As most of you know, I have two bands. I'm in both of them because they each give me something the other can't. This brings up a question a lot of ma usicians should ask themselves, why does one stay with a particular band? As I thought about this, I came up with five reasons:

1. REPERTOIR - If you believe and like what you play, you have incentive to stay. A rocker will not be happy playing bubble gum pop.
2. BAND MATES - I like my bandmates. I treat them like family. Being this close to your bandmates helps make being together much bareable. Remember, you will be with these people for quite sometime. Of course it goes without saying that they know how to play their instrument well and that musically we jive.
   
3. GOOD GIGS - The venues you play at and the audience that watches you have to be good. If the equipment is crap and the audience is unresponsive, it's a big let down to morale. Believe me, I've had my share of "shit" gigs.
   
4. FUN FACTOR - If playing with this band is fun, you might overlook a lot of other frustrations. Playing well together is the biggest contributor to this.
5. MONEY - Pay me enough and I'll play anything.

For me, a band with three of the five factors will make me stay (at least till something better comes along). Go below that and I'm gone.

This entry was posted by Frank, on Friday, October 08, 2004. You can leave your response.