Thanks Donny, Jim, Chas and Joe for the words of support.

Band dynamics are funny things sometimes. These guys wouldn't/couldn't rehearse with me but are now trying to book themselves as a new band around town. (Will this new band rehearse? Who knows?) When a client phoned me yesterday to find out the scoop, he said he asked my sax guy directly "who you gonna get who does what Corfield does?" Reportedly his answer was "I don't know yet." Needless to say, the client was neither impressed or interested.

I don't wish them anything but good luck but it underscores nicely one of the major reasons why I wanted out. They're not even sure who their band is going to be and they're trying to get gigs. Maybe I never realized how great they all were, but I think its at a minimum, an unwise way to make a new impression on a potential client. At its worst, its disrespectful and damagaing.

If everything sounds great, and you're working a good bit, then sure...rehearsals may be not critical. If everything seems to sound the same, no matter what you do...you need to rehearse, period.

The stress level for me is much lower on my solo gigs. For the last few months as I'd drive home-I'd compare my fulfillment level from a band gig to a solo job. Not even close. Different universe entirely. When you're doing 400+ jobs a year, you really don't have to put up with any thing you don't want to, so off I go.

I hope the guys put together something worthy of their skills and their reputations. All three have played for over 30 years and two of them are retired Air Force band guys. Maybe I'm nuts, but I think a little investment could pay big dividends down the road.


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Bill in Dayton


[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 12-22-2010).]