First up, apologies for being a bit quiet in here lately. I've had a ridiculous number of gigs, videos to make, and just to make things interesting, I've been battling a chest infection as well. Apparently my body has decided that 29 years of gigging isn't enough punishment. 😂 Anyway, something happened the other day that got me thinking, and I'd love to hear how the rest of you handle this. I turned up to a gig, ready to work, only to discover I'd been double booked. Two entertainers, one venue, one timeslot. So I got sent home. My agent has told me he'll invoice the venue for the full fee, which I completely agree with. If the venue makes the mistake, the musician shouldn't be the one losing money. We've kept the date available, turned down other potential work, travelled to the gig and fulfilled our side of the agreement. But here's where it gets interesting. What happens when it's the AGENT who makes the mistake? In the 29 years I've worked with my agent, I've been double booked quite a few times. And not once have I asked him for a cancellation fee. To be fair, he's never offered one either. Part of me thinks I've been far too accommodating over the years. But another part of me has always looked at the bigger picture. This is someone who provides me with a lot of work, and I've never wanted to damage a good working relationship over one lost gig. Then again, if I made a mistake that cost someone else several hundred dollars, I'd expect to take responsibility for it. Maybe I'm too nice. Or maybe it's just a case of playing the long game and knowing which battles are worth fighting. And perhaps there's a reasonable compromise here. Rather than expecting the agent to pay the FULL gig fee out of their own pocket, what about a cancellation fee? Maybe 50% of the agreed amount? That way the musician isn't left completely out of pocket, but the agent isn't being punished quite so heavily for what might have been an honest mistake. So here's my question to the group:

I've been asked to sit in with a band I helped found in 2021. It was started as a duo then expended to 4 piece. Drums, bass, rhythm, and lead. I was lead, the band leader added another lead guitar for some reason. I left the outfit. I co-wrote two songs and the front man has offered me a chance to sit in on the studio recordings of those two songs. I have no idea what this all entails. Anyone with experience?

Not music, but anyway, our boiler has packed up, and we're without central heating. However, we have a few electric heaters and a log burner in the house. We have a service and repair contract. We go to the gym and have a shower. I'll shave when the hot water is back. So, we 're lucky. So this time of year, in the Northern Hemisphere, look out for that elderly neighbour, see what you can do to help.

Hey all. My favorite coffee house here in ABQ is a pleasant place to stop and have a latter and find people you can talk to and meet. Just last wee met a delightful women and carried on a conversation for ab hour or so. It's also a plac3 to make connections. NO NOT THAT KIND!🤣 Well maybe yes. One of the baristas is a musician and his side hustle is acting as booking agent and general support agent for bands. He knows about us, and did not ask to rep us but I have spoken to him about it. ANd he would welcome us as a client. So................. What questions do I ask? What are the rates for this sort of service? Pitfalls? Challenges? Upside? Thanks.

One of the things I like about music is its power to evoke emotion. Maybe we forget that sometimes, after repeating that same old song for the 100th time. But for that person in the crowd it could very well bring back happy or bitter sweet memories of that person they love or have loved and lost. In 1979 my girlfriend and I went to see The Rose with Bette Midler. On the way home I asked her to marry me. We had only been going out for 4 months and I had already asked her a couple of weeks after we met (she rightly said maybe see how it goes). This time she said yes and 6 months later we were married. We are still together. So The Rose for me is a very powerful song and always brings a tear of happiness. So here is me trying to do a bit of an instrumental over a backing track, and a song I wrote for my love about our journey. A bit soppy I know.