I HATE playing outsideeeeeeeeeee!!!!

And the only thing I hate WORSE than playing outside is getting CANCELLED because of weather threats !!!!!!!!!

Sigh .... I'm sitting home, on my 7TH cancelled night this summer - that's almost $2000 in lost wages, folks. NEVER, never again. My days on the deck are over.

I blame myself for taking an exclusive booking with no garantee. This coming Tuesday - I give my notice.
Damn ... now I have to go out for coffee or ice cream or some other substitute for getting drunk.

Grrrrr..........
( thanx for the vent space, Nigel ! )

I was dry at the same place you play..

BTW: I didn't have one outdoor job cancelled this year..we played in the wind, and over cast skies...even heavy fog..but no cancels..

[This message has been edited by Fran Carango (edited 08-23-2007).]

Dave-did it for years (14 at the same place).
My little house job ain't much, but the equipment stays in one place, and I'm DRY!

R.

Dave, I'm amazed you let it go on THAT long. I'd have required a contract providing some cancellation protection, after just the first time it happened.

I'm also surprised your club/event venue didn't have a contingency location or covering, to account for bad weather. Even here in nearly always sunny California, when booking outdoor events, an alternate location or back up plan is made available to account for inclement weather. - Scott

Like I said .... it's on ME for allowing it. This is positively my LAST year doing the deck. even when it's "nice" it's sometimes very misty and I hate having that salty bay breeze on my stuff.
Nope - no more for THIS Uncle !
Nice to see you back, Scott!

Can't say I blame you, Dave...outdoor gigs aren't my cuppa tea...hard on gear, tough trying to see the keyboard screen, and even the risk of sudden downpours that can very likely dampen more than the spirit.

Ian

------------------
Common misconception...size and weight equal quality and performance. Don't be fooled.

i hate playing outdoors as well, although in Miami that's much of the work..so about 10 years ago, after a couple of miserable experiences outdoors, I got a sub to take the yacht gig i was was sure would be chilly, damp, choppy going, etc. i went to check on my friend toward the end of the gig when I figured the yacht would be arriving back at the dock....it was one of the most beautiful nights of the year, the yacht stayed at the dock all night long, and there were hot and cold running babes in bikinis all over the place, plus a food spread to die for. go figure..

------------------
Miami Mo

Dave,

I pretty much have given up on the outdoor jobs as well. If the weather does manage to cooperate, which has been rare this year, the bugs will quickly consume every inch of exposed hide before you get halfway through the job. And, that's if you lather up with insect repellent. At my age, those air conditioned venues are far more attractive, and not nearly as many drunks to contend with.

Good Luck,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

Good thing school starts in a week or so...;D

2 hints for insect repellent: the Greek restaurant owner where I have doing my wed nite jams rubs basil leaves on his neck and arms..says mosquitos hate it, and it's common practice in his area of Greece. there is also a lot of internet advice re putting a clothes dryer fabric softener cloth in your pocket to repel insects (not advisable to breathe fumes or rub on skin--therefore the "pocket" proviso)

------------------
Miami Mo

AMEN, my brother !
Give me a room full of teenagers over drunks ANYday !

Hey, can I give you my 19 year to straighten out?

zuki

Hahaha ..... I got my hands full with my 14 yr old this month ! The estrogyn just kicked in !

I got to confess I am surprised at how early the summer season has tailed off this year here in Florida... Kids are back to school early, the resort has new owners that want to cut back on entertainment during the extremely dead 'dog days', and consequently. I've lost about four outside gigs a week (that would have normally run into early September).

And you know what... I'M ECSTATIC! I always dread August here on the Gulf Coast. Unbearable heat and humidity, little sea-breeze, smaller crowds, usually the discomfort of it all gets me and my guitarist biting each other's heads off (we normally get on like a house on fire!), and unresponsive to the customers...!

Now we are down to only one outside evening gig a week, and three indoor house gigs, then corporate stuff and parties to taste... MUCH nicer. It turns out that Apr-July this year was MUCH busier than the last few, so we end up averaging out about the same, and no day gigs outside in August!

It doesn't get any better than that!

Dave... We have a system with our deck daytime gig that, unless they call us up before we leave for the gig (about 11:30am) to cancel, we get paid in full, whether we play or not. But their loss in bar revenues if they call us off and the weather turns out OK basically means they never do it. I've been playing 2-3 days/week on this deck since March, and only lost 2 days, this year. Of course, having a drought didn't hurt...

But stopping ALL outside gigs...? I could never do that! Some of March, and definitely Apr-May and most of June are absolutely a joy to play outside. Plenty of sun, fresh air, cool breezes and all the bikinis you can handle... Worth every hassle, IMO, and you still have time for an evening double, and get home before 10 o'clock. Almost respectable hours!

Best of luck next year if you decide to gig inside only, but I bet, come Apr-May, you'll be wishing you were outside again!

Nope - NOT ME ! I NEVER liked it. I'l be happy as a clam INside !