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Topic: Loyalty vs. $$$ |
Steve Alonzo Walker
From:
Spartanburg,S.C. USA (deceased)
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 5:05 am |
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| David Ball, my employer, just received 8 fill-in dates for another country artist and this is were the story begins. I've been with David for 10 years and friends before that, so he calls and says that because of the high cost of fuel, he was going to trim the band down to do these dates and guess who got trimmed...yep, me! It is a shame that someone who loves the music buisness and especially the road as I do to be treated this way! This is what happens when a person puts the all-mighty dollar ahead of the friendship and loyalty of someone. I wish David all the best, but I cannot continue to work for him after this spit in the face! Now I have to look for another road gig hopefully with someone who will appreciate me and stick by me. I will miss all the guys in the band because we are more of a family rather than just a band. I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else because it's just not right! [This message was edited by Steve Alonzo Walker on 12 October 2005 at 06:08 AM.] |
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Ken Thompson
From:
Great Falls, Montana, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 6:06 am
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| That's tough Steve. I feel for you especially since David was more than an employer. I am curious, what other players does he carry with him. I think a band has to have at least drums, bass and lead guitar. Then you start adding. Is there another player that could have been sacrificed and still maintained the quality of show that he wanted? |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 6:36 am
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I try not to burn bridges in the music biz. Sooner or later you will need a gig and he might have one for you. Just remember that HE is obviously the band leader/employer and you are a sideman. Whatever the leader decides is what gets done, no matter if you have played with them for 10 or a hundred years. I don't see this as a "spit in the face". I see it as business. All this "loyalty, friends" stuff usually does not work out when money matters come into play. If there was no agreement among the band concerning layoffs as a result of increased expenses then whatever the leader decides goes.
I would look for some other gigs, but not cut ties with someone who has hired you for 10 years.
When he does want to rehire you, then renegotiate your business deal with him. If that does not work out in your favor or if he refuses, THEN cut the ties if you want. |
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John De Maille
From:
On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 6:40 am
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Steve,
Even in a "family", blood is not the deciding factor! David is, and never was a true friend or family to you. I'm sorry for your loss. It really is a dog eat dog world today. |
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Jeff Hyman
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 6:48 am
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| Did he replace you with another steel player? |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 7:00 am
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Blood does not allways win out when $$$ is concerned!!!
Two yrs ago when we were going thru so much sickness with my Mother, and my wife's Father, [we lost them both] during this time we weren't taking a lot of gigs, our oldest son who was playing guitar with us comes in one night and says hey I'm gonna go play with another band, they will pay more $$$$, I'll still work with you when I
can!! This caused a really big riff between him and his Mother, and I quess you know she won't let me call him for a job now PERIOD!!!!
Sad part, the band that blew all the "smoke" in his face had a big explosion after 3 gigs, broke up and they all went back to the country they came from..
So even if it's family don't expect it to be all flowers, and candy!!
Larry
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Emmons S/D-10, 3/5, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"
[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 12 October 2005 at 08:02 AM.] |
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Zach Parish
From:
Asbury, MO USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 7:27 am
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| Man I am sorry to hear that Steve. An excellent steel player such as yourself should be able to find work elsewhere. In my opinion, you were the best part of David's show. You really added a lot. Shame the folks from now on are gonna miss out. |
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Dean Dobbins
From:
Rome, Ilinois, U.S.A. * R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 7:32 am
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David Who???
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Dino |
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jim milewski
From:
stowe, vermont
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 7:45 am
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| I like David Ball, his music to me was more real country than a lot of new stuff out there which wouldn't use steel anyway, to me his decision to let the steel go is wrong, his music should have steel |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 8:05 am
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It happens all the time, to everybody, so don't take it personally and don't burn any bridges. The bruised ego is an expensive thing to maintain if you turn down future gig offers based on an *offense* from the past.
I've known David since the 70's when he lived in Austin, incidentally, but never have worked for him. In this situation that makes no nevermind, of course.
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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association
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Mark Metdker
From:
North Central Texas, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 10:10 am
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Unfortunately survival is the game that we all play. David is doing his best to survive just like you are Steve. It's a bitch that you are the one to get the axe. But, as steelers we have to realize that we are a "luxury" in most bands. The lead guitarist will always survive bdfore the steeler. This same thing has probably happened to most steelers that have been around a while. i know it has happened to me also. But, the guy that had to get rid of me hired me back later. I agree with everyone here who says to not burn bridges. Besides it's probably not personal, it's just business.
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Zum U-12 w/True Tone pickup thru a Nashville 112
Strats thru a VHT Super 30
Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 10:17 am
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| Thats SUCKS,but not has much as Mr. Ball's music will without a steel!!!! I guess he has a Thinking problem. |
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W. C. Edgar
From:
Iowa City Iowa, Madison CT, Nashville, Austin, Phoenix
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 10:18 am
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| Steve! I feel for ya my friend. Ty England did us the same way. He had the best band hands down he'd ever had according to his road manager/brother Greg England. And what does he do when things get a little tight but replaces everyone with local players with no soul. I went from making about $200 a day to making 90. Hell I'd rather work for Dale Watson again and do it for $50 a nite and stay happy. When I get a deal with my new cd being the kind of guy I am I should carry 2 steel players along with the fiddle and rest of the band just for spite. Just remember that what goes around comes around so keep in touch. We've been friends since we all lived in Nashville so keep the faith. PS, can ya help me get that squirrel out of my attic? WC www.wcedgar.com |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 10:49 am
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What bothers me about it is "The high Cost of Fuel" comment...
Is it only these 8 dates...? Which are fill in dates or is it ALL dates going forward ?
Sadly though I would agree that being a Bass Player will keep you working forever..long after death... Being A Lead Player will keep you working right up to death... being a Steel Player gets you off the Bus first...
I hate it for ya Steve... |
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 10:51 am
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| "I'd rather work for Dale Watson again" |
I sorry to say I've never been to a DW show. I have his CDs and enjoy them, but when he came anywhere near my area (Buffalo, NY) he opted to save cost by not bringing a Steel Guitarist.
I think it was false economy because, as was discussed here at the time, many of us had plans to attend, and canceled.
It will catch up with Mr. Ball. |
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 11:10 am
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Let me name three people who I consider to have been outstanding examples of honesty and integrity in a difficult business:
Randy Archer and Johnny Park, Archer/Park.(Atlantic Records), back in the stone age...
Gary Morse.
The list of those who have been less than exemplary is too long...
Take the high road.
Very best wishes.
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Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 11:59 am
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| That's the very reason I keep the same thought in the back of my mind all the time about the music business. I play a gig or regular playing job until it's over. When it's over, it's over and I move on to another one. If it's in the same band, fine, if not, then I blend in with whoever I start playing with again and go on. To me, musicians/singers,etc. are like a big circle. It goes round and round. It may be 20 years or it may be a week but somewhere down the road we all meet again and usually work together at some point. I got burned one time years ago. Walked into play that night and all my equipment was moved off stage. The band leader had to make some changes but didn't call and tell anybody. Yes, it left a real bad taste in my mouth and even today if that person called me to play a regular gig, I would turn it down but I would still play a weekend or one nighter if it was where I could. |
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Terry Wood
From:
Lebanon, MO
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 12:11 pm
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Steve,
It happens to all of us sooner or later. I experienced it years ago, and when younger it really bothered me.
Now I look back and find it was a blessing to get out of the band I was in at that time.
Maybe there is a better gig or something better down the road for you.
GOD bless ya!
Terry |
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Stephan Franck
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 2:35 pm
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I've been in this type of situation before.
If you have the relationship with him that you say you have, he owes you one, and he knows it, and most likely, he will feel compelled to make it up to you someday.
So best to gracefully accept the I.O.U (even if it's an unspoken one), than to throw it in his face.
just my 2 cents. |
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Billy Wilson
From:
El Cerrito, California, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 2:42 pm
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| I gotta go with the guys who are saying don't burn the bridges. I've been fired and hired and refired and rehired so many times it all seems like part of the plan. I quit a few as well but tried to do it a way so as not to burn the bridge. |
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Brett Anderson
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 2:53 pm
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| I love David Ball but getting the axe because of the high cost of fuel sounds like horses--t to me. Don't they still have to get to the gigs anyway? I'm sure that 1 extra picker on a bus doesn't break the bank. Shouldn't cost any extra at all. Lets face it, the music business sucks. |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 4:02 pm
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| About a month ago I was supposed to drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks Alaska along with my best friend who is a fiddle player,this is about an eight hour trip.Two days before the gig the star that we we're going to back up called me and said that the club owner did'nt want to pay for the fiddle player because the price off gas was so high,I told the star to call the fiddle player and tell him,he said no and wanted me to do it.I told him that I wouldn't and cancelled on the gig.I'm a fool to do your dirty work.I learned my lesson a long time ago when I lived in L.A.I was playing guitar in a band and the steel player was a good friend of mine,The band leader had some issues that he wanted to talk about,I voiced my oppinion and the steel guitar player friend didn't back me up,I asked him why not he said that he didn't want to get fired.As for the band leader his pit bull attacked him while he was napping on the couch,a couple of nice teeth marks in his skull.Time will take care of it's self! |
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Bob Hempker
From:
Goodlettsville, TN.
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 5:14 pm
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Steve, I'm really sorry! I remember playing gigs way back without a drummer or keyboard player, but the bands always had a steel. Guess times have changed. I lost a gig a year ago, and they kept 2 fiddles and 2 keyboards. Go figure!
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Stephan Franck
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 6:36 pm
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| I love how "the high price of gas" has become the new all-purpose excuse. maybe I'll use it agaisnt telemarketers... |
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Ted Solesky
From:
Mineral Wells, Texas, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2005 7:17 pm
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John, is that the same Johnny Park from Dallas area? If it is, I worked for back around 1983. We had a hot little band. He's a talented person and good people.
What Herb says is so true. Business is business and you can't afford to burn bridges. I learned that lesson from a band leader who always shook hands when someone left the band for what ever reason. It got him out of a lot of holes by keeping an open contact line there.
As for the gas shortage myth, a Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, gave a lecture titled, 'Saudi Arabia and the International Oil Market', at the James A. Baker Institute. It's on record, he stated 'there is no oil shortage'. Canada just announced that they found a big block of land far north where the moose outnumber the people (Alberta area), that has estimated 1.7 trillion barrel of oil!! Presently, it cost Saudi $4 to produce a barrel of oil (what are we paying?). The Canadian oil will cost $16 to produce a barrel because of the type of sand involved. Anyone thinks this will bring prices down? No way. It was also leaked out that in the last 12 months, the refineries made 300% profit margin! Wow! |
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