[Dixielandjazz] free Booze in the USA

[Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis]

Pat said: >I remember one New
> Years gig with a slap up sit down dinner. Because it was at a top class 
> hotel my wife and a gang of friends bought tickets and sat down to a 
> really superb meal while we played.
> The band looked forward to the same sort of meal on the break. What did we 
> get?  Dry sandwiches left over from the bar.

This reminds me of a NYeve gig I played about six or seven years ago.  The 
band leader thought he had  negotiated a sit down meal with the client at 
the Missouri Athletic Club.  The price on this would have been considerable 
since the band with singers and MC was 21.  Trouble was someone forgot to 
tell the management and staff.

We took a break at 10:30 and there was no din din.  This club usually has a 
break room.  They have always frowned on musicians mixing with guests.  They 
make a very ,VERY clear distinction that musicians are hired help  to the 
extent that musicians have to enter by the back door and use a separate 
elevator, break rooms etc.

Well the band leader refused to play until we were served a meal.  11:00 
came and nothing.  We were shown to a room with nothing in it.  Almost 11:30 
sandwiches and soda were brought in and we took 15 minutes to eat.  The band 
leader was really insulted because we only got sandwiches.   Right before 
midnight the band started playing.

No this isn't some Union horror story but a nutzo band leader who being a 
Dentist thought he and the band were some sort of guests at a fancy affair 
at a posh club.

I wouldn't have paid us or at least not the full tab if I were the client.
Larry
St. Louis