Brutal. Did you lose out on this gig because the other band got there first or because the person who booked them had more clout at the club?

I'm sure that most of us weekend warriors here book gigs verbally, but this is a good reason to consider using a contract. I've only done so once when we were traveling 250 miles to play a party that required an overnight stay. None of us were going to make money on it but we wanted to make sure that we didn't lose any.

One thing that we do is to confirm gigs by e-mail about a week before. Not that we would ever go to court over a double-booked gig, but a printout of a return confirmation might have been enough to compel the bar to force the other band to tear down.

I only watch legal shows on TV, so perhaps someone here with legal knowledge can weigh in.

I hope the bar at least fed you and/or bought you a round or two before sending you on your way.

Al

Always have a contract....was burned years ago and took only once. Good thing too! Played a gig for the Reno County Sheriffs Convention...signed contract for a three hour gig, but the person that signed the contract was a no show...we finished and this drunk SOB came to the stage...I assume he had some clout as he argued it was a 4 hour show, and pulled our check out of his pocket. I said I was sorry for the confusion to him and the other 20 or so cops, but stated if it was a 4 hour gig, our price was X amount and not the amount he had on the check for the three hour gig. I pulled out our contract and let the other guys (sober) look it over...handed it back to me and explained to the SOB that it was legit. He got ****sd, and ripped the check up in front of us. I just smiled and said, ok...if that is the way you feel, see how you feel when we take the sheriffs department to court and it comes out in the paper....the guys pulled him outside,and collected cash to pay us.....was worried a bit, cause who do you call if there is trouble? Hell they were all there!

Just food for thought

Nevin

Kinda makes me think of the Blues Brothers when they write the check for the beer they drank on the glove box door with the engine running.

This happened to us when we went to the studio to record. There was a guy setting up a kit in our room. Turned out that we got to record because we traveled more miles then the other band.

So now that were on the subject of contracts, what about insurance. Does your band have a policy of any kind? DO the bars and clubs require any?

Aaarggh, I hate that. :D

Nevin nailed it... no signed contract, no gig. The last band I worked for was all contract work. Not an absolute guarantee that things won't ever go wrong, but it sure gives you some solid footing in an argument.

John

I hate when the steel guitar player tries to help you load your equipment, drops the hihat stand, spurs sticking downward, onto your back seat(leather) in a brand new VW eos, and then slides it around to adjust it. I hate that.

I`ve only had this happen once in 1967.We arrived to play a large High School and found another band from out west here in Canada, moving their gear into the huge auditorium.It turned out it was a surprise"battle of the bands" which neither band knew about. We happened to win this battle ,but both bands got paid and i can`t recall if there was a contract or not.Ahhh-the good old days...

Wayne

I always get a contract for all private and corporate gigs. Bars around here won't work with contracts. It's based on a handshake. You have to make sure you check out the bar owner with other bands. Regardless, I always confirm all gigs a week before we play. I've only been burned twice in 40 years.