Should I even consider going back to a show that I used to do

[DanG2006]

It really wasn't that busy but I am competing with a local fair and I believe that the majority of the singers chose to go to the fair. I am probably going to have it the same way tonight. The newest song that a singer requested, not counting my roommate and I was Julie Roberts - break down here.

[DanG2006]

Oh well, can't say that Wiseguy didn't warn me. I show up to set up and got told not to bother that I should just take my equipment and go. I still don't know why I was let go but was told that the commander was a real prick and has done this to others who worked for him. I went to see my friend that referred me and he could not understand why either. I ran into a lady who was at the show last night and she was also confused with the decision to let me go. Most of the people who were there for the last forty-five minutes were really getting into the southern rock that I was playing trying to fill out the night so that they wouldn't have to listen to the two singers that were left.

[wiseguy]

Oh well, can't say that Wiseguy didn't warn me. I show up to set up and got told not to bother that I should just take my equipment and go. I still don't know why I was let go but was told that the commander was a real prick and has done this to others who worked for him. I went to see my friend that referred me and he could not understand why either. I ran into a lady who was at the show last night and she was also confused with the decision to let me go. Most of the people who were there for the last forty-five minutes were really getting into the southern rock that I was playing trying to fill out the night so that they wouldn't have to listen to the two singers that were left.

That's what you get for playing that Devil's music, you know, anything recorded after 1960.

[DanG2006]

Rub is that he wasn't around when I was playing the Southern Rock and I doubt that the Bartender would have complained because it was her husband that requested the Southern Rock. It was mostly Country, Oldies and some old rock and roll that was requested by the singers to sing, nothing real hard.

[The Lone Ranger]

Oh well, can't say that Wiseguy didn't warn me. I show up to set up and got told not to bother that I should just take my equipment and go. I still don't know why I was let go but was told that the commander was a real prick and has done this to others who worked for him. I went to see my friend that referred me and he could not understand why either. I ran into a lady who was at the show last night and she was also confused with the decision to let me go. Most of the people who were there for the last forty-five minutes were really getting into the southern rock that I was playing trying to fill out the night so that they wouldn't have to listen to the two singers that were left.

Sounds like this difficult commander doesn't like karaoke, and was giving you a try out just to please some post members. If he has acted this way to others then it is noting personal Danny. Most posts I have done karaoke for are willing to carry a host for a while to see if he catches fire. Sometimes the expectations are unrealistic and you are supposed to wave a magic wand and poof instant success. One particular cowboy host my local post has carried for almost a year, and he really hasn't got the job done. Since I run the entertainment now due to a recent election I have given one of his night's to a host that brings in our target market baby boomers. Profits are up since I made the move, sometimes it is a matter of getting the right host for the right venue. You also have to remember Dan that their are a lot of post politics that effect decisions, which aren't always made in the best interests of the post. By the way they did pay you didn't they?

[wiseguy]

Rub is that he wasn't around when I was playing the Southern Rock and I doubt that the Bartender would have complained because it was her husband that requested the Southern Rock. It was mostly Country, Oldies and some old rock and roll that was requested by the singers to sing, nothing real hard.

The Commander wouldn't need to be there. All it takes is one of his cronies with the same attitude to get in his ear. I'm not buying that they simply did not like karaoke or they would not have contracted you (even verbally) to perform weekly. The "officers" at these places are almost invariably on a power trip. There's nothing democratic about the way they are run. You're actually better off not playing there because your shows would no longer be yours but dictated by a dictator.

I'm not speaking from some isolated incident. I have played Legions and VFWs in several cities in two states. I always insist on a contract and to be paid in full in advance. If some fool throws a hissy fit I can tell them where to shove it and if they tell me to leave it's their loss. In all these years and shows I can remember only one instance where I actually had a physical confrontation with the management. It was at a VFW when the second in command came storming up to a singer, jerked the microphone out of his hand, and told him that he would not sing that garbage there. The garbage he was referring to was a classic rock song (Smoke on the Water) that would be perfectly acceptable to play even where children are present. When I went to confront him about messing with the singer he shoved me. I shoved him back hard enough to bounce his ass off the floor. Of course, I was immediately escorted out.

You will like working at any bar better than an American Legion or VFW.

[The Lone Ranger]

Maybe I have been lucky I really had no problems playing for anyone, as long as they were comfortable and I was, which happened most of the time.