Just turned down a lucrative job (several, actually) for a national political party and a very prominent Kentucky politician. I did it because I don't like what's going on with the party or the individual.

Is that the right way to handle things? Should a player pick and choose gigs on a whim?

R.

Sure, if you can afford it. Lots of players can't afford to pass up a lucrative job though.
I no longer play anywhere there is smoking, anywhere I feel I won't "fit", for whatever reason, and no one-time jobs for less than $500.

Yes, exactly what Don said.
But think if the staff at these events. How many servers, bartenders, etc, could afford to or keep their jobs on this basis.
Your lucky you can be true to yourself.

In MOST cases I don't see why I should not take the gig ... I would not be supporting or promoting their ideology ... I'm just letting them pay my bills ...

The degree of personal integrity you wish to maintain is something each player has to decide for themselves. No matter how lucrative the gig, if the event promotes a political or ideological position that I find untenable, then it's a no-brainer for me. As far as not being able to "afford to pass up a lucrative job", short of my kids being one meal away from starvation, I'm not willing to sacrifice my integrity just to upgrade from a Tyros5 to a Genos. But that's just me (and I'm no goody two-shoes, just think that some things are more important than money). JMO.

chas

That's pretty much my take, Chas. If I'm not comfortable with a situation, I'm not comfortable playing, and that means I'm not giving it my best effort - which is something I'm never comfortable with.

+ 1

C'mon guys - they're just jobs, and damned good paying jobs at that. On an election year, I would do up to 40 or more and they all paid me $500 for just two hours work. That translated to $20,000 in additional income for the year. It has absolutely nothing to do with your political views - this is a business and should be treated as such. Your political ideology has absolutely nothing to do with it. Well, maybe for some individuals, but not for the vast majority of the performers I've run into in the past 50 years.

All the best,

Gary

Like I said, money doesn't trump integrity for some people. The best example of this is the musicians and entertainers who accepted/declined the gig at the last presidential inauguration ball. Sorry Gary, some things rise above the level of 'oh, it's just a job'. I applaud Russ for putting his convictions above making a quick buck. I wish more people (and corporations) would do the same. I think it's hard to make a moral argument against it. But again, it's a personal decision. It's up to each individual to decide what is REALLY important in their lives and set their priorities accordingly.

chas

Nope. Nothing mix with politics.

But good question though, similar to a point to what a friend of mine videographer told me. He's been asked to film a gay wedding. Should he do it? He does not believe in same-sex marriages, so would this be "just a job" for him? He does not want to associate image, but the pay is good...

I did say was similar only to a point. These dilemas probably need to find the middle ground between the very personal "I would not do such a thing" and the very professional "yes, because I am payed for a job". But don't want to take this thread elsewhere.

Playing and Politics can mix as long as we keep in mind that all we have is an opinion, nothing more.

John C.

You're right, Chas. You should not mix anything with politics. I don't give a damned about their political convictions - I just wan't to be paid for doing a very professional job - and I was paid very, very well. As my dear, departed father used to say "there's only one thing that money can't buy - POVERTY!"

Yes, The Captain stuck to his political convictions, yet The Captain frequently flew to Saudi Arabia to play for the Arab Sheiks, a nation where women who cannot make a charge of rape unless at least 4 relatives witness the offense. A nation where women are not permitted to drive a car, get a high school education, are told whom they must marry, most keep their faces covered, and treated like dirt beneath their feet. Duh! What happened with those convictions. Like I said, it was just a job.

Now, I too have turned down jobs for various reasons, and I'm sure there are others that have done the same. Most of the time, it is for scheduling conflicts - not our political convictions. I've turned them down because they didn't pay enough. Hey, music was my real job! I had no other form of income, too young to retire, too young for Social Security, which is not enough to live on, let alone support a family. I didn't give a damned whether you were holding a fund raiser for a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or Jesus Christ. If you wanted good entertainment and someone who could make professional announcements, I was your man. Russ was considered an Infidel in Saudi Arabia, they hated his guts there because of where he was from, and he knew it, but the money was good.

I turned down high paying jobs in the City of Baltimore because it was a very, very dangerous part of the city to venture during the day, let alone late at night. Does this make me a bad guy, or a smarter businessman? I don't have a religious bone in my body, but performed for many, many church groups as long as they were willing to pay my fee, which they always did, just like the political groups.

Knowing Russ, this component of music was pretty much chump change and represented a tiny, fractional component of his income. In essence, that one job really didnd't financially impact him at all - it was just a job that he didn't really want to do. But, I'm equally confident that if it meant a connection to a million dollar advertising job, he would have taken it in a heartbeat. And, no one would fault him for doing so. It was JUST A JOB!

Gary

It is a business. Of course its easier and a lot more fun to play the gigs you like than the ones you don't, or you need. Easier to get and maintain your motivation for the fun ones too. Though we can become adept at hiding the dislike for the ones we don't like I believe it comes through at some point. Experience helps you keep that smile, even through the occasional negative comment we may hear that can throw you off. I've turned down undesired jobs and had no regrets.If you can afford that, both financially and for your reputation there's no harm. Nothing wrong with having standards. In the beginning I took everything to gain experience. Age and physical limitations changed that. Conversely, if you can afford to say no, beware that next year maybe you'll need it, and the job may belong to someone else by then.

Well said.

I had a year's booking at one facility and made the mistake of talking politics with a resident's son (Michigan professor). He didn't like my views and the Admin cancelled my next 7 jobs. What a jerk he was. Never again have I talked politics.

Gary, I think Russ performs in Dubai, not Saudi Arabia (Dubai is one of the seven emirates of UAE). They are much less restrictive than Saudi Arabia although they have been criticized for their treatment of foreign workers. Non-Muslims are allowed to drink and only Muslims are subject to Sharia law, so YOU should be okay.

What I reject about your position is that except for the possible threat of physical harm, playing for ANY organization, no matter how vile or contrary to your personal sense of morality, is okay as long as the money is right. Using the old "it's just business" rationalization is tantamount to "I was just following orders", and I think we know how the civilized world feels about THAT excuse.

However, one thing about us Atheists is that we have no one to answer to except our own sense of right and wrong, and that's usually determined by the major influences in your life. Maybe I'm a hypocrite because I do feel more than just a tinge of guilt when I buy my (un-needed) Crumar SEVEN while I watch images of malnourished, lice-infested children with NOTHING, trying to make their way to a safe habour. I could not personally play for an audience or organization that railed against them. That kid isn't taking anybody's job; he/she just wants to live to see another day.

Bottom line: You gotta' stand for SOMETHING.

chas

Then there's the other end of the spectrum , the musicians that have become household names,so established and secure in their fame and fortune, that they intentionally become political activists and speakers because they don't need anymore money if the public disowned them tomorrow..

Like I said before, fascism is a normal thing now days.And we are all becoming one every day a little bit more. Well,some more than others.

I guess the problem is, in this market, I'm pretty "up front" about my beliefs. This politician knows it, and so do many others.

I think he wanted more than music when he asked for my participation.

An even passive endorsement is not something I'll ever do.

R.

... or you'll fall for anything.
(Dylan?)

Don't know how you meant that Dave, but I agree nonetheless.

chas

Gary is my friend, but he's wrong about the million dollar deal. When I'm asked to do a job; music, film; whatever, I check out the club, owners, product...whatever.

If the club management isn't fair to employees, I'm gone. If the service industry has judgements against them for ethical or contract fulfillment reasons, it's over.

Like Chas says, "ya gotta stand for something". Playing for a person or party I believe is harming the country or people is
a defacto endorsement.

For this party and politician....NO CHANCE IN HELL!

Russ

Everyone here has a right to refuse a gig. However, it used to be that you could disagree with a person politically and still see them as a good person. Reading this thread, it seems that at this time many here see the opposing political view as the incarnation of evil. I think, though, that this tells more about those guys than the politicians they disagree with.

I once played a nudist party in southern PA. Now, I was unaware it was a nudist party until I arrived, told them I was not gonna get naked, to which they acquiesced. Now, a lot of those folks should NOT have been taking their clothes off, but to me, it really didn't make a difference - it was just a job. Same with politicians. I don't really care what their political affiliation is as long as they provide a pay check in the amount I require. I guess that makes me one of the deplorables.

All the best,

Gary

Alex, there are certainly situations where you can not agree with politics but be social and even like the person.

Sadly, there are also situations where the politics involved are dangerous to individuals, societies; even entire populations.

It's a question of degree. In this case, this politician and his wife, who is a high level Government official, are the reason(s) I switched parties after 50 years.

Sometimes, you need to grow a pair and put your actions where your mouth is.

The reason I thought it appropriate to create this post is, I just wrote a six figure check to support efforts to get this party out of control of Kentucky politics. I'll do more, if needed. And, under NO circumstance, will I ever associate with this person and his party. The direction of democracy is decided by summing the beliefs of the general public and letting the majority prevail.

If you don't stand up, you won't be counted. Many think, nationally, we need LOTS of people to STAND UP NOW!.

Sorry for the political rant. The question and my subsequent action was real and doing the right thing for ME is important.

R.

Short answer: Probably not! Politics, when mixed with entertainment and sports tend to alienate a significant portion of the audience. Glad I don't perform... and the only thing I ever "ran for" is the County Line! LOL!

Sometimes, when "push comes to shove" the individual providing the "service" must draw some difficult lines in the sand. Usually, it's not that you refuse... it's how you express your refusal. Kindness is always a way to deflect an angry reaction.

Well said.

R.

Russ, as I said above, we all have a right to live by our convictions - thank G-d (and the recent decision of the Supreme Court) for that. I can see myself declining a gig, too, if it was going so strongly against my grain that I wouldn't be able to put forth the effort and the artistry (such as it is) that the audience deserves. However, I would see it as my personal shortcoming as a performer, and not something I'd boast about (not saying that anyone here is).

Now, people that know me (and are generally my target customers), know my strong political and religious views. If they choose to offer me a job, I generally see it as a sign of respect for my musical/performing skills, because when it comes to politics, the only person I agree with 100% is myself. However, unlike many of the folks who have contributed in this thread, I've really lived through the redistribution of wealth, shaming of the successful, single-payer medicine, "free" government-paid education. It was a sad and scary time when the media would only publish the news they deemed fit to print, creating a giant "echo-chamber" in collusion with the government, and you had to conform and be politically correct, or be shunned or persecuted, and when the "enlightened elites" would hijack the language to call those who disagree with them "haters", supporters of individual freedom freedom "fascists", and terrorists "freedom fighters", and who would pay the mobs to turn out on the streets to justify the absurd. It pains me greatly to see that at this day in our own country a major political party is adopting these same policies as part of their party platform, and the street-mob tactics as their modus operandi. It is concerning that nearly half of the people in the US are forgetting that they/we can do that only because of the US Constitution and the system of laws that guarantee this ability to them, and so they cheer to "fundamentally transform America". When you have a good thing (and we still do - I speak from experience) you don't try to fundamentally transform it.

But, as I said, mine is one voice, and I save it for the ballot box, or for civilized discussions like this one. When I am with a microphone on stage, I know it's so that people can hear my music.

Alex, you have every right to your opinion and the resulting actions you take.

If we were to sit down together and talk names and instances, I'll bet we're closer to fundamental agreement than it looks like.

Be well,

R.

Agree....and I would add Religion to that list of things that don't mix.

chas

I agree, Chas.

Please let me know how you guys are doing.

R.

Will do. I'll email you.

chas

Very well said!

In nearly every society there is a majority whose rights and privileges greatly outweigh those of the minority population. So it was in ancient Rome, so it is in modern-day America. Those, through accident of birth, who enjoy this privileged status, are loathe to surrender it and can become bitter, resentful, and angry when they see any signs of erosion of that status. Politicians play on these fears to 'divide and conquer'. The underlying motive is almost always wealth and power. It is truly amazing that THREE (3) PEOPLE own as much wealth as the bottom 50% of the entire country. And yet there are many in that 'bottom 50%' that have been brainwashed, manipulated, conditioned, to believe that redistribution of wealth is a bad thing when actually a more equitable distribution is necessary for a healthy economy.

One thing I DO agree with though is that the primary way to effect change is through the ballot box. Those who long for the 'good ol' days' have either forgotten or chosen to 'tune out' those parts of our nation's history that include slavery; lynchings; segregation; inequities in education, employment opportunities, and housing; a criminal justice system that protects certain classes while punishing others; backroom abortions; and the general suppression of civil rights for all but the 'privileged class'.

As long as our 'leaders' can use social issues to appeal to the worst of human nature, even to the point of voting against our own best economic interest, we will continue to regress as a society and probably end up suffering the same fate as ancient Rome. Of course, this is just my point of view, to which I'm sure no one will say "Very well said". BUT...is does illustrate why politics (and religion) shouldn't mix with music (which transcends all and is only judged by it's quality...most of the time ).

chas

Some fundamental differences, for sure, but I really appreciate a dialogue done with respect for the right to a different opinion.

Especially today, I appreciate the civility.

Entertainers have used their notoriety to back politicians and causes for centuries. Think Springsteen and Bono, for starters.

The reason I don't play nursing homes is my strong affiliation with a group that lobbies and otherwise advocates for Nursing Home Reform.

I believe those who justify their involvement as bringing pleasure to the residents...they probably do. But I believe most of the "for profit" homes are hell holes. National ratings support this...check it out.

For me to play one of these places would be selling out...BIG TIME.

The take-a-way here is live your beliefs.

Be well, all.

Russ

I would say they DEFINITELY do ... The smiles on the faces of the audience, and their interaction during the performance, tells me they are truly enjoying themselves ... they may not remember it for one minute after the performance ends, but "in the moment" they are having a wonderful time ...



Russ, I truly admire your humanitarian efforts in this, and other, causes. But I also have to say that in my years of performing in NH/AL residences, fortunately, I have only been witness to one "hell hole", and it was one that I was taking rehab in ... I was scheduled to be there for 5 days, but on the second night I told my wife "I am getting out of here tomorrow" ...
I can only speak from my experience, but the places I have worked in have been clean, the staffs have been very attentive, and the residents really seem happy. As I walk to the area I am playing in I often pass the residences rooms and they are neat, the beds are made, and they look clean.
Granted, I am not there 24/7, but I think that cleanliness of the space, and friendliness of the staff is not something that can be turned on and off with the flick of a switch.
So perhaps the efforts of your Nursing Home Reform group are bearing fruit, and maybe it is starting in RI.

Tony, there is a national Government regulatory posting of nursing home conditions. It's done quarterly and is shocking. Our group focuses on Kentucky and lobbies for elimination of compulsoryarbitration, background checks, staffing requirements, training, etc.

Looking at the facts about the entire industry, I'll have to leave the music thing to others and concentrate my funds and time on efforts to fix a very bad situation.

Glad the places you play have good people in them. The problem is with the "for Profit" management/ownership. Many; in fact, most workers are caring individuals who do a superior job for little pay. It only takes one bad person to create a very dangerous living environment.

Be well.


Russ