position when the train-wreck crashes.

Sit in as an outsider with no commitment on the times that it doesn't affect your own schedule - maybe.

 

You have spent WAY too much time building things up for yourself since the situation several years ago that was sudden to gamble on something with this much risk.

 

I'll give an example (though not musical) from my own life: A couple of years ago, my regular eye doctor tried to get me to go for it with operation for glaucoma and cataract. I did what I THOUGHT was a risk analysis: blind already in one eye, take a chance with the other - no way. Finally, after seeing the specialist the just performed the procedure, I began to see that my risk analysis was very faulty, in that I had only considered what might happen IF I went forward, and not what might happen if I just left things as they were. BINGO - 1% risk with operation, 20% or higher without operation.

Amazing just how quickly my plans changed once I really did a full critical analysis.

 

Emotion in this decision is not your friend. What would you be recommending to a good friend if they were the one jonesing for grabbing the ring on the carousel that was about to fall apart?

 

Jim

 

Howard Grand|Hamm SK1-73|Kurz PC2|PC2X|PC3|PC3X|PC361; QSC K10's

HP DAW|Epi Les Paul & LP 5-str bass|iPad mini2

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Jim

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like a lot of others here have said, Jimmy, if it was me I wouldn't be too quick to make this move. That particular beach may look inviting, but it sounds like the coastline is eroding.

 

Don, You are very insightful. As much as my heart wants to do this my mind is over riding making the move. Plus the possibilities are opening up for an alternative situation. I will sit back and evaluate as the scene unfolds.

Jimmy

 

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho

NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT

www.steveowensandsummertime.com

www.jimmyweaver.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jimmy, hold the line. No matter how tempting, do not cast your lot with the drunk bandleader.

 

This situation will set you up for bigger and better things on that local music scene. Hang in there mayne. :cool:

PD

 

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like a lot of others here have said, Jimmy, if it was me I wouldn't be too quick to make this move. That particular beach may look inviting, but it sounds like the coastline is eroding.

 

Don, You are very insightful. As much as my heart wants to do this my mind is over riding making the move. Plus the possibilities are opening up for an alternative situation. I will sit back and evaluate as the scene unfolds.

Wise move. Whatever a person's problems may be, pouring alcohol over them only amplifies the damage and can easily spread it around. That's the opposite of fertile musical ground worth seeding. I'm sorry the idea felt so dear to you, because I've been there. Its hard to turn away when the other players are good at a specialty style you embrace. I second the idea of approaching the dismissed players. There's a long tradition of prog bands reshuffling their lineups, so it could work.

 

 "I want to be an intellectual, but I don't have the brainpower.
  The absent-mindedness, I've got that licked."
        ~ John Cleese

Link to comment
Share on other sites

>>> To my mind this sounds like the crazy one you leave your wife for and then end up with neither.

 

In Pakistan, of all places, there was once a national word game held, with a cash prize and a vacation at the far end. The challenge was to fully describe and compare the words "complete" and "finished." The winning entry: "If you find the right woman, you are complete. If you find the wrong woman, you are finished. If the right woman catches you with the wrong woman, you are completely finished."

 

I submit that there is a corollary lurking in there which can be applied to bands as well. :whistle:

 "I want to be an intellectual, but I don't have the brainpower.
  The absent-mindedness, I've got that licked."
        ~ John Cleese

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hang in with your solid gig and see what develops when this guy bails or can't get anyone to work with him or collapses from drinking. Then there will be a big void to fill and you will have a new opportunity.

Funny but here in Hilton Head/ Bluffton SC there are no beach music bands. All of the 3 top bands here play a few shagging songs but thats it. Lots of the typical dance music and R&B.

Maybe you should move here and start one. I'd be your second keyboardist in the band. LOL !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the reinforcement guys!!! This would have been the closest thing to a national touring act found in this area. My experience with The Embers spoiled me, having a road crew, established band and this band was the same deal, I just show up and Play. It takes 5 different band and the solo work and moving equipment for me to stay booked. Then I get a date where I could book it 5 times if I could clone myself. I do have a main band that takes priority but that band only play 60-70 shows. The other bands understand, but at some point they are going to find a player that can play every show!!!

Jimmy

 

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho

NEW BAND CHECK THEM OUT

www.steveowensandsummertime.com

www.jimmyweaver.com

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...