Me personally on a solo OMB gig don't mind as long as they get an OK from the person who hired me first & even then I rarely let them do more then one or two songs with me either singing or playing another instrument so not to let them Bogart the stage good or bad, especialy when people are payng good money to enjoy the evening & music, or to put a kabosh on it becoming an open mic night......in my band days same thing, plus the ok from band members also...

How do you feel about it?

It all depends on ..how HOT she is..

No....this is MY gig, get your own...

Seriously, in 15+ years I've allowed two people to sing with me. In both cases, they did a fine job, but after one tune...away they went.

Typically, its us making them sound rather good-which we should do-But you can push your luck just so far and then the professionalism of the whole things crashes down.

I'm biased of course, I no longer even let my former sidemen on the same stage because they wouldn't rehearse. So maybe I'm the wrong one to ask, lol...

I prefer not ... But it depends a lot on the situation and other factors- like whether it is a 'pubic' venue or a private party ... At a private party, the guest is probably a relative or friend of the host, so it may be difficult to say no ... whatever the situation, I want to at least be able to work out the tune -key, tempo, ending etc. During a break ... The problem always exists that if the 'guest' is BAD, it is going to reflect on the muscian ... and then, no matter what, there is ALWAYS the possibility of opening it up to 'open mic or karaoke night' ...

On jazz gigs, it's the honor system. COMPETENT players are welcome, with rules. I call all the tunes. If you can't cut it, STAY OFF THE STAGE! That's ONLY if the format is "jam-like".

On other jobs, sit-ins are not allowed, with rare exceptions (like John Entwistle, Lou Rawls, Rosemary Clooney, Bootsey Collins, Ray Price, some of the guys from Exile and quite a few others over the years).

I worked in one duo where it was nothing but sit-ins. The "star", Preston Weber, was almost a non-player. He called up all the regular "performers to do their one or two tunes. I had to find the key and back the "talent" on keys or guitar. It was part of the act...a 4 hour sing-a-long...awful, but the cash register kept ringing, and we kept working for 20 plus years!

To me, it's just part of managing the process! I played once a month for the Governor's mansion and the governor's daughter thought she was a singer. Guess what? I just shut her off (awful) and planned my trip to the bank with the check the next day!


Russ

Guest singers on my gig? Not if I can help it. They might sound better than me. And many have.

Private house parties, family reunions and the like...no problem. Those kind of jobs tend to be "Loosey-Goosey" from the get go.

It would be nice, however, if they asked before just jumping in. Over the years I've had a few liquored up jerks just grab my mic and start belting. At a recent house party a fella came up while I was singing and told me he was going to be my "back-up" singer. With that he positioned his face next to my left ear and started bellowing. I had to bite my lip from going off on him.

Its not much of a problem when on a stage...but performing at floor level seems to be more inviting than some can stand.

Eddie

For my personal gigs, which consist of all instrumental music, and usually for corporate dinners and restaurants, the answer is "no".

No exceptions.

Ian

For my gigs, generally no, unless it's been pre-arranged.

NEVER! And, they can't grab the mic because it's a headset mic. When the ask to sing, which is rare, I tell them that I don't have an extra mic, and no one but me uses MY mic.

Gary

Depends on how secure in your job and profession you feel!

And on how well you know the 'fill in'...

Honestly, thought this topic was going to be about 'replacement' players when you are sick or double booked... round here, visitors to the stage are 'sitting in' and replacement players are 'filling in'.

It totally depends on the venue and occasion, AND the sit-in. I have had many great ones, a few bad ones. I'm sure you've noticed that the good ones don't ask; you have to ask them.
My rule is they have to know the words and the key. NO KARAOKE.
I've been known to break my own rule for a C-note.
Eddie, the same guy has yelled in my ear before! Once it was so bad I had to just stop in the middle of the song and apologize to the audience that I couldn't hear myself. His friends quickly came and got him.
Back in the late 70's/early 80's I did a piano bar (except I used an organ, later a keyboard). It was very lucrative, but a true pita. Never again!
DonM

I refuse to let drunks on stage, even if they are the "hot" girl variety

Another "guest" performer I frown on (except for the celebrity walk on..that we often have during the summer at WW)...folks that bring their own backing tracks on CD or ipod..If you have the talent to "wing" it while I back you live...than I will give you a shot...

Usually I will allow a singer to sit in (vocals), and perform one of our (band) tunes...if they are bombing out..we just take over the tune and fade them out..

Venue is a determining factor...Some places look forward to "regular" guest coming up on stage...

We have a couple great singers, and also a accapella group as regulars..we also have a gal that sings with a flair and doesn't take herself serious..just a fun act..

Many other venues..guest are a no no...and that is okay with me..

Years ago I watched my friends band let a guest guitar slinger/singer sit in. It only took 10 minutes to empty the entire bar, before they could get him offstage. After seeing that, I made a rule that unless the person who hires me asks me to let someone sit in, they can go find their own gigs.

I've always called these "sit ins" as well.

I don't really like when people ask. Sometimes it's good, sometimes horrilbe (either on their part or my part)

The truth is, I can not say "no." So any tips on how to just say "no" to folks that want to sit in? I would feel like a mean jerk saying "no"

LOL, errr, best tip is - NO!! Any more than that invites a response, usually drunken, and then it becomes ugly

Dennis

Just say it is your policy not to bring anyone on stage...so not to slight anyone...You can mention the house policy may be the same..

Yep... always blame the club or restaurant!

'Oh SURE, if it were up to ME, no problem... But the 'house' doesn't want guests!'

Yea thats ok to a point lying to the person ...BUT, ......when they go to the owner and ask & come back to you & say they said it was ok?....then what?

Then you let them sit in. If it goes wrong, you have the club owner to blame! At least he can't blame YOU..!

The cover band I play with always says that it is band policy not to have anyone sit in unless they come to rehearsals before hand. That always puts people off. Of course if we know that people can really perform then we make an exception. It can be very cool to have guest artists join for a couple of songs. But we ask them not the other way around.

Man do I hate that!! They usually come up to you while your playing another song and we discussed that in another thread. If I can't get rid of them with a wave off I try to explain I just don't know their song or what key or whatever and put the blame on myself. Then of course they start singing to me as if that will automatically teach me the song. If all else fails and its the host who wants them or I I have to relent--and its been my experience that it usually turns out bad. And you all know the number one reason why---they can't count of keep a beat even if they do fine some right notes! If they stay too long I explain I have to get back to the dance music.

That aside years ago there was a guy at the Jersey Shore who did an unbeliveable OMB. Hammond with 4 leslies, Coon theatre organ on his left with 4 gyro speakers( those were two 12" speakers on a rotating board to give a vibrato effect to the Conn's strings), Baby grand on his right, two Mini Moogs on the B3 and two cabinets with 4/ 15" speakers for his bass pedals and Drum Tracks 8 track drum machine. AND HE WAS BLIND!! His name was Al Rando and he was/is a shore legend. He later did a smaller restaurant with a cut down setup and invited anyone to sing. He packed the place every night with groups that would come in to "Sing with AL" This is way before we got polluted with Kareoke in every bar. The amazing part is he could play anything in any key including some Opera one woman came to sing and he made them all sound good. I don't know if he is still around but he was the most amazing musician I have ever seen


Bill in NJ

Al Rando was a good friend of mine .....he is a class act all the way and a super talented keyboard musician. I have sang with him many times. A keyboard genius. People would come from far & near ( mostly the over 50 crowd) to have dinner and enjoy the show...some restaurants with even name their dining rooms after him 'THE RANDO ROOM"...he would have a woman escort him to and fro also. I would kiss his bald head when I saw him and he knew exactly who I was as he did everyone else amazing!! Many singers in the jersey Shore area would have Al make backing tracks for them also. Sitting in with Al Rando was the norm at the White Sands, Doolan's & Savannah's.

"No, I'm sorry." (Simple as that.)

or

"No, I'm sorry, my insurance policy doesn't provide coverage for anyone but me and I learned my lesson the hard way. Sorry."

My long-time music partner, Tommy Johnston, was a small town judge, blacksmith, "killer" B-3 player and general "badass" when he wanted to be. He was about twice my age when we played together.

When asked if someone could sit in, he would have them get their instrument. If it was a solid body guitar, he would roll his eyes, assist with the tuning of the instrument, and then call out tunes like "Four", "Angel Eyes", "Wave" and others. Of course, the person knew none of them (usually).

Then, Tommy would say," Tell you what. Take that piece of SH** guitar home and don't come back and waste my time until you learn how to play it."

Funny, but no-one EVER came back. That's pretty rough, but he liked the key of E even less than I do! (LOL)!

The point is, jam session players, at least in a jazz setting, have to realize that "sit in's" have to be able to keep up, don't call tunes unless asked and, above all, respect the integrity of the music and the leader(s).

That being said, some of my fondest memories are of some "sit-in's" who "kicked ass" on the bandstand. Lou Rawls was one of them. I had a house job at the Campbell House in Lexington. He came there with his daughters frequently to shop for show horses and to get riding lessons for the kids.
He would simply look at me; I'd nod, he'd take my mike and proceed to blow me totally away, finishing the tune I was into...no fanfare...no introduction; just raw, delightful talent.

That's a "sit-in" I will forever appreciate....a great father, true gentleman and the reason I'm not a professional vocalist (LOL)!

Russ

DNJ

So cool that you knew Al. He used to hang at my friends music shop in Sea Girt. Whatever he bought he bought two, one for the gig and one for home. I remember we were all just learning about arrangers and my friend Gary had a new Korg in his shop. Gary put it on a Big Band style and asked Al what he thought. He said "Sounds like a Japanese Big Band" !
I saw him do his live "Kareoke" thing at PJ Ruggles a bunch of times. You right, once you just said hello to him and told him your name he would never forget you even if it was year between visits.
Last I saw him was maybe 5-8 yrs ago at Brennens Steakhouse on Rt. 35 Neptune. He was doing dinner music on a Yamaha piano.
The best of the best

In a club situation, I'm often asked from the bandstand to "sit in". I always refuse. Without rehearsing with most house bands, the best you can do is sound "OK". The worst is far, far worse!

Don't need the recognition/exposure.


Russ

Yea Bill good memories down the Jersey Shore...
Al was truly a class act all the way!