General Music Chat

Okay, I haven't had any luck at all with the ads I've been posting for the Flamingo Road Band. The only ppl who answer them are, well, not what we're looking for. I'm writing up another ad that might be a bit more specific to our needs. Lemme know what you think of it...

"Wanted: lead guitarist with hs own equipment, for country/rockabily/rock/originals band. Said equipment should include adequate guitar, amp, picks, cords, effects, tuner, adequate transportation, alarm clock or watch, CD player, and stage-worthy clothes.

"The person we seek will use his tuner regularly & often. He will be on time for rehearsals & gigs, & will be prepared. He will not overuse his effects. He will not have a significant other who interferes with the band in any way. He will not use the band as an excuse to get rip-roaring drunk or stoned, & he will accept that we smoke & drink in moderation. He will not need to sell his equipment to pay for his addictions. He will be able to accept criticism, & to criticize, without causing ill feelings. He will be a professional, both on-stage & off. He will be dependable. The person we seek is looking for an established band to be a part of, and not someone who's looking to start up his own project, because we happen to like what we do. He will be capable of providing quality entertainment with the rest of the band members, & be able to play the songs with the energy we wish to play them in.

"If this sounds like you, please get in touch with me ASAP."

I am SO sick of dealing with rank amateurs & flakes & drunks & druggies & outright morons!

Lead Guitar Wanted for already established band!

Absolute musts!
Be reliable and able to keep and be in tune. Know how to use his equipment and the consequences in music of not doing so.

Influences:
Country/Rockabily/Rock/Originals.
*** Must be open, friendly and open minded changes in his/her style and be able to offer idea in other areas too.

**** Absolutely no Alcohol or substance abuse driven lunatics! ****

I feel yer pain but if I read that ad I would have to pass. It sounds like you've had too many bad experiences bordering on being jaded. I would simplify the ad and save the must-haves for the phone interview. Afterall, you're trying to attract people with an ad, not scare them away. Best 'o luck.

I know your frustrated Phil and ready to move foreward with your project.
But is not weeding out the unfit what auditions are for?
Perhaps if you make yourself a check list to use as you talk with prospective players on the phone you can weed out those whom dont fit the profile prior to meeting with them. Keep in mind this is a theraputic interview, and therefor requires open ended questions not direct response questions. Get em to talk too much, so you will have a better idea of where they are coming from. ie, You know sometimes I have to check tuning on my guitar after every song, do you ever have that problem? No man never I can hear perfect pitch I never have to tune between songs. or Well, ya know I feel being in tune is so important to the overall sound I always use my tuner between songs.
SEE?

The problem here is that you say you smoke and drink a little on the job (your band IS a job). This gives everyone the green light to smoke and/or drink on the job too. Some people then drink too much. Your ad should include these words : smoking and drinking prohibited (and that should include you). This will weed out the smokers and drinkers. Or maybe simply say "Experienced professional SOBER guitarist needed for band, rehearsals are NON-smoking, MUST show up on time, every time."

I feel yer pain but if I read that ad I would have to pass. It sounds like you've had too many bad experiences bordering on being jaded. I would simplify the ad and save the must-haves for the phone interview. Afterall, you're trying to attract people with an ad, not scare them away. Best 'o luck.

I'd pass too. You sound jaded and pissed-off and that's not an environment any quality guitar player is going to want to walk into.

Jimmy is right - you can save the 'must' have stuff for the phone interviews.

I'd probably write the ad more like this:


Wanted: dependable lead guitarist for established country/rockabily/rock/originals band. Prospective candidates should have their own, professional-grade equipment, adequate transportation and be well versed with their instrument. No hobbyists or part-timers; this is an established, professional, working band.

lol good luck with that one *snort*

Round all that to "professional, time-respecting attitude and good chops."

You are all, of course, perfectly right.

I wouldn't answer it, either. It does indeed look exactly like what it is - a PO'd guy almost giving up & daring anyone to be the wrong guy. LOL

Ya know - I AM a PO'd guy who's jaded & fed up...but I really shouldn't advertise that fact. I know better, but it was fun to vent again.

I'm getting really good at that venting thing.

I really should get out there more & meet more ppl...it's kinda hard right now with my schedule & lack of income. This is starting to suck.

But I swear the next guy that starts to put me through that tuning by ear crap is gonna get a "thanks, but no thanks" right off the bat. I won't even bother to listen to another moron that does that stuff. I can't stand it anymore, & I won't use up the little patience I have left on it.

heh heh heh

I've learned that the older I get, the less time I will waste on something that I see is going nowhere. Whether it's me auditioning for another band or someone auditioning for mine. If they fool me into thinking it will work out and then changes come and my eyes are open, I'll quickly cut my losses and politely bow out or tell someone that I don't think they are what I am looking for. Right now I am playing in a band that has some issues that could keep it from going the distance, but they are friends of mine and understand that I am looking for something more and my playing with them is helping them out in becoming a better band and better individual musicians and it's helping me out financially and giving me a chance to work on some new/old songs as just the lead guitarist, with a decent rhythm guitarist and a lead vocalist and I get to also work on my vocal harmonies. It's win win even though it may not be a long lived project. The main thing is that everyone understands the situation and when the time comes for me to move along, no feelings will be hurt and we will all still be friends. Hey, I'm still friends with my ex-wife and all of my ex-girlfriends and that's tough to do. Years and years of learning diplomacy.

LOL If I was still friends with my ex girlfriends I would soon have an ex wife.

I think Rat is right.

Count me in the po'd and jaded category.. lol

LOL If I was still friends with my ex girlfriends I would soon have an ex wife.

Well, I certainly don't have a current wife. Been happily divorced now for about 20 years and plan on keeping it that way.
Had a girlfriend asking me why I think I'll be single forever. I told her, "You know, there are some people that are destined to be single for the rest of their lives." She said, "Oh, so you think YOU are one of those people?" I said, "No, I'm not one of those people...I'M THEIR KING!!! THEY ALL BOW DOWN BEFORE ME!!!"
She didn't really see the humor in it like I did. Shrug.

"You know, there are some people that are destined to be single for the rest of their lives."

I'd drink to that. Never have to worry bout nothin but good times.

Wow! All the posts have some great advice.

As some have mentioned, keeping the initial ad a little more simple so you get more responses seems to be a key ingredient -you get the calls, then you have the luxury of screening.

I actually kinda liked the ad. Whereas it might have told people a bit more about your band's prior history with a negative member, it also says we're still together, and this is what we like...how we're like...and what we don't like. It'd be great for finding someone in between bands themselves in a hurry who happened to fit the bill, but I wouldn't stick with this ad. More calls equal more chances.

Mentioning that you're an established band I think was definitely an important ingredient that chippy added. It's the icing on the cake. When people call, they know they're more in the position of "I hope they like me" or "Cool! Don't have to wait months to find this player and that player to even begin to jam/gig". Just sounds more professional and gives you a little more weight when discussing/negotiating.

No offence, but I didn't like the approach of nonsmoker/nondrinker mainly because it's not the truth of what you guys are...and I ain't saying you're smokers or drinkers -it's just why would you try and attract a churchgoer and then play like the devil?