| Author |
Topic: Palace Cut backs Part 2 |
Ray Walker
From:
Smithfield, NC, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 29 Nov 2002 5:39 am |
|
| You said a mouthful Tony |
|
|
 |
Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
|
Posted 29 Nov 2002 2:17 pm
|
|
Mike I'm real sorry you're out of a job, and I hope you get another sit-down gig again, real soon. It's my sincere desire that anybody who wants to make a living playing music, is able to do so. I know you have the talent, I remember THAT from the RoughRider days.
But you know, I read an article in the paper today about a laid-off guy trying to get a job at a computer store for the Christmas season. I know of several folks whose Christmases won't be white, they'll be red, since the bills will have to go unpaid. I've seen literally THOUSANDS of jobs disappear, due to foreign trade agreements, upper-management greed, and an economy you could strain spaghetti through.
There's a lot of posts wishing you well, including this one.
But guys, there's a whole lot of people out of work right now. Here's hoping they're able to find jobs, in THEIR lines of work, before too long. May God bless us all! |
|
|
|
Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
|
Posted 29 Nov 2002 2:33 pm
|
|
Steve,
The Rough Rider days, Boy that was a long time ago and I didn't think any of us would live through it.LOL.
I appriciate the kind words and e-mails from everyone on this thread. I didn't do it for simpathy, I did it to let those of you who come to the palace when you're here or were planning to go there know what was going on.
They are chasing their tails so to speak and as always it's the steel guitar that goes first.
I'm not as angry at being let go as I am the way they went about it.
Yes I'm out of work but I can think of alot of things that would be worse.
I heard about some e-mails sent there I think it's great that you voice your opinions I personally don't think it will matter but keep sending them.
Thanks again,
Mike |
|
|
|
Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
|
Posted 29 Nov 2002 7:38 pm
|
|
| yeah, God was truly watching out for us! Mike, the old boss was just admitted as a guest of the state, for 9 years. So you and I are indeed fortunate. Take care, and good luck with the new job! |
|
|
|
Craig A Davidson
From:
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA
|
Posted 30 Nov 2002 6:19 am
|
|
Mike, I was down there the week-end of Oct. 26 to see Buddy and Johnny with a friend of mine. You were sounding good that night. But your singing, bass playing, band member sounded like s***t. So maybe they are getting rid of the wrong one. Also, the service was poor. It took forever to get waited on and then get our food.
------------------
1985 Emmons push-pull, Session 500, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele
|
|
|
|
Bob Hayes
From:
Church Hill,Tenn,USA
|
Posted 30 Nov 2002 7:07 am
|
|
Mike,
I'm sorry to hear it too! You had a long run buddy but as they say "Always is not Forever" You are a fantastic picker and one of My idols..and I cherish you're frendship!! There is NO doubt that you will bounce back! And by the way...I didn't get to get you're newer CD the last time that I saw you ..and I need a couple of you're "Tracks" Email me back with the info that I need to send you the $$$...
Bob Hayes in Beutifull Church Hill!!! |
|
|
|
Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
|
Posted 30 Nov 2002 1:23 pm
|
|
Bob,
Check your e-mail.
Mike |
|
|
|
Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
|
Posted 30 Nov 2002 7:19 pm
|
|
| ^^ |
|
|
|
Buddy Buddy
From:
Nashville, Tn. USA
|
Posted 1 Dec 2002 4:46 am
|
|
Hey, Mike. Might be a good deal, that ol' Johnny-boy gave you. Now you can make Our NTSGA "Super Jam", next Tuesday, at the American Legion Club, just around the corner of Elm Hill Pike, OFF of Donelson Pike. Starts at 7 P.M.----SEE YOU THERE!!!!!!!
Your old friend,
"Little" Buddy. |
|
|
|
Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 1 Dec 2002 5:01 am
|
|
| Quote: |
| "the service was poor. It took forever to get waited on ..." |
Attendance was dropping at the club.
Wonder if it's the band? |
|
|
|
Dennis Detweiler
From:
Solon, Iowa, US
|
Posted 1 Dec 2002 7:10 am
|
|
See if this scenerio sounds familiar:
About 20 yrs ago we played a 4 piece in a popular area country music night club. We got $200/night. We were comprised of steel, lead, bass and drums. After a year of playing to a full house, an excellent fiddle player approaced us for a job. The club owner wouldn't pay the extra $50 to add the 5th piece. So we added him anyway and did a 5 way split of the $200. About a month later the lead player was sick and couldn't play so we played 4 piece for one night. The place was full and the club owner said he would only pay us $160 at the end of the night!!! He said he was paying for 5 and only got 4! Needless to say I was fuming and we exchanged several words. Then his follow up excuse was "no one was drinking". And my reply was, "you don't give the waitresses a til to make change at the tables when the drinks are served." "Your customers can't get waited on fast enough". Very slow service when the waitress takes a drink order, goes to the bar for the drinks, takes the drinks back to the table, customer hands her a $20, she goes back to the bar for change, goes back to the table with the change! DUH! And not enough waitresses to cover the place to begin with. After a pow wow and the whole band threatening to quit, we got the ($40)total $200 the next weekend.
A few months after that incident, the fiddle player couldn't be there one night. So the lead player's wife got up and (faked) playing an acoustic guitar all night. We asked the same club owner how he liked her playing. He said, "she sounded great".
Conclusion: Club owner mentality breakdown.
Dennis |
|
|
|
Joe Casey
From:
Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)
|
Posted 1 Dec 2002 8:47 am
|
|
Hm. Reminds me of the time when a new Club owner took over a large Night club which had a 18o seat capacity club downstairs and a 280 seat club upstairs. He hired my band for the upstairs and a Dixieland type group downstairs. It was one of those deals "work with me and when I get going I'll take care of you" . Well I at the time had a great "day Gig" so I split the 200 amongst the band. The club was in a great spot and we packed it from the first night..The dixie land band wasn't so lucky they drew about 40- 60 people and lasted about 3weeks..The club owner approached another country band with a good following at a local Veterans club. He felt that since the band at the Veterans club was packing their place that he could bring their crowd with them. He told me (not asked me) to move down stairs thinking the other band would squeeze in more people upstairs and we would pack the smaller downstairs...What happened is we didn't have enough seats and people half filled the upstairs and they were our over flow waiting for a downstairs seat..He never thought that people who went to the Veterans club just went there because they were club members and would stay at their club no matter who was there. (they still packed them in). The upstairs band lasted 6 weeks and we stayed 2 years at the place until I got tired of waiting for the when "he made it I would get it". We never went back upstairs because of the great atmosphere downstairs and my insistance on remaining downstairs.(I always had places to go) The club lasted about 7-8 months after we left but he never had the crowds again and sold out.The new owner offered me the same deal to which I laughed at his offer.. Club Owners seem like they get into a business they can't afford to unless they get bands who will work for "when I make it you guys will too".This was in the 70's so I guess things never change.
------------------
CJC
|
|
|
|
Richard Bass
From:
Sabang Beach, Philippines
|
Posted 1 Dec 2002 9:34 am
|
|
| Sorry to hear about the gig. It was a good run. I know you will pick up a new gig soon, your just too good a player to be out of work for long. Richard |
|
|
|
Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
|
Posted 3 Dec 2002 8:49 am
|
|
Thanks again guys for the moral support. I firmly believe that everything will be o.k.
If anyone wants to know if I'll be working somewhere and wants to see me when they are in town just e-mail me and I'll let you know what I'm doing while you are in town.
Mike Sweeney |
|
|
|
Reggie Duncan
From:
Mississippi
|
Posted 3 Dec 2002 9:12 am
|
|
| Best of luck to you Mike! The Christmas soundtrax are great. Really have to practice to play that Christmas music! Thanks again. |
|
|
|
Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
|
Posted 3 Dec 2002 10:05 am
|
|
Reggie,
I'll say this,Some of those Christmas songs have more chords than a radial tire.
I think while I have the time I'll dig out those tracks and see if I can still play those tunes.
Mike |
|
|
|
Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
|
Posted 6 Dec 2002 5:42 am
|
|
| Thanks Richard. |
|
|
|
Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
|
Posted 8 Dec 2002 12:56 am
|
|
| Tonight I went down town to hear some bands.I was suprised to find three steel players (many times there is no steel guitar in any of the bars down town)but that was because it`s Saturday nite I guess,but even so,if you hear one,you heard`em all.It`s all about speed and who`s gonna run thru those scales faster.I can handle only so much of that.I wish I can sit down in the bar and listen some nice and slow steel music.But I guess, those days are over.I drive for FedEx because I don`t wont to play that new "country" krap,and If I can`t play what I love, I`d rather work a day gig and not play at all.You`ll be ok Mike,God does things for a reason.You are a great player and soon there will be many oportunities for you to chose from.I wish you the best,and keep us informed,so we can come out and see you again. |
|
|
|
Michael T. Hermsmeyer
From:
Branson, Missouri, USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2002 1:38 am
|
|
Yes, I agree with Damir, although I did catch Tommy White last Monday at the Station Inn. I missed Vince, but I did get to say hey to John and Jean Hughey. Here in Branson, it seems that a steel player is just part of the scenery. The only time we get featured anymore is when we have to attempt a ride at light speed in an instrumental that the guitar player picked out to show himself off. Anyway, it seems here that the whole reason for an instrumental to be in the show at all is to give the "star" time to change into another $1000.00 outfit and let the old folks go to the bathroom. Last year I submitted a very cool version of Deep Water to be played on my Triple 8 Fender Stringmaster, but I might as well have been singin "Hello Walls", LOL!!! Guess I do have that attitude problem after all, LOL  . Wonder Why???
Hello Damir, how are you? Have you talked to the Buggs lately? I don't know how to reach them, if you know, I would appreciate it if you could give me their info. Thanks.
Again, Mike, Sorry about your gig. I did miss seeing you there last Tuesday. It was the worst $7.00 cup of coffee I ever sat through, LOL. I won't be back!
Michael T.
------------------
UTILITY MAN PRODUCTIONS
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE,
'85 DOBRO 60DS, '95 DOBRO F60S,
'95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1955 FENDER TRIPLE NECK STRINGMASTER. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps.
|
|
|
|
Damir Besic
From:
Nashville,TN.
|
Posted 8 Dec 2002 10:18 am
|
|
Hi Michael,
how is it going in Branson,it seems to me same as here in Nashville.I came across the ocean to play a real country music and I end up driving trucks.I could have done that over there if I wanted to.I`m a decade or so,late I guess.I just talked to Buggs few days back.They are in Illinois and play of course,as always.I think this should be the phone# 217-945-6865.Next time when you get to nashville drop me a note,maybe we can get together and go see some bands.Take care buddy.
Sincerely,Damir
p.s.
but I don`t think we`ll go to the Nashville Palace,nothing to see there anymore.[This message was edited by Damir Besic on 08 December 2002 at 10:19 AM.] |
|
|
|
Mike Sweeney
From:
Nashville,TN,USA
|
Posted 8 Dec 2002 9:00 pm
|
|
Michael T.,
Next time you're in Nashville and want some coffee let me know, you can come to my house and it wont cost you anything.
Mike Sweeney |
|
|
|
Michael T. Hermsmeyer
From:
Branson, Missouri, USA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2002 2:14 pm
|
|
Thanks Mike, That would be great!
Thanks also Damir, I will try to give them a call.
I will be back in Nashville sometime in January, I will look you guys up.
Happy Holidays, God Bless,
Michael T. |
|
|
|
