[1saxman]

Last Saturday night we were having dinner after sound check and I bit my tongue. It hurt, but I didn't think about it too much. I knew it was bleeding but I wasn't concerned. I still kept tasting blood, and later in the room while getting dressed realized it was still bleeding. I soaked it in brandy and that didn't help either, except I felt better about it . Anyway, 9:00 came and we started. Every time I looked at the reed it seemed to have more blood on it. More brandy! It was probably 11:00 before it really stopped. In the meanwhile, I was having an excellent night playing, for some unknown reason. Never had that happen before, and I've been gigging since 1963.
Just so those of you who wonder about gigging know what it means - you play the gig if you're physically able. No excuses. I've played with severe bronchitis and a fever, wrapped up in a sweater. With a cast on my wrist/hand that I made them let me hold my hand a certain way when they made the cast so I could play. I played on both of my wedding nights, the night my first son was born and the night after my father's funeral. Of course, these were not little bar gigs or Moose Lodges, and I was playing for a living. Even now I will not back out on a gig even if I think I'll hate it. You go on out, play some music, have a little fun and pocket some bread. It always turns out okay. The other factor is, if you make yourself indispensable, you have to be there. I never tried to make myself indispensable. I just played with all my heart, and it just happened. Its not like I could say 'Oh, I have a sore on my tongue so I'm laying back tonight'. They write the song list so I can take rides, and I am going to take them.
So, that was definately a weird night in the life of an old veteran. But on the bright side, its good that I still have teeth to bite with and for playing!

 

[JL]

Well done, 1saxman, and a great post!

Just so those of you who wonder about gigging know what it means - you play the gig if you're physically able. No excuses.

That pretty much says it all. The show must go on.

Funny you put this up now. I just played a gig last Sat night with food poisoning. It wasn't as gruesome as it sounds, because I was only starting to get the stomach ache during the gig, but it was very uncomfortable. I still enjoyed playing somehow. By the time I got home it was much worse, and the next day I couldn't have played to save my life. Then it ended (a 24 hour ordeal). I did stay away from a jam the next night, but that wasn't a paid, scheduled gig.

Yeah, if you can stand up and move at all, you can make the gig.

 

[patmiller]

Thanks for the story. Like you, it takes a lot for me to miss a gig. Since I started in 1967 I can count the number I've missed through illness on two hands. The fact that I can remember most instances shows that they were unusual. But I've also always had a day gig, usually with generous sick leave provisions. So I would need a lot of hands to count the number of sick days I've had in the same time.

I played in the band at my own (first) wedding. And I played on the night my first born came home from hospital. My (second) ex-wife brought that up during our break up as one of the grudges she held and would never forgive.

Funny thing is I've only recently begun to say no to gigs. But I think it's a far different thing to say no when asked than to say yes and then let anyone down.

 

[Carl H.]

I'm trying to recall if I've ever missed a gig due to illness or injury. I can recall doing gigs that I do not remember afterward because I was sick - but I played the gig.

Last December I had surgery on my feet. The next night I played my regular weekly gig, and did 2 gigs that weekend - they were booked before the surgery.

I think the most difficult illness related gig I ever had was playing timpani for Pagliacci with a head cold so bad I couldn't hear to tune the drums. I had to tune based in the head vibrating to a pitch or not. The most painful was when I managed to take a chunk out of my left shoulder during the 3rd week of a 6 week run of a show. Never missed a performance, though I did sit out a few bars now and then for that one.

Nothing gets a player on my do not call list faster than ducking a gig for a minor illness - and not calling a sub or me!

 

[littlewailer]

Playing with a harsh sneeze going on is almost impossible.

Try playing four bars and then needing to sneeze on stage! Not something you should attempt.

I'd say that would fall under physically unable.

 

[Carl H.]

Playing with a harsh sneeze going on is almost impossible.

Try playing four bars and then needing to sneeze on stage! Not something you should attempt.

I'd say that would fall under physically unable.

Write it into the solo man! Channel Pete Barbutti doing Cute on his cigar.

 

[1saxman]

Write it into the solo man! Channel Pete Barbutti doing Cute on his cigar.

LOL! Good one.

A sneezing fit? Come on, man! They have medicine for that at the drugstore. Come to think of it. I don't remember ever sneezing when I was drinking, and I always drink when playing. Voila! Have a few doubles before the gig.

 

[skeller047]

The only time I was unable to make the gig, I fell through some rotten boards on our back porch, hit my chin on the railing, and bit through my lower lip. It was about 4 PM, and the gig was at 8.

Yes, I sued the landlord.

Made the gig the following week.

 

[mayho]

Thanks for the story. Like you, it takes a lot for me to miss a gig. Since I started in 1967 I can count the number I've missed through illness on two hands. The fact that I can remember most instances shows that they were unusual. But I've also always had a day gig, usually with generous sick leave provisions. So I would need a lot of hands to count the number of sick days I've had in the same time.

I played in the band at my own (first) wedding. And I played on the night my first born came home from hospital. My (second) ex-wife brought that up during our break up as one of the grudges she held and would never forgive.

Funny thing is I've only recently begun to say no to gigs. But I think it's a far different thing to say no when asked than to say yes and then let anyone down.

Yup, that will get you divorced! Mayho

 

[fredbart]

Wow...that jogged some memories....I also played the night of my wedding....we moved the reception 65 miles and continued it there...I also remember playing with bleeding tongues, abscesses, the first stages of food poisioning, etc. I only remember missing 2 gigs over the years and both times I was admitted to the hospital. One time was for a heart attack and the other was for heat exhaustion. I never thought much about it because I wouldn't have it any other way.
FRANK

 

[fredbart]

......A former band leader used to say he would never send me a pink slip because I would just show up anyhow...

 

[Carl H.]

Fred, you reminded me of the time I was touring in Canada with an orchestra. I was playing 3rd clarinet and Bass clarinet. I didn't play anything in the 2nd half of the concert and the 1st half ended with Pines of Rome. As I was told, I finished playing Pines and walked off stage with the others and just fell down. All I remember was waking up in a Canadian hospital feeling crappy. But I played the next night.

 

[cleger]

All I remember was waking up in a Canadian hospital feeling crappy. But I played the next night.

I guess we didn't kill you, yay for us!!

 

[Carl H.]

I guess we didn't kill you, yay for us!!

Charged $89 and sent "home" with 4 generic advil.

Pretty darned cheap for a visit, too bad they didn't have a clue what was wrong.

 

[vonbraig]

Played an audition 12 hours after having hernia surgery on my belly button........got the job.......