I get a lot of emails and calls this time of year. Some are old friends, some acquaintances and some people I've never met. They are all looking for the same thing. Work.
I wish I could help everyone, but I can't. If I hear of something, I try and steer it their way, but that's not a condolence for them to hear. And I don't often hear of jobs. I actually feel guilty sometimes, because I know it's been a while since I've been out of work. But I remember back when I was making those calls myself. I think many people take their gigs for granted. I hear people who are working, bitching about their gig. They don't realize they are fortunate. I should give these guys phone #'s to the people who are calling me. Just so these constant complainers will have something to be thankful for.
Got an email from a knucklehead club LD the other day. He was pretty much telling me, not asking, that I should give him a gig. I was insulted by his tone. If he was standing next to me I would have bitch slapped his ass. I met this guy a couple years ago when he was lighting an opening act on a tour I designed. I told him if he came in early and gave the crew a hand, I would consider taking him under my wing, since he did have good timing. But he never really came in to help my guys. And when I gave him lighting advice, he would nod, then just never do anything about improving his show. Now he emails me every month looking for a gig.
I'm kind of venting here, but I wish young people would listen for a change. Work hard when you are gigging. People notice this. Be a slouch at work, and they notice even more. For years I busted my hump. If band gear or speakers were in my way at a load out, I helped push the crap towards a truck. It got me done with the gig faster. Other folks choose to sit on a road case and wait their turn to work. That's their perogative, but also shows the lack of being a team player. I think that my work ethic is probably the reason I never have to look for work now that I'm older.
Nowadays old friends are managers and assorted professionals and they call me with all kinds of gigs.. Because they remember that I busted my butt when I didn't have to. As for the club LD who keeps emailing me, I will never recommend him to anyone for a gig. And I don't feel bad that he's starving. He chose not to work or make an impression when he could have. I choose to ignore him now.
