OK, this is tread from another thread.
As a result of a post I just made, I was thinking about what I had to do to get paid by criminal clients who didn't want to pay for a service honestly rendered. I say criminal, because when I provided a musical service and someone refuses to pay me the agreed upon fee, they have stolen from me - theft.
OK, I have been stiffed several times. One that comes to mind was when I played a blues recording session in December 2004. The manager of Chicago area blues act booked a trombone, tenor sax and me (trumpet, cornet and bass trumpet). We were in the stdio for several hours and we had to fake parts. Neither the manager or the act had bothered to write anything out. We should have been paid arranging fees, too! In any case we agreed to a very modest buyout fee, as this was a totally independant act. I was there on the recommendation of the tenor player (a buddy of mine). I had a bad feeling, but he vouched for the act and manager.
The manger had us all sign a "contract" agreeing to pay us within 9 meeks of the session date. I know, I know... I should have split the moment he said '9 weeks,' but, again, my buddy vouched for the guy. I played the session. I even attended the CD release party. Then the waiting began.
I finally did get paid - February - 2006!!!! Here's what I had to do.
I did call the manger several times. Each time I was met with a tale of personal woe - divorce, bills, rough life in general, CD sales not up to scratch, blah blah blah... I finally quit calling and resinged myself to the fact that I was stiffed.
I finally got ticked off when the tenor player told me that the guy stiffed him for TWO sessions! I went to the acts website and found the CD for sale, with my name on it, my name all over the web site, etc. So I emailed the manager with the following promise:
I was going to get a lawyer (my WIFE - an attorney with an agenda on my behalf!) and sue him and force him to destroy all CD's with my name on it, since he had not honored his end of the deal. I informed him that I could, under the circumstances afford the leagl fees and hassle. I then explained that the legal fees he would be facing would be FAR greater then the payment I was due. He accused me of being mean spirited and that all I had to do was ask (never mind the fact that I DID ask, several times, and he didn't pay). He then paid me. He even paid me $20 extra! Whoaaaa...
This should be the last time I get taken like this.
I was once stiffed by a well known Chicago area dance act for a wedding ceremony. Only legal threats got me some of the bread. That was a hassle as I had several guys booked on the gig. The troubles began with a disgruntled organist deliberately trying to sabotage the gig - showing up late, mis-cueing the brass, etc...
Another time I got stiffed on over time by a mononinc client who hired a ten piece brass group with percussion to play an equine event. He was standing on a hill over 300 meters away and was communicating to me via a walkie talke. He was ticked that the band didn't sound great where he was. Hell, the idiot was standing in a field 300 meters away! The CSO would have sounded a bit weird all the over there! He kept us there an hour later than contracted and then refused to pay me the OT. I had to pay the guys their due out of pocket.
The funniest time was at a mafia wise-guys birthday party. I had a ten piece dance band booked for this birthday party. I didn't realize the guest of honor was a local wiseguy until I got to the gig. It was, daunting. We finished the gig, and the party was a big success. Believe me, there was NO DOUBT what I was into when I started the gig. My band was bugging me about what the hell I had gotten them into. Many, Chicago city musicians, were very savy as to what was up. I was uptight. to put it mildly.
Here is a dialog of my trying to deal with potential overitme and close out the contract, get paid and get out! I will use the name Paul Vitti from the Billy Crystal movie, "Analyze This," instead of the actual name for two reasons; I can't remember the name off the top of my head and I don't want to get blown away!
Here it is:
Scenario: I am talking to the host who has motioned for several BIG scary guys to surrond me on the dance floor.
ND: "Well, we've covered our contracted time. The party is going strong! Would you be interested in keeping the band for another half-hour or so?"
Host: "You right! Da party's jumpin'! Mr. Vitti would like youse guys to play for anudder hour."
ND: "Great! I just want to remind you of the contracted OT rate of..."
Host: "I don't think you understood me. Mr VITTI would like youse to PLAY for anudder hour! Clear? We don't need no f-----g contract, do we?"
At this point the several big thugs close in around ND, menacingly.
ND: "Ummmm, yes! No problem! I understand! Mr VITTI would like us to play for another hour! Great!"
Now the big thugs give a sharp slap on the back of ND and skulk off chuckling.
I played the OT, collected the bread for the gig, cash of course and for the original three hours only. The ot was not on the check. I paid the OT out of my end, and was glad! Gig over!
OK, your turn! Got any payment horror stories?
Heh, heh!
Have fun.
Nick