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Needless to say, without a promotional tape, our weddings decreased and
clubs increased. It got to point where we were doing three or four weekends in a row; as opposed to two or three weddings per month. Also, pay at a four hour wedding is much better than working four hours, two nights in a row, (eight hours total) at a club. Not that money was my motive. It wasn't. But, it was nice to work a wedding and make what I'd bust my "you know what" working a whole weekend at a club!
So, after about a year and a half of bookings increasing, (the clubs loved us), I had to make a choice.
Everything in life, (and if you've read some of my other material you'll know I mean this), requires balance. Working most weekends was tiring and was putting a strain on my fiance and I. He went to a lot of gigs with me because working in a club environment is much different than doing a wedding. You know, there's a bit more trouble to be found. Luckily, my experience with band was pretty much trouble free. Although I must say that there were many folks at weddings who'd tip a few too many and loved to jump up on stage, grab microphone and belt away! (Those times were funny, and there were some people who were pretty damn good)!
Back to choice. It was a tough one. If only...but we don't live in an "if only" world. The bookings were not going to lighten up -- as a matter of fact it was opposite. We had definitely become a club band -- no longer doing weddings as our primary gigs. And, music was getting a bit stale, although I introduced a lot of new material to band. I also play keys so I could work out tunes at home.
I digress.
On New Years Eve, 1999-2000, I sang with band for last time. It wasn't an easy decision, but one I had to make. Although painful at time, I must say that with pain comes growth. I never would have started my e-book and landed a contract if I were still with band. I wouldn't be a contributor on various writing sites if I were still with band. I had to put my creative energies somewhere and they landed upon cyber pages of Internet. I am glad for that.
And music hasn't left me. It can't. It would be like cutting off my right arm. I still play, still sing, still sit in occasionally. I even reunited with band at my sister's wedding this past November and it was GREAT! Just like yesterday. That same ol' chemistry was there, not to be broken by time. We laughed just like we always did.
When my father plays his solo gig in a small restaurant/bar, we go see him and I've been know to sit and play/sing a few at end of night. It brings back wonderful feelings and I love making people happy. When I hear, "Could you sing 'this or that', it feels terrific. (However, it's quite embarrassing when I don't know tune....)
Who knows? Maybe someday I'll pick up a solo gig somewhere... © Ellen M. DuBois
Ellen M. DuBois, MA - Ms. DuBois is engaged and has a dog who loves to critique her work. She is published in vol.2 of God Allows U-Turns with her piece, "The Angel in the Dumpster". She writes to touch the hearts of others. Please visit Writings of the Heart, her award winning writer's resource site- http://writingsoftheheart.homestead.com/index.html
