Longest wait for gig $?

[MojoBari]

I'm still waiting for pay from a November 2002 gig. What's the longest you've waited (and still got paid)?

[Tharruff]

In the big band that I played in before I moved, the leader payed everyone in CASH at the end of the gig. I guess that I was spoiled in that regard.

We played at a nightclub once, booked there by some kind of a local impressario. He had a heart attack right after the gig and wound up in the hospital. It turned out that the check he gave the bandleader BOUNCED.

We joked about going to the hospital and threatening to 'pull the plug' to get him to pay up.

We didn't...and he finally made good on his debt.

Another time at another nightclub, the owner of the place told the bandleader that he couldn't pay us at the end of the night. As I said above, the bandleader always paid us in cash, so it was him who was out, not the musicians. Eventually, he got this club owner to cough it up also.

PS. If you have been waiting since November of last year to get paid for a gig, I think that you might be out of luck.....

[MojoBari]

I know. But I still have a shot. The problem is he owes losta guys so when he does get some $, I may not be high on the list.

Big band leaders usually pay cash in my area too. They are organized/disciplined enough to have the float needed for this practice.

[JL]

Well, I guess it would be a gig I played last year, after which I quit the band (for various reasons not relevant to this thread). Foolishly I quit before asking for my pay on that last gig........I don't ever expect to see the $$, but it was only abour $50 or so.

In the band I play in now, whenever I get the gig, I pay all my bandmates in CASH on the night of the gig, as long as I have been paid or know I can trust the client.

[Bootman]

I have currently been waiting 5 yrs for payment from one gig. I gave up waiting 4 1/2 yrs ago but I caught up with the fellow who owed me the money and he said he was going to pay me. I'll believe it when I see it!!

[MojoBari]

Any long wait stories with one actually getting the money? Up 'til now, my longest wait has been about 3 months.

[Roger McWilliams]

I always pay cash to the players I bring in at the start of the gig if the pay flows through me. In this way, I feel the players are more enthusiastic for the immediate gig and are more likely to work their schedules for being available next time I call them. If they slack off during the gig since the money is in their pocket, then they will not be likely to get called again. Occasionally I've been unpaid by the client for as long as three months, but not longer. I attempt to book such that we get the check when the reeds are being moistened.

[saxboy]

It was a gig that I consigned CDs to J&R Music. I called for 1 1/2 years to New York from California before giving up all together. That was 1998 and the check was in the mail a dozen times, never getting off the JR desk?
The real question is, how long do you wait before removing his life from your world. I tend to give up pretty fast and don't ever work for them again, bashing them in every meeting with peers. (Pretty much)
Life is too short and sax is too cool to put up with guys stealing from you.

[sessionsax]

So far I have been very lucky. Most sessions here in Nashville are paid by check the day of the session.

Also, I have always insisted on getting paid for live stuff when I arrived at the gig -- and cash is the norm.

I have been stuck a couple of times when I was doing the casino thing in Biloxi from sideman gigs with circuit bands that were paid with one check by the house. Of course, they always insisted on cashing the check and mailing your cut -- but most of the time, things have worked out.

[MojoBari]

I'm thinking of trying small claims court. Anyone have experiance with it?

[gary]

Don't know if the intention of this thread was for single gig or steady gig but...One year and a half year.

I began directing an ensemble at a university here in Oktober 2001 and the shameless German bureaucracy didn't pay me until last April. (2003!) In the meantime, I started leading a group at a high school in September 2002 and didn't get paid there for the first eight months, either.

Funny thing was, I got paid for all of it the same week and had enough cash to put a hefty down payment on a new car.

[jazziz1]

Played a wedding once where the bride was supposed to pay up at the end of the night, but forgot her checkbook. I totally understood, as I had just gotten married a year or so before that, and could relate to all the organizing she had probably had to deal with. I said no problem, just send it after you get back from the honeymoon. Well, I waited and waited, called and left messages, and still...no check. Fortunately I had a contract on the gig, and after a couple of personable (at first) to not-so-nice (later) letters, including copies of the signed contract, and finally, a threat to call a collection agency, she paid my my $100. Took about 6 months. Now, if I don't know the client, I am especially careful to use a contract!!

[saxboy]

My then wife booked me for a 2 PA gig with Cerimony, Reception and Reception to cover. She soon after kicked me out and I never saw that money. It was almost 5 years ago now. That's a long time...
SAXBOY
www.gregvail.com

[Ytrac Productions]

Believe it or not, 10 years to get paid for playing at my UNCLES WEDDING. He hired a band I was playing with, and I ended up paying the guys out of my pocket. I finally gave up, and have not spoken to him in 6 years.

Lesson: NEVER AGREE TO PLAY FOR PAY FOR A FAMILY FUNCTION!!

[MojoBari]

I...just...got...paid. Now we have to see if the check clears.

[jazzbluescat]

I...just...got...paid. Now we have to see if the check clears.

I ain't believing it.

I reckon it including cost of living/inflation rate. :lol:

[saxtek]

I waited about ten years to get paid for "The Birthday Concert" CD recording by Jaco Pastorius. But then again, it took that long for the record company to release the CD.