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29 May 05 - 09:30 PM (#1495797) Subject: Bummer Bookings From: Jerry Rasmussen If this thread doesn't hit a thousand posts, I'll be shocked. Tonight, I had a bummer booking. Everyone has had them, and they almost always catch you completely by surprise. I had my doubts about this one, but it still frustrated me. It brought back some of my ill-remembered bummer bookings of the past. Two examples: I was booked at a coffee house in Phildelphia. I'd been on the road for four or five hours and when I found the place, I was greeted at the door by the person who booked me. The first words out of her mouth were "You sure don't draw well!" And hello to you, too! And i answered, "Hey, I'm just the opening act.. I have nothing to do with the size of the crowd.. why don't you tell the main act that?" There WAS a very sparse crowd, but for a change, I was glad I was the opening act and couldn't be blamed for it. And yet, I was. Sometimes you can't win for losing. Another memorable occasion. I arrived at an area coffee house where I was booked for the night, to discover that there was a big poster in the window for someone else. When I came in and asked what was going on, the manager said that he decided he wanted to book this other guy instead. I told him to forget it... I was booked, and I was going to play. I made him take the poster out of the window and put the one in for me. Here's your chance! I got a couple more of these, but I'd sure feel a lot better if I heard what a miserable time y'all have had.. By the way, after breaking our back to get to tonight's "booking" we didn't even get to play. What is a Christian word for &*#@!+? Jerry |
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29 May 05 - 09:45 PM (#1495805) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Francy For every bummer booking I have had I can remember many many more enjoyable ones....So I have to stay with the positive and know they will always be storms in the musical world......But all in all it's great...Frank of Toledo |
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29 May 05 - 09:47 PM (#1495806) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Peace Waited for two days at the Moratorium (in Washington). The schedule went down the toilet early on and I never did get to perform. |
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29 May 05 - 10:04 PM (#1495822) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Jerry Rasmussen Bummer, brucie.. |
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29 May 05 - 10:20 PM (#1495828) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Sorcha Only one bad one in 20 years that I can remember....local county fair. Promised to pay us....didn't. Promised LOTS of stuff that didn't happen. Put words in my mouth that I didn't say, lied to me about their promises, lied about me and the band....told them we would NOT be back as long as that fair manager was in charge. For some reason, they kept calling us....we kept saying no...I don't think so because of.....they finally fired the fair manager. Lying, cheating, un Christian bitch! |
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30 May 05 - 01:34 PM (#1496159) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Scoville No major disasters, but I don't do this a whole lot. However, we (a bunch of friends and myself) were invited to play for a Christmas program at a local park/historical site. We've been playing together for 12 years and have been playing at this particular venue twice a year for their pioneer reenactments for about as long. We started out as representatives of a local music club but since we were the only ones who ever came--the park is a bit too far north of the city for most people--and we were having some other issues with said club, we decided to break off and form our own group. We have always played the reenactments as volunteers, but some of the other entertainers are paid. Anyway, our "band leader" asked the park if, just this once for the Christmas party, we could be paid SOMETHING. The park representative agreed to $100 apiece for about four of us to play in the afternoon and then for a dance in the evening (this meant playing much longer, incidentally, than any other performers, paid or not). However, they told our leader on the night of the dance that they didn't have our checks and would send them later. It took them TWO MONTHS to finally hand over the money and we found out later that they hadn't actually budgeted to pay us and that the person who agreed to do so had not had the authority to approve it. We felt a bit bad for taking money from a park because we all know they never have enough funding, but we also felt like we should always be expected to put on a good show for free. Ironically, the Christmas dance was a special event for volunteers so we were, in a sense, working our own awards dinner. We still volunteer for pioneer days but if they ever ask us to play for Christmas again, we're getting it in writing. |
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30 May 05 - 01:55 PM (#1496167) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Liz the Squeak I'm still waiting on some payments from a couple of places that promised expenses at the very least and then made it impossible for me to claim them..... One of them even went to the stage of solicitors letters - til it worked out more expensive to claim the fee than the actual fee was! And I'd rather do a gig for nothing than end up paying more for accommodation than I earn for performing which has happened in the past! LTS |
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30 May 05 - 02:02 PM (#1496170) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Hamish Yep: going through one right now. Played a spot about six weeks back, and the chap says "we'll have to have you back", so I called and called, but there was never a good time... ...so, having decided that he hadn't really meant it, I gave up wasting time on him. Imagine my surprise when he phones up last Monday and says "okay, when in June July are we going to get you to play?" "Yes, please, but, ah, oh, I'm not near my diary right now, can I call you back?" "okay". So I call and call, and he's in the car, or he's busy, and I can tell, the few times I get through, that he doesn't want to talk. What's all that about? I mean, I've been turned down by better (and worse) clubs than his: I'm a grown man, I can take a "no". I can't handle this messing about, though. |
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31 May 05 - 01:54 AM (#1496511) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Liz the Squeak I forgot to |
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31 May 05 - 05:26 PM (#1496897) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Liz the Squeak I forgot to add something else and then my server crashed (thanks to new kitty sitting on keys) and now I forgot what I was going to add. LTS |
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31 May 05 - 06:39 PM (#1496952) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: The Fooles Troupe That was most elucidating Liz.... |
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31 May 05 - 06:40 PM (#1496955) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: GUEST Liz, did you forget an "h" in there? |
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31 May 05 - 06:47 PM (#1496961) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Jeremiah McCaw My trio had agreed to play at a "truck fair", only about 15 km from where I live, but a 65 km drive for the other 2 guys. We were to do an hour set on Saturday & Sunday. No money was talked about; we were going to be doing it as a favour for one of the organizers who was a friend of one of my guys. We were told we be "looked after". Well . . . No audience whatsoever(the not terribly good, buy laudibly enthusiastic teenage punk/thrash band that preceded us may have had something to do with that), although we were being piped through the park. Being looked after apparently meant being fed cold hot dogs that had been cooked 2 hours previously. We did actually somewhat enjoy ourselves, but next time I think we'll hold out for actual pay! |
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31 May 05 - 06:50 PM (#1496962) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Liz the Squeak No GUEST, unlike some folks round here, he's litter box trained. : ) LTS |
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31 May 05 - 08:31 PM (#1497020) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: GUEST Could have been worse Liz! |
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01 Jun 05 - 12:04 AM (#1497126) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Padre Two come immediately to mind, Jerry. 1) At an outdoor festival in an unnamed mid-Atlantic state, we were to perform on an open stage (a couple of pallets pulled together to raise us up off the ground), with a sound system (1 mic and two small speakers) that was plugged in about 200 yards up the hill from our stage. In between, there was a Welsh ladies' group making tea cakes, also plugged into the same extension cord. Whenever they turned on the electric skillet to cook the cakes, our sound system went dead - this went on for the entire afternoon festival. 2) A local (DC) booking agent booked the Boarding Party to play for a large convention's Friday evening gathering. The theme was to be 'The 4 Regions of America' - NE/SE/SW/NW Each corner of the very large room was decorated with objects to represent that region, and in each corner was to be a group making music which was supposed to represent the region. Here's how it went: NE- lobster pots, etc, and the Boarding Party singing shanties SE - cotton bales, and a Dixieland band SW - cactus plants, and a mariachi band NW - spruce trees and a bluegrass band (?) You will notice that every group was armed with instruments, except the Boarding Party (although the 5 of us at the time could sing pretty loud when required) There were no sound systems of any kind. What we didn't know was that all groups were to play simultaneously for 40 minutes at a time, with a 20 minute break and then go again!! After about 2 sets, we had pretty well nackered our voices - and there was no Laphroaig around anywhere. The ultimate event that makes this a true bummer is that when we went to get paid, the booking agent 'didn't have his checkbook' - it took two weeks before we got our money. Padre |
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01 Jun 05 - 12:27 AM (#1497136) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Peace I once went to a gig in Chicago to work a club. The taxi driver had never heard of the club or the street it was supposed to be on. I called my manager back in NY. She told me the address. Yep, got that right. The club name. Yep, got that right. The city. Nope, got that wrong. Made it to Philadelphia the next day. Bummer. |
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01 Jun 05 - 02:37 AM (#1497166) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: alison not a disaster - just a weird event we turned up to play in a park... huge crowd of kids ..... they were waiting to see Santa - who was "on" before us... so as soon as they got their pressies 90% of the audience left... we had told them our PA requirements..... but they had 2 mics but only one stand & no instrument inputs.... I played whistle & sang into the mic on the stand... the other mic was stuck down the back of my jeans and the guitarist was stood very close behind me playing into the "jeans mic".......... it gave what was left of the audience a good laugh!!... & at least we got paid slainte alison |
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01 Jun 05 - 04:25 AM (#1497212) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: GUEST, Hamish That's a bummer mic, not a bummer bookins, Alison! |
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01 Jun 05 - 09:10 AM (#1497328) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Mooh A celtic festival in Collingwood Ontario on a parking lot with very few in the audience. The same event the following year with fewer in the audience (none, other than bored vendors and hangers-on) in a pasture. At least the second time there was a beer tent where a piper friend from another band and I got thoroughly shit-faced. Peace, Mooh. |
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01 Jun 05 - 09:48 AM (#1497358) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: GUEST,leeneia "What is a Christian word for &*#@!+?" "Rats!" is pretty good. |
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01 Jun 05 - 10:24 AM (#1497363) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: rhyzla Got booked into a folk club in Chesterfield (UK) some years ago, and the support band was a six piece group of 15 year olds who had obviously been told that they were better than Fairport Convention, but unfortunatley hadn't quite learned the songs, or how to play their instruments. Anyway, what they lacked in talent and subtlety, they made up for in volume and bringing their own crowd. They played for 20 minutes, did a 5 minute encore which the friends and family raised the roof over, and then spent 20 minutes stripping down their gear. Then they went, and took their audience with them leaving me, an acoustic guitar and about 15 people who thought they were on 'Candid Camera' - still we had a good laugh about it!! |
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01 Jun 05 - 10:39 AM (#1497375) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: wysiwyg 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! :~) ~Susan |
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01 Jun 05 - 10:41 AM (#1497379) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: wysiwyg PS, it was also at the Old Home Days flop that I lost my voice halfway through-- not a help for the songleader at a singalong. When I tossed the lead vocal to ny hubby, his mic chose that moment to die like the dog it was. The NEXT year we had new mics AND a third lead singer, and that helped a lot! I only had to sing the pretty ones. ~S~ |
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01 Jun 05 - 12:30 PM (#1497457) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Uncle_DaveO Okay, Susan, I'll be the one to bite: "Dog Psalm"?? Dave Oesterreich |
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01 Jun 05 - 01:43 PM (#1497498) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: wysiwyg The one I had in mind is actually NOT the Dog Psalm-- I had it mixed up with another and need to check again-- but the Dog Psalm is Psalm 36. Hardi always calls it that because the opening fits the personality of dogs he has known. ~S~ 36 Dixit injustus 1 There is a voice of rebellion deep in the heart of the wicked; * there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 He flatters himself in his own eyes * that his hateful sin will not be found out. 3 The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; * he has left off acting wisely and doing good. 4 He thinks up wickedness upon his bed and has set himself in no good way; * he does not abhor that which is evil. 5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, * and your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the strong mountains, your justice like the great deep; * you save both man and beast, O LORD. 7 How priceless is your love, O God! * your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast upon the abundance of your house; * you give them drink from the river of your delights. 9 For with you is the well of life, * and in your light we see light. 10 Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, * and your favor to those who are true of heart. 11 Let not the foot of the proud come near me, * nor the hand of the wicked push me aside. 12 See how they are fallen, those who work wickedness! * they are cast down and shall not be able to rise. |
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02 Jun 05 - 05:59 AM (#1498026) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Wrinkles Bummer Bookings? Hmmmmmm. Well there's been good and bad gigs, and "good" or "bad" for various reasons, but to my mind there's only two occasions where I'd use "bummer" to describe the gig. The First is where for any reason at all I did not, or was prevented from, giving the best performance that I could IE where I played below my own standards - that's a real bummer. The memories of these gigs will always haunt me with either regret or embaresment. The second - Being booked, fee agreed, and NOT GETTING PAID! There is no bigger "bummer" than that! Here's what I did on that topic may years ago that might bring a smile to thy eyes ;-) YOUR CHECK'S IN THE MAIL 1st verse; Talkin' to The Man on the telephone, it's been three weeks since I done his gig, I said "It may sound funny, but I want my money, 'cause man I gotta eat". he said "I put it in the mail three days ago, I'm surprised it ain't got to you, but you can give me a call in a couple o' days if it still ain't got through". 1st Chorus; Oh when am I gonna learn my lesson? When am I gonna get wise? A tailored suit and a cultured voice are just a criminal disguise. When am I gonna learn my lesson and good sense gonna prevail? But what can you do when The Man he say; "Your Check's in the mail"? 2nd verse; The check don't come so I call back, I get the secretary on the phone. She say "I'd really like to help you now, but I'm here, all alone." But The Man is there, I know he is, 'cause I can hear him sayin' clear "Get rida that bitch, put the phone down honey. Momma, come over here" 2nd Chorus Oh when am I gonna learn my lesson? When am I gonna get wise? An evil mind can hide behind a sister's made-up eyes. When am I gonna learn my lesson and good sense gonna prevail? But what can you do when the flunky say; "Your Check's in the mail"? Bridge; Some times I think I'll quit this business, and just me settle down. But there's a golden rule for a Blues singin' fool: there ain't no jobs around. For a singer ain't got no experience, ain't got no degrees, so when Career Man takes one look at you, he begs; "send me the next one....PLEASE!" 3rd verse; I keep callin but all I get is a No Such Number Tone, an' all my mail is returned to me with Addressee Unknown (SPOKEN: wrote on it) and then one day a letter comes and in it, it do say; The Bankruptcy Case of The Man & Co., might get 'round to you one day! (SPOKEN: at 10 cents on the dollar!) repeat 1st chorus; Oh when am I gonna learn my lesson? When am I gonna get wise? A tailored suit and a cultured voice are just a criminal disguise. When am I gonna learn my lesson and good sense gonna prevail? But what can you do when The Man he says; "Your Check's in the mail"? (c) B Barrett 1984 |
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02 Jun 05 - 06:05 AM (#1498030) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Sarah the flute I had a REAL bummer booking 2 weeks ago. I lost count of the bums in the end. It was a Scottish rugby club and they were VERY drunk. The funniest bit was when 10 of them decided to do forward rolls in formation. The unfunniest bit was when they did it for about the 50th time!!!! Sarah |
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02 Jun 05 - 10:50 PM (#1498835) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: Gypsy Ours was last weekend.........old venue, new location, and we were badly placed. Added to that was the million mile an hour wind whistling thru our set up. Ever play hammered dulcimer in the wind? Final cap: Our PA, not even a year old, was knocked over by the wind. Fortunately, it landed buttersideup, and lived to finish the performance. UGH! We WILL be better placed at this venue next month! |
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03 Jun 05 - 05:34 PM (#1499596) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: GUEST,guest Small festival but rather prestigious - said they could only pay a small honorarium of $25.00. I drove 2 1/2 hours each way (actually the return was longer because I ran into bad traffic. The "stage" they stuck me on was way out in a hot field (did I mention it was in August - in the South?)with no shade for either myself or the audience. There were hay bales for the audience to sit on, but there were only three people - two diehard fans (bless them) and a sound man. Turns out the sound man was really a park attendant and didn't know how to operate the sound system. Oh and someone cranked up a generator nearby which I had to try to sing over with a sound system that only half worked. And...that whopping $25.00 check they were supposed to mail me never came! |
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04 Jun 05 - 11:52 AM (#1500124) Subject: RE: Bummer Bookings From: MC Fat A friend of mine got a booking in a Sauna and Massage Parlour (a.k.a a knocking shop or brothel) the owner had seen them (the duo) play in a local Irish pub and booked them . This mate said it was the strangest gig he's ever played the 'punters' were embarrassed and not interested as they picked their girl and went upstairs for a sh#g |