[TPIN] alcohol on gigs

[Eric Bolvin]

<<ok, so thing are not "all " fun and games in the House Band for the taco 
stand.

I am asking a question that I suppose i already know the answer to, but 
maybe, just maybe, someone has a suggestion.

if you are in a band (small combo sort of thing, we have 6 folks 
including singer), and a couple of them have a serious drinking issue 
(as in on our last gig one of them needed to lean against the band stand 
he was standing in front of for support ---during the middle of the 
FIRST set), how do you deal with it?>>

It may be important to remember that these people are your friends as well as
your band mates. Is their health and welfare important to you? 
It sounds like they have a drinking problem and you have recognized this.
Although firing them may solve the musical problem, it likely will not help them
with their drinking. 
I suggest you look up Al-Anon (not Alcoholics Anonymous) and attend a meeting.
Al-Anon is for people who are affected by a friend or relative or associate that has 
a drinking problem.
Present your problem to the group just like you presented it here and you'll get some
useful advice. 
It's easy to judge someone with a problem and turn your back on them. 
It's harder to be compassionate and try to help someone who really may be struggling.

HTH

Eb


Eric Bolvin
The Really Big Student Songbook
The Arban Manual
www.BolvinMusic.com
www.myspace.com/ericbolvin  
408.236.2009