Doug,
I really used to look forward to your posts. I admired the writing style, the humor, the hidden message. These last few just sound like preaching to me. You run a business, don't you? Isn't it tough sometimes to make the right decision when coworker's feelings are at stake? Ultimatly, the business decision needs to be made for the good of the many, and not the one.

While I appreciate all the comments that I DID ask for, I understand now that with a group as culturally and geagraphically diverse as ours is - We can never really see this issue from the same side. Many of us work in different facets of this business. Some full time, others part time, others just for fun. The one constant we share is the love of the craft, and the tools we use to achieve our musical end. As a full time pro and independant contractor I have always seent this job as much more than a "gig". That's why I hardly use the word. If you look at it from the point of view as a business man, you may see it the way I do. If you let your emotions as an artist rule your thoughts, you may see it differently. Either way ...... it's really a simple situation. Many of you knew from the start that my post was a cry for help, of sorts. I needed to know that I was trying every possible measure to spare the feelings of a good man in a bad situation.

I do not intend to "teach" my methods to anyone here, but I feel very strongly that I have made the correct and most charitable decision in how to handle this situation.
The word "ethics" really was not appropriate. I know I handled it ethically. What I was trying to do was soften the blow of the ax that was about to fall on a very nice man.

Business is hard sometimes. Parenting is hard sometimes too, and oftentimes, the correct way to handle things leaves someone's feelings hurt. That's unfortunate and sometimes unavoidable, but I fear in this case - that just may happen.

Ethics really don't come into play here. It's a clear cut case of merit. As a sideman - I fulfilled my responsibility to my partner. As an independant contractor, I will now continue to fulfill an responsibility to my client, and my customers. (yes, some of them are actually MY customers) if he asks me to hire on as a soloist.

My leaving this duo is the RIGHT thing to do.
Leaving now is the right time to do it.
Returning as a soloist will be a decision made by management and myself, and in no way concerns the feelings of the drummer.
Cold fact of life? Maybe.
Unethical action. No way.

I treated him well, and I will give notice as a gentleman. It'll be up to him to keep this job with a new partner when the house already has other ideas.
It's the survival of the fitest.
It'd be great if we could all always get along, but that just isn't possible in all situations.

This is where my participation ends in this discussion. Thanx for all who chose to add input. This is the "biz" part of Show Biz...and it's not always pretty or glamerous.

Take care all.