I hear ya, Gary. I wrote this long, detailed response and thought, heck, it just boils down to this: Having the interaction and sound that only having excellent bandmates provides is worth it to me for some gigs. I will continue to play solo but nothing compares to having good bandmates. Of course, there are negatives but if they are dependable and you like them, that removes most of the negatives.
No arranger can compete with a real drummer, fiddler, steel guitar or harmonica player. There is no contest. And it makes me happy.
Plus, for me, personally, I am fleshing out some original songs to make them shine and (pertaining to this thread), a drummer would surely help with the uptempo, rockabilly, country-rock stuff. I don't know if I'll do it or not. It would take a special drummer, for sure.
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Bill
SmallGig.com