As many of you know, I'd ended my relationship with my band of 11 years this recent NYE. To review briefly, the band had grown stagnant, wouldn't/couldn't rehearse and seemed too comfy with both issues. To a man, they think I'm crazy for having ended a "good thing" even though we drew pretty good crowds, and left gigs on table.

I also said goodbye to my duo partner, a sax/clari/flute player who'd worked with me for over 12 years.

I'd expected it to work fine at the few remaining accounts that I hadn't already turned into solos. Of note were a very large VFW in Dayton and a private dinner/dance club.

1) The dinner/dance club has decided to go a different direction. I'm disappointed by this because the decision was not one (I'm told) based on quality. They simply insist on a band vs. a solo performer. Many of the club are very familiar with my work and have even hired me for other private functions, but the board decided they wanted a band, and as I no longer had one...I'm out...

(For now...We'll see how the attendance and the new bands all do. I have a hunch there's a chance they may reconsider in a year or two...)

2) The large VFW...the most important account to me bar none concerned me at first because they too, in general agreed with my bandmates. Why in the world would I end something so good? After my first solo performance in January, 3 different parties approached me and said they were wrong in how they thought it would be. They admitted it was very good and that they'd be returning...with friends...Last night I played there again and the staff told me it was the largest crowd they'd seen for anybody in 3 years or so. Every table was filled and I couldn't see the other end of the dance floor. Last month the Commander complimented me, this month the 2nd Vice (guy who actually books me) said he'd heard good things about January and that I had nothing to worry about...

I'm not sharing this so much as to toot my own horn, but rather its been really interesting to see how two different groups, both of whom had reservations about me ending the band handled this. One group understood that the band was stagnant but trusted me enough to give me monthly dates strictly on my personal reputation and belief that I'd be ok. (This club has never used a solo...ever, until me...) Last night, there was even talk about having me get the prized NYE gig, which would be fun...(Yes, it would be affirming that my hunch was correct as to how I would do on my own in this club.)

Contrast this with the other private dance club. This club is a group of retired judges, attorneys, politicians, real estate and high end business executives. I KNOW I could handle their dances. But I won't even get a chance because they're fixated on "having a band..."

Its odd and something I don't really claim to fully understand. They said they were afraid what might happen if something happened to me, which is reasonable, but doesn't seem to totally explain it.

The different ways each group handled my ending the band has been really interesting to watch...

Bill, it happens a lot, both ways.
I had played the Elk's Club here for 15 years or so as a SINGLE. A few years back, they got a new entertainment guy and all of a sudden they had to have a "whole band".
They got a series of them, mostly bad. Crowds fell off, members called me saying come back. I told them it wasn't my decision.
They finally called me to come back, but wanted me to cut my price by 75 percent, because they could get a "whole band" for what I was charging. Needless to say, I haven't been back. Now they have stopped entertainment completely except for a few special occasions.
Same thing happened at one of the VFWs; after having me once a month at their weekly dance for many years, they hired a duo who stunk up the place. Then they decided it was because they didn't have at least four pieces. I still do a few private parties there and the place never fails to fill up. Still they only hire "whole bands" for their weekly dances.
I don't really care; just relating that it's usually one person or a small committee who makes the decision and often it's based on wrong information or personal friends in the "whole band".
Of course, I've taken many jobs from those same bands at other venues, including the one where I have primarily played for most of the past 20 years, and yes, I make as much as the "whole bands" did.
Sounds like you're doing just fine, and getting keep ALL the money. Great, isn't it?
DonM

You're right, Don...

Reading your post reminded me of two things...

1) There's an Athletic Club in Dayton that used to have bi-weekly live music. They'd get a decent turnout. Then the Commander was changed, the new guy decided to go all bluegrass.

Epic fail? Yuppers...

2) Those of us that do retirement communities have seen this. One AD covers her regular entertainment with a stable of 4-5 of her most popular, effective entertainers. Then she is replaced for whatever reason by a new AD who wants "variety.'

A policy of "...no entertainer shall perform more than once in a 12 month period for any reason" is usually a disaster waiting to happen. There are some really shitty performers out there who the residents don't like. Once you shake the residents trust in their entertainment, turnout and participation drops and the AD wonders why, lol...

------------------------------------

Yes, I do like keeping all the money, lol...More important, I feel great driving home from this club for the 1st time in a while. Its a great feeling...

I don't fault AD's or Entertainment Directors for booking variety...but the smart ones will take advantage of the following their entertainers' have and book them in some kind of a regular pattern...like once or twice a month. It is difficult to maintain a following if the time between engagements is too long.

That is not true for Willie Nelson. He's been here twice in two years and sold out a 1200 seat theater both times. But...he is Willie and I ain't.

If Gary Diamond doesn't play one of his venues at least once a month, the residents go on a hunger strike and picket the hallways....or so I have heard.

Eddie

They don't go on hunger strikes or pickets, but the AD might be looking for another way to make a living if I don't show up once, or sometimes, twice a month.

I had a similar experience to DonM with the Havre de Grace, MD American Legion. I played there every Friday night for 6 years. Never missed a night in all that time, even when the weather was really nasty. Most Friday nights were packed to capacity, and so was the dance floor. They elected a new board the last year I was there, brought in some younger blood. Next thing you know I'm out, and so is the club manager. The new guys in town decided to bring in DJs, Karaoke and some 3-piece jazz trios. Attendance dropped from 80 to 100 on Friday nights to a dozen drunks and no dancers. The pay back then, for me at least, was $175 for 4 hours.

A few months ago I decided to stop in and see the Friday night entertainment. There wasn't any. The club was loosing money, no one, other than a few bar flies, was in the place and the bar maid looked like she was falling asleep. When she came over to take my drink order, she said "Hey, aren't you the guy that played music here about 5 years ago on Friday nights?" I said I was and she immediately asked if I would be available on Friday nights anytime soon. I told her that they couldn't afford me. She said "We pay a lot more now. When we do have entertainers the pay is $200." I smiled and responded "Like I said, you can't afford me." I gave her a card, the manager called and I quoted him a price of $300 for 4 hours. I haven't heard from them since.

Bill, I sincerely believe that you will make a lot more money as a single, and have a lot less grief.

Good Luck,

Gary

I suppose that, perhaps a little depends on your bandmates' response to your decision to go solo...

You seem a little put out by some venues preferring to remain with a full band. Now imagine if your sax player, or guitarist, or singers went out, got themselves a bunch of high quality backing tracks, and started to compete with you for even the solo gigs (that you are now offering as a cheaper alternative to clubs that DID used to book the whole band) that you now enjoy sole access to...

How would you feel about THEM perhaps taking jobs away from you? Would you still be 'blaming' the venues for not choosing your solo act, if they had others they were familiar with to choose from..?

Breaking apart a band, and then going after the same gigs as a solo has all kinds of ethical questions and possible outcomes...

You know Gary, one time I played at home for fun, and gigged with another bunch of musicians to make a living...a good one at that.

Now, it's the complete opposite.

Now, I play in a little 4-5 piece group purely for fun, and I gig solo to make my living...and a pretty good one it is as well.

Ian

I'll take that grief any day, as long as it is tied to working with musicians that play better than an arranger...

They DO exist, you know!

I believe we have been down this road before - not that it isn't interesting - but as I recall I think the biggest problem voiced by most of the players here - aside from the $$$ issues - is finding good players who are reliable, sober, willing to work at their craft, and appreciative of the other band members. And even though the players may play better than an arranger, many are not willing to put up with the grief ...
I, for one, had a GREAT 26 years with the guys in the band in NY ... I KNOW I could never have that again ...

Well, of course, WE are all perfect, and it's ONLY the other musicians that have issues, eh?!

Maybe I need to explain more of the history...

First off, I'm the only one doing this full time...

Secondly, it was the guys in the band who informed me 3-4 years ago that they didn't want to travel to various existing clients anymore because it was too far away for them. I had a choice to either walk away from the account and find some way to replace the revenue or negotiate a new rate for a solo act. I also warned them that if they left certain gigs, word would spread what I could do on my own and were they prepared for that? They said yes...word got out how I sounded on own and pretty soon clubs just wanted me back...not the band because of the financial savings but also due to the fact that I held the same sized crowd.

I begged the guys to rehearse, but they would not. They felt we were plenty good enough to hit charts cold and play the tunes just fine. We tried it that way but the new stuff we put in sounded a lot like what we'd taken out. For two years I tried different ways of communicating new tunes. Sending out sheet music, audio files for reference, etc. without any success. It bothered me more and more...I asked them for ideas. They said if its not broken why fix it?

Diki-Out of almost a dozen former band accounts...One...ONE...hasn't kept me. Because they want a band. If I hired 3 people who could barely play, they'd have kept me.

They had every opportunity over the last few years to work with me on quality. They basically refused to across the board. They showed up, played the same tunes we usually did, got their money and left. They either didn't notice or didn't care the crowds at most clubs were slowly dying off. If we'd been able to rehearse a few times a month, it could've made the difference.

They are welcome to stay together, replace me and continue making music. Problem is they've already tried this but no one seems to want to hire them. There was a night last August where I couldn't be there and they hired a replacement. I tried to help them organize the night so it would be a success. I was told "don't worry about it, we'll be fine." So I backed off. Within 72 hours after the gig I'd had 3 phone calls from clients and one from the club complaining.

They'd told me it went just fine...

I think it has to do with pride, professionalism and quality. I work my ass off to keep my shows fresh, with new tunes on a constant basis, etc. While they're all great guys, they're not that motivated or organised to put together a new project.

The client who insists on using band btw, told one of my former bandmates they had no interest in using them unless I was involved.

If they took it as seriously as I do, worked as hard as I have and were as critical of themselves as I am-then I'm sure they could put together a terrific project and work on a regular basis.

Never said that ... but now that you mention it ...

In my case, when I wore a younger man's shoes, the guys were damned good musicians. However, when it came down to the nitty-gritty, booking the jobs, doing the promotions, setting up the sound system, you name it--they just didn't cut it. Sure, they showed up, played the music, took an equal share, then went home.

Fast forward 40 years. Most of them never pursued music as a means of making a living, the vast majority didn't claim it on their income tax returns, and those that are still alive today couldn't keep time if someone paid them a million bucks. Was it fun to play with them? You bet it was.

When it came to reliability, in the early days they were always on time. They even took time to practice at least once a week. After a few years, though, the excuses were enough to drive you insane. Some didn't show up for jobs, didn't call to make those stupid excuses, and some got plastered halfway through the first set.

When I played with a group we NEVER made a good living. In fact, no one in the group made enough to justify the equipment cost. When I went solo, which was more years ago than I would like to recall, I no longer had the issues of working with guys (and gals) that were playing just for the fun of it.

To me, music, like any other profession, is a serious business. It's one of the things I do to support my household. I'm also an outdoor writer and have been since 1975. That too is a business that I take very seriously. Nearly every musician I know that still makes a living as a performer has transitioned to an OMB entertainer, and all, at one time, were band members. The difference now is, at least for me, strictly a business decision. The jobs, even those at the nursing homes and assisted living centers, are all still fun, and NOW, I make a good living at it.

Cheers,

Gary

My thoughts –
There is no comparison between playing a one-man-band and playing with other musicians. It’s like apples and pears. If it were not for the money and I was able to work with good musicians I might just put away my keyboard. What happens with two or more good musicians is in a class by itself.

If I could bring a good crowd as a one-man-band I feel I would bring many more with a couple of good players. Playing without my keyboard and playing in a group 3 to 5 men allows me freedom to express. I can vary the tempo slightly and then come back adding feeling – and above all I can make choices and changes in seconds.

My last point – I can give my rhythm/solo instrument all my attention. No buttons, just music.

IMHO, John C.

Hello Bill in Dayton,

Have you tried or concidered forming a "band" around your OMB act? For example, if a client wants a four piece you could add maybe two horn players and another vocalist. I'm not too familar with the level of musicianshp in Dayton, but here in Dallas I can find great players that can come in "cold" and sound fantastic backing me up.

I give potencial clients prices for a solo,dou,trio, quartet, and quintet. Since I mostly do Latin music I like to have a percussionist (mostly congas, and bongos) and then a sax/flute, trumpet, trombone, vibes, guitar... Adding a bassist, and drummer is a bit tricky though...

The guys I call can read and improvise really well and know when to lay out.

I like this way of working because I can offer various opptions for clients.

Best of luck, I'm sure you will do great!

Through the last 11+ years I've had occasion to work with most of the sidemen and "guns for hire" in the DAY area. Many are fine players.

I think at this point in my career, I'm not very motivated to work with other people. All told, I've almost 20 years playing in bands and right now, I'm not overly interested. I'm sure it would be "good enough" to get by, but that's what I'm trying to move away from. They expect to walk in, set up, be told the key and play...sometimes its been good, sometimes...oh god....

OTOH, I'll readily admit if a good sax player was looking for a steady situation like I could offer, and was willing to rehearse, learn my styles, etc. I'd probably consider it.

My situation is great. I have more work than I can handle, we've just one child left in the house and economically, things are more promising than ever. (I'm stunned to find out what they pay advanced practice nurses.)

I see dropping from 420+ shows down to the 275-300 range and working on CD's. That may be another nice opportunity for a new collaboration with a sax guy. (Hey Randy-Ever been to Dayton?)

Hey Bill - Congrats on your work schedule up there! I'd love to work out some music with you! Been to Dayton a time or two and have some friends still living there! On the "flip side" - there are some great keyboard players around here but due to economics the trend for most of them is solo work or they are sticking tight with an established band. I lucked out and got hired as a "street musician" during this weekend's Gumbo Festival. They had a Zydeco band in the main park pavillion and they asked me to work the other side of the park as a street player - worked out great and we had the largest festival to date (1800 people). It was fun and the weather could not have been better.



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I'm up for collaborating! Here's wishing you an early Spring!

Randy

Bill, I understand your logic, the frustration with band practices, drunks, "no-shows", etc.

I too don't have the patience for a lot of that stuff anymore.

Around here, versatility gets you work. I've done what a previous poster suggested. For "group" jobs, I add a couple of horns and a singer or guitar player.

They're all "killers" who can handle the job with no rehearsal at all. It's the format that makes this possible. We (I) do a verse, chorus, and then someone does a verse. I'm back on the chorus and "we're outta there".

Thing is, this only works when I control all aspects of the gig...the instrumentation(with key alterations to make the material comfortable for the extra players chosen)...material, etc. If all fails, I can handle the job on my own.


Trio jobs are different...my grandson and son....rehearsal is a joy.

Large jobs that pay lots are easy. I get a music professor/friend to rehearse the band. Most players are Masters candidates. I come in one afternoon to rehearse my part with the group ONCE, and we're off to the Derby party...whatever.

I would be bored silly just doing singles on an arranger, but, thankfully, I'm back doing guitar singles, piano singles; vocals with other groups, etc.

There are trade offs, but at near retirement age, I'm still cranked at playing in a variety of formats, with a variety of pro players, when there is budget.

This way, "an enjoyable time is had by all".


The End,


Russ