I recently showed up for a properly-booked gig, and saw another guy loading in a guitar and guitar amp. We spoke; he was sure he was booked. I was sure I was. We called the manager (it was a retirement community); they verified that *I* was booked; they sent the other guy away. He was not happy. Not sure how it happened, but luckily I was in the clear.

In ~25+ years of doing this, I only once actually missed (forgot) a gig. I had taken a new (day) job a week earlier, and go so "wrapped up" in the personal turmoil, that I literally forgot! It was a place I'd played at for ~12 years regularly. Luckily there was a dance-instructor schedules to be there too, who knew me well; she called me when I hadn't shown up, and I said, "OMG"! and hustled to get there. I started playing only ~30 min later than planned (it was a 2 hour gig). All was OK, and they since hired me back there at least a dozen more times. . . so they were understanding ... phew!

-Jim