Gig Cancelations- and what they can mean

I received an email on Friday…the one a musician cringes when he opens.  "Ben, we regret to inform you…"

UGH

The letter went on to say that due to one circumstance or another, the concert for which I had been hired to open had been canceled.  To say I was disappointed was like saying Payton Manning was disappointed to lose the Super Bowl.  Thoughts circled in my head, thoughts like "But we have 100+ coming!"  And "We're pushing heavy promotion this weekend."  And I thought "This thing NEEDS to happen…"

I thought that, because I'm a musician building a career.  I thought that, because I wanted the fans of the other band to see us and to fall in love with us, and I wanted to turn them into new Ben Dukes fans.  I thought that, because I wasn't thinking.  I was reacting.

Then I read further in the email, to where a rep from LiveNation said "I'd like to tentatively offer you…" and he went on to inform me of a future date where he thought he could use me.  I was appreciative, and told him that I would definitely accept if that gig was offered.

That's where my mind started to take over for my initial instinct.  I realized that if they were canceling the gig, then the likelihood that I would have been able to win many fans was low.  I would have been playing to mostly my own folks, and a spattering of others.  And, don't get me wrong, every single fan matters.  Every pair of ears is important.  But, you also want to maximize every opportunity for exposure.  So, this gig would NOT have been the gig for that.

Now, I looked up the possible future gig.  That gig is as an opening act for a Nashville act that is currently on Radio, CMT, and GAC.  In short, their star is beginning to rise, and while they may need local support, they'll also have their own draw.  As such, it's a very exciting proposition for me. Losing one opportunity, and yet coming back with one that may be more advantageous - it's very cool indeed.  Yes, I was a bit upset at the effort and expense that went into my initial promotion for the canceled show.  To a degree, though, that's the cost of business; ultimately, these lemons could indeed become the sweetest of lemonade.

I'm quickly reminded of that trite saying, "When God closes a door, He opens a window."  I hate it when people tell me that.  However, in light of this recent development, it is resonating with me.  It could be, though, that instead of a window, He just went ahead and blew out the frikkin wall.

Open Concept.  I'll take it.


YeahComeOn!

- Dukes

The Return to Del Sur

Memorial Day Weekend - this year, another BBQ at Del Sur down near San Diego.  I love this community.  Close to a thousand were enjoying family activities, bbq and great music on the Saturday
 before the holiday.  It was a pleasure to go out and throw down again.  Of course, when you're traveling down to the land of perfect weather on a holiday weekend, you're going to face traffic.  I began receiving texts from different members of the band about 90 minutes before we were slated to play.  Everyone but the drummer was running late - drummers… I guess they just have good timing.  We lost one member to a blown tire.  Another was caught in the backup of a wreck…it was gonna be close.

I was the second man to arrive, followed by two guitarists… but the Bass was not there yet.  Three minutes to downbeat, and I get a text that he's in the neighborhood, looking for parking.  Two minutes to downbeat, and he's hustling to the stage.  I ask where his amp is, and the sound engineer says, "Just go DI, man.  We'll dial it in."  He plugged in, and we started the show.  No line check.  No warm ups.  Nothing.  Just plug and play, and it was awesome.

The crowd there grew steadily over the course of our sixty minutes.  It was great.  Folks were singing along with the Covers we played, and dancing through our originals.  After the show ended, folks came over to the merch table.  A young fan was disappointed when he only had $5 instead of the $8 cost of our CD.  I took the loss.  If a kid wants to walk away with my CD, I'm gonna make that happen.  A couple koozies, a t-shirt… a few sales, and then conversations with new fans.  Definitely rewarding.

And then… Nancarrow.

If you don't know Nancarrow, look them up.  Graham Nancarrow is a fabulous entertainer and a stand-up guy.  He treated the crowd with respect, tossed a couple shout-outs my way, and really just did things the way they should be done.  We swapped discs as we both climbed into our black F-150s after the show.  I've met a number of other acts over the years, few that I am suddenly a fan of.  But, Nancarrow is one.  I'm a fan.

I encourage you to check them out…and if you're throwing a huge party, want a country band, and want to pay top dollar…..  book us.  But if we're busy, book Nancarrow.


Yeahcomeon!

- Dukes