[Dixielandjazz] Re: Simultaneous Gigs

[Shortuba at aol.com]

Mike and listers -

I, too, when in Chicago played more than a few gigs with the Banjo Buddies.  
At that time (early 1980's) he would book out as many as five or six different 
groups on the same night, all claiming to be the "Banjo Buddies".  I think Ed 
justified it by sending a different member of the original group with each 
sub - let group (I know, it's a term I just made up.  Couldn't think of anything 
else.).  He probably got some complaints later on and used a different name 
for the sub - let group.

Ed would also wait until the check to him cleared the bank before paying the 
musicians.  That meant not getting your check for maybe as much as six weeks.  
That's worse than some Trust Fund jobs.  On the other hand, my first 
experience with White Castle was courtesy of Mike Bezin after a Banjo Buddies gig.  
What else was open at 3 am in Chicago back then?

Mike Short
Tuba,
Party Gras Band, Des Moines, IA
Red Rose Ragtime Band, Chicago