Theo Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 I've had my share of strange gigs too: all over the country, but the weirdest for me was in Lansing Mi where I worked in a club that catered exclusively to legislators, lobbyists, and assorted political hangers-on. These people thought they were in charge of the universe and made no bones about telling me what I should play, how loud, how long, and who I should let sit in. One night a freshman congressman stepped up to my stage, grabbed the mic out of its holder, waved his arm at me and said, 'Our day will come, in G!' He then began counting down the tune for me. I just sat there and when he finally acknowledged that I was there I said, 'Sorry, but I work alone.' (I was doing a solo gig at the time) Talk about pissed. I don't know: I always hated singalongs and would never put up with it. If I wanted to invite a good vocalist to perform with me, fine, but not some drunks. If that's what they want they should hit a kareoke (sp?) bar, eh? However, that gig paid more money than any other I have ever worked so it all evens out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted March 16, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 My R&B band just got done playing a casino three and a half hours away from where I live. You gotta love casinos with all the slot machines singing a C triad over everything. Makes for some real interesting harmonies! The thing that sucks is our manager booked us three nights instead of the usual two. So we're thinking, "Cool! More money!" Yes more money overall but she accepted LESS money per night. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Oh well... she's just trying to get us more work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 The thing that sucks is our manager booked us three nights instead of the usual two. So we're thinking, "Cool! More money!" Yes more money overall but she accepted LESS money per night. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Oh well... she's just trying to get us more work. VOLUME, VOLUME, VOLUME!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 So Jim: when am I gonna hear that RD mix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragu Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 The Philly Joe story reminds me of another example of exploitation. About once a year I do a gig with a very talented musician and singer. In the 60's-70's he had a band that was pretty well known and wrote and sang a song that got lots of radio play. Well the band was signed to a horrible exploitive manager that has screwed everyone who's worked with him, including a couple other very famous bands from the era. This manager was so exploitive that he copyrighted the bands name and of course this meant that he alone had the rights to book a band with that name. So for many years offers would come pouring in for this band and my friend was not allowed to work under the name of the band that he created and was known for. So he got by over the years with some royalties, but mainly playing journeyman gigs as a musician, and occasionally having to scuffle with some non music gigs. So one time during his scuffling days the ex manager has the nerve to call him and tell him he's booking a band with the old name and has a tour lined up, and that he's calling to offer the guy a job in the band he founded ( and is only bookable because of this guy's music)! He said he's let him be in the band for $200 a week-but that's if they played 5 nights, any week that they worked less would be prorated! My friend told the manager,"Don't ever call me again." P.S. I believe after protracted legal action, my friend has fianlly gotten some rights to the name and money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soul Stream Posted March 16, 2003 Report Share Posted March 16, 2003 Just goes to show that once again the music industry is inhabited by scum. Not only agents and managers, but many of the musicians, for example... I used to be in a band where the lead singer was a big heroin addict, among other things (great singer, frontman though.) However, one night he overdosed and died. For the next three days his body was transported from one junkie musician's house to the next. Nobody wanted to call 911 or make a hospital drop-and-run. Finally, someone dropped the body at a non-junkie musician's house while he was out. When he came back, he discovered the body and called the cops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe G Posted March 17, 2003 Report Share Posted March 17, 2003 My God, Soul Stream! Sounds like Weekend at Bernie's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted April 2, 2003 Report Share Posted April 2, 2003 Here in Honolulu, the most established r&b gig pays $28.00 per member, and the group has been there for seven years. At least, on Oahu, you don't have to drive a long distance through the snow! By the way, thanks to Jim for providing the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted April 2, 2003 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2003 Ladies and gentlemen please welcome my mentor and one of the baddest organ players around, Mr. Doug Decker to the forums!!!! So you're in Honolulu right now? For how long? We used the direct box last night at Billy's and put it through the main PA for bass. IT ROCKED!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris olivarez Posted April 3, 2003 Report Share Posted April 3, 2003 Garrison that Philly Joe story was incredibly sad.You guys must really have this desire to make music deep in your blood.I'm constantly amazed at the amount of crap you have to put up with.Can I assume that you don't have the protection of a union wherever you work or you do you just don't want to have anything to do with the union or would it be harder on you if you tried to affiliate with one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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