If you think it's tough with a trio, imagine my issues with FIVE of us... I do all the booking, set lists, web site, songwriting, publicity, finances, but am also probably the weakest link musically (she says modestly).

When someone can't make it (a rare event), I find a substitute. Last time that happened, I publicized it as a "surprise guest fiddler" which drew a few extra to the audience, I think. If I can't find a substitute, we have occasionally gone on with four of us. There was the time we all rotated bass duties, some of which worked, some of which didn't. I have a setlist specifically for a missing bass player contingency, identifying who plays bass on which song. I also have a list of names of possible subs for fiddle, mandolin, bass, in order of preference. (If I or my banjo-playing husband can't make it, which hasn't happened yet, who knows?)

I think the guiding principle for me is to try to give the booker a good night of music and try to be fair to everyone. If I was totally unhappy with a band member, I agree with the "life's too short" philosophy to stay with that band.