Found this posted at the Musicians Union

Subject: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: X
Date: 24 Jul 04 - 10:53 PM

Found this posted at the musicians union…I think I've worked for these people a few times.



Couple getting married in need of a band. Ideally, we'd like a 4-5 piece band that can play disco, funk, R&B, Motown, rock, top-40. We'd need about four hours of music, from 6-10 PM with some breaks in between. We also need some light rock or jazz for the dinner music.

Also: we need to use your microphone for toasts and speeches, etc.

Pay: Unfortunately, we cannot afford to pay the band in money. But here's what we offer in return:

(1) You and the band will be fed a great meal. (However, as we do need some quiet dinner music provided, you'll have to eat during the toasts.)

(2) Each band member will get 1 free drink.

(3) We will mention your band in the toasts, and you'll get a chance to pass out your business cards, and you can give away any band CDs you have. There will be some very high class people there, and you'll probably get some offers from this.

(4) If you do well, we might hire you for a paid party later this fall.

(5) We will have a tip jar out for the band.

(6) You'll get the great feeling of doing a good deed!

One more thing. We do have a few family members who play drums and guitar, so we hope it'll be okay to let them sit in for a tune or two.

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jul 04 - 11:01 PM

LOL!! That's great, Banjoest. Thanks for sharing!!

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Jul 04 - 11:14 PM

I've played for them too...LOL!

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: GUEST,been there all too often
Date: 24 Jul 04 - 11:15 PM

Sadly, it's all too true. Except for (4) (5) and (6), which are lies. As for (1), there is probably a limit to the time a human being can survive on sausage rolls alone.

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 06:43 AM

And I play a bit of guitar so can I play your Brazilian Rosewood Martin as well . What happened to 'The labourer is worthy of his hire' ? Only people this would appeal to is a local amateur band or a semi pro band that was desperate for gigs .

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Chris Green
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 08:18 AM

I imagine they'll get what they pay for. God, there are some halfwits out there, aren't there?!

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 08:27 AM

When you work for serious money , the client sometimes act as if they own you . Doing it for nowt , they MIGHT Have a good day , BUT - - -

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 09:29 AM

Leadfingers, even working for not so serious money, sometimes the client thinks they own you.

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Justa Picker
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 01:06 PM

Almost a text-book definition of "gall".

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: treewind
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 01:49 PM

Um, I'm a little concerned about he tone of some of the last few posts here. The original message was highly amusing, but I didn't believe for more than a few seconds that it was real....

Anahata

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: X
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 03:27 PM

It's was posted at the Union Hall as an amusing add. The thing that makes it funny is because we have all played gigs just like the one posted.

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Once Famous
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 04:32 PM

C'mon, do it for the love of the music!

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Midchuck
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 05:48 PM

Joke or no joke, I've heard every single one of those propositions advanced seriously, by a prospective employer, at one time or another. Never all at the same time, I'll admit.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 06:45 PM

I will work Cheap or even for FREE (in a good cause) IF I think I am going to have a good time . IF it looks like Hard Work I want well Paying - Sorry !!

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Joybell
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 07:21 PM

This has been around for some time. It's a kind of musicians' modern folktale. Like most of these, though, it has a ring of truth and yes I've been asked to work for people very much like this too. Most of us could add bits.
My addition would be: "We want you to sing at the tables while the band (5-6 piece and amplified, with drum kit) plays on the stage". I didn't find this out until I got to the venue, mind you.
                                                    Joy

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Justa Picker
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 08:13 PM

What Midchuck said, hence my response above.

I always tell those types, thanks but no thanks.
You can die of exposure.

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Peace
Date: 25 Jul 04 - 08:32 PM

Years back, a university in Montreal asked the folk community to put on a concert to raise money for the Students' Union. They called me and asked if I'd play. I asked what they were gonna do with the money. They said they'd use it to hire performers during the year. I ashked where he'd be getting the performers from. He said, "Mostly the US." I asked how many Montreal folkies would be being hired. He waffled, and I told him no. I also got the people who had said yes to reverse their decisions. The guy had lotsa nerve--but no performers.

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: M.Ted
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 02:03 AM

The gig was a last-minute booking, got by the drummer's brother-in-laws who called in a panic because the original band cancelled--No time to exchange the usual contracts and deposits, but he said they know what you charge, and "they'll take care of you"--

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Peace
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 02:15 AM

"they'll take care of you"-- Has a special meaning in Montreal. It implies time off work and a vertical trip down the river. Hoffa in the States knew what that meant. Definitely don't play the gig. Unless they serve really good coffee.

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: treewind
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 05:32 AM

Midchuck - you have a point. I've seen something like just about all of those with the exception of the offer to "give away copies of your CD"

As a ceilidh band, I don't think we've been asked to to motown, rock'n'roll, disco funk etc. either but I can imagine that being business as usual for a more generic "fucntion" band.

The "play for free" thing doesn't usually happen with weddings though - people expect to pay through the nose for everything.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: M.Ted
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 12:22 PM

It *does* happen for weddings, Treewind--whenever something costs a lot of money, people try to find whatever way they can to cut costs--I remember getting a request that was similar to the first part:

>Couple getting married in need of a band. Ideally, we'd like a 4-5 piece band that can play disco, >funk, R&B, Motown, rock, top-40. We'd need about four hours of music, from 6-10 PM with some >breaks in between. We also need some light rock or jazz for the dinner music.

except that it mentioned that the couple were "folkies" and that the wanted a band that played contra music along with the other stuff--they had money, though, $175--

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: treewind
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 01:00 PM

Well, it certainly confirms the other thing about weddings - that they are the one type of gig where the clients routinely haven't a clue and are out of their depth.

Which is part of the reason for the other universal rule about weddings - they always run late. We did one the other day - 2 hours late by the time we started sessting up.

The exception is when you arrive late, of course...

Anahata

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: GUEST,judetheshepherd
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 01:35 PM

Yep, been there, seen it, done it, would've got the T-shirt if they'd not been too bloody mean to print it.

Subject: RE: Found this posted at the Musicians Union
From: Steve-o
Date: 26 Jul 04 - 06:14 PM

Like Bobby said, "Gotta harmonica job....gotta play- blowin' my lungs out for a dollar a day; I play it inside out and upside down, the man there said he loved my sound- he's ravin' about it, he loved my sound.....dollar a day's worth!" Make 'em pay you something- they aren't getting the Reception hall, food, drinks, etc. for free!