The town-wide gospel sing (several towns over) was memorable..... for the six band members who toted loads of sound equipment to play for 5 people, 3 of whom we'd brought! .... after the hosting church's Chief Asshole came in and yelled at us for being there (no one had told HIM), and then after the event (we played and sang our hearts out), the one of two attendees (church members who were supposed to be helping us pack out the gear) stood there watching and asking, "Gee, don't any of you play the organ?" The other attendee was the one who assured me the publicity HAD been done (I provided all the printed goods on time).... seems our "kickoff to the parade" had been mistakenly scheduled THREE HOURS before the parade! Well, it WAS raining, and the carnival rides WERE shut down for the rain, and hey, it turns out most of the residents and church members "hate that tourist crap" and leave town for their "big" Old Home Days weekend, annually! :~)
I somehow managed to refrain from telling Mr. "Longing for an Organ" where to stuff his organ, and Jerry? The Christian word for that feeling? It's a smile, and no comment except, "Thanks for having us!"
THEN you go home and read the Dog Psalm at top volume!
It was redeemed the following year when OUR town booked us to kick off the week-long Laurel Festival with another gospel sing, this time in our own church with all sound equipment already present. GREAT turnout, wish we had recorded it, it was so great-- we were great and the singing along was FABBALUS.
Some of these bummer gigs make GREAT resume/press kit entries! :~)