Nothing's ever fair. I had my own band for twenty years and been an ?equal partner for the last 15. I've always owned the PA equipment, lights, done music during breaks, etc. Very rarely have I made more than the rest of the band, but the times I did it was usually a result of pre-planning and pricing. The rest of the band may think it's OK to pay you an additional fee for whatever you do/bring above and beyond the rest. An exrtra $25-50 is definitely not too much, but not if it come out of their pockets. If the job pays $100 per and you get an extra $50, somebody's gonna get upset unless everyone understands how much and how important your contributions are. I say if you are the booker also, go for it and don't worry too much about the others - as long as they make a fair wage, they have no gripe.

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 12-06-2003).]

Wow, isn't this a bit extreme? The options I'm giving them are pretty clear. If they want lights and program music, they must pay. If they don't want to pay, no lights and music. They can choose to either; do the lights (they must purchase their own) and the music themselves letting me off the hook; They can pay me to do it; or we have no lights and no music and the band takes a hit in it's appearance/professionalism.

I don't see how it's a no win situation for anybody?

Al

It can become a no-win situation very quickly if you give the band members an ultimatum. You may see if differently, but they may see you as holding lights and music as hostages. A simpler, less toxic solution might be to include your "fee" in the new price increase and explain to the band your reasoning. This way no one loses - the band keeps your needed services and you get some extra dough.

See, that kind of thinking will get you in trouble. If you KNOW that an action will hurt the band, and you do it anyway, then YOU are at fault.
What you ned to do is have a band meeting and set some rules and responsibilities. Nothing is easy when more than one person is at the wheel. Remember learning to drive with your Dad? Same deal here - giving advice needs some serious "splenda" coating (Atkins, you know) and you should expect some dissention within the ranks.

You need to determine if this band is a co-op or something else. If it's co-op, then you need to assign responsibilities to each member. Booking, advertising, ehancements etc.... everyone has to do their part or it will self destruct from within.

This is why so many of us work solo routines now. It's not all about the bread. It's the ego trips that break up bands.

I have been playing solo for so long, I am not up to date on "Cartage Fees". But when I was union and playing drums, a fee was always built in for the extra grunt work. Most guys (and girls) should be able to see the worth of the extra effort you put into the job. Just appeal to their sense of fairness.
Eddie

My thoughts on Jim's comment "working with girl singers", he has a valid point, but I don't mind carring the sound equipment as long as they carry their own equipment well..BTW each member of a band has it's value..but if the keyboard player is missing , there is no band...as compared to a sololist, trumpet player or what ever...Harmony[getting along] is most important, talk to each other as a group, not behind anyone's back...Well I got to get ready to drive to Wildwood [6-10 inches of snow on the way]..I have to pick up my "girl singer", she hates to drive in the snow...

First of all, let me just say HEEEEEELLLLP!!!

We received a whopping 18" of snow yesterday and last night and I'm snowed in -- All Saturday night gigs cancelled.

Friday night we played a Christmas party at a Local Country club and during our dinner break I raised this topic to the band. I was about as empathetic as Dr. Kissinger. I told them how much I love the band and playing with them, but that I'm starting to feel run down and the extra expenses are getting to me. I said; doing the lights is getting harder and harder and it takes me an extra 30 minutes before and after each gig to setup and breakdown. And when we do a wedding or a party, most people comment the music on the breaks really keeps the excitement level up. And because we don't play the Macerana and songs like the Electric Slide, my DJing during the breaks really adds to experience. Some wedding bands charge extra for that music and so should we. I suggested a modest amount of money be put aside for each gig for the gigs where we use the lights and music and pass along the increase to the customer.

6 of the 7 guys in the band were shocked that I wasn't getting additional funds, the leader was sort of sullen and had mixed emotions about it and said we'd talk later. The meeting was honest, light hearted, and productive. As other members raised a few other things that were on their mind at the time. Good thing we had some Prime Rib and Beer to soften the Blow!!!

Now there are not many keyboard players who sing lead and acapella harmony with my repetoire in this area and I am always getting approached to join other projects. Guys like me are in pretty big demand so my band knows they've got a pretty good thing going.

Let's see where this leads, I'll keep you posted.

I took a lot of advise learned from you guys and tried to incorporate it into this issue and I thank you all for your candid responses. You guys are great!!!

[This message has been edited by kbrkr (edited 12-07-2003).]

Al...
Sorry the weather resulted in a cancellation. It dropped to 46 here in Florida and we are about to call in FEMA.

Sounds like you handled it well.

Eddie

Eddie,

You really know how to hurt an old man. We were down to 26 yesterday, blasted another 11 inches of snow from the driveway and today, the wind's are howling at 35 or more and causing drifts.

Just another fun day in Paradise,

Gary