From las8323@rs175174.ks.boeing.com Mon Dec 03 12:06:06 2001
Subject:Re: bands

Ari,

> >I've had several purgatory gigs where it seemed the keyboard player was
> >a hireling. The worst is when the *drummer*
> >thinks he needs to chime in.
>
> Hey!! in addition to clone-banging, I also bang drums. But I understand
> your frustration. It's key to work with people whose opinions/input you
> respect. I've worked a lot as a hired hand, so I have a very open outlook on
> my playing and am willing to change and play however my customer wants me
> to. Also, I realize that the overall sound of the band as a whole is more
> important.

Ok, didn't mean smack on you -- but you must admit, you're more the
exception than the rule, right?

I've been a genuine legit hireling. Studio work, mostly. So when the
producer asks for, well, pretty much anything in the whole wide world,
your response is and will always be: Yes Sir! Glaaaaaad To Do It! Done
the same in hire-bands. They pay me, they get it their way. Good
business; no feelings involved.

Several bands have been a "joint venture" partnership where we all
stand on equal footing. "Equal", IMO, means I'm *always* open to suggestion
or question, but not subject to jury or review. There are those bands that
don't know the diff. If you've not experienced such, you're
lucky -- t'aint fun.

CTTAI, this was far more prevalent years ago. Maybe cuz established
bands wanted to "add keys" and I was often the "new guy" so treated
as such. Not so in recent times.

> But also, I have to respect the opinion of the person doing the criticism.
> Like I said, that's key.

Yerrabsolutely right. ;-)
Larry