Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

One guy I worked with about 2 years ago on the acoustic duo thing had to quit - he said ther ewas too much family stuff going on at hte time, so he couldn't commit to anything. We had practiced for about 6 weeks, and even done a ocuple of open mics to try things out.
SInce that time I've run through/over another 3-4 people who didn't work out for various reasons. Then last week, I hear from the first guy again - now his schedule/family sh*t is better, and he's playing again, wanted to know if I wanted to try again. I told him what I had on schedule and to come to one of the nights so we could talk - frankly, I don't know if I want to pursue a duo act again - a lot of work to get a set list rehearsed and to get established - rather than just join an existing acoustic band that wants another player. Also not sure I can rely on this guy to not bail on me again if something comes up in his home life.
So I guess I'll have to ask him some pointed questions if/when he shows up some night.

tough call. and even w the best promises and heartfelt assurances...you can never know if you can expect a better result this time around. but that's pretty much like any new musical venture, no?

unless he parted ways in an especially douchery manner (left you holding a bag of $hit by not showing for a gig, or he split while displaying some poor manners)...well, unless you have something else going on w other bandwise prospects....my take is it's better to have loved and lost than not not loved at all.

so, if you're up for trying it again (sounds like it's something you're considering) i'd have a real serious talk first about your concerns.

I like to keep my options open and always have a pool of musicians to work with if the stars align. Sometimes life gets in the way and a player needs to back out for a while but if he plays well I keep in touch and we jam every so often. My current keys player has a lot on his plate right now and is not always available so several recent gigs were a power trio instead. I can go either way but prefer having keys if possible. 5 drummers, 5 bass players, 5 guitarists, and three keys players are in my favorite contacts and if needed we will grab one as a fill-in. If they don't play well with others, are a general PITA, or burn bridges we probably don't work together.

Planetguy wrote:so, if you're up for trying it again (sounds like it's something you're considering) i'd have a real serious talk first about your concerns.

yeah, that's where I'm at. Talk first, see how serious he is about it. Too many people who are happy with jamming. He was supposed to come to the place I was playing last Friday night, but two days before said 'his wife was making him go to Tanglewood for a classical music show'. Said he's meet me next week at an open mic I'm planning on going to (not the one I host). We'll see ...