Honor in the music business or any business?

It is sad in many businesses outside of the arts as well and the arts included as well have so many liars, so many people that do not follow through and so many people with a lack of honor, consideration and professionalism. It is even a little sadder that those who do not follow through, lie, skip out or make empty promises become the most defensive about it and then instead of righting wrongs or preventing those actions from happening again, they give excuses and reasons why they could do those things. In the arts or any other profession, you have to have the abilities but today with so many people out there going after the same jobs, the same tours, the same records, it takes not only ability but the professionalism and the honor for people to call you and continue to call on you again and again.   Your word, it is that simple This is not rocket science and should not even really need to be mentioned and yet honor is still an issue. False promises, outright lies, back stabbing and just all around not showing up is still a problem in the industry, but the industry is getting more and more fed up with it. While many superstar names have been troublesome in the past and put up with these days, with the economy, time restraints and other issues, more people are leading to work with and hire those that can play but also have the honor to show up, perform, follow through and deliver. Attitudes, egos and unprofessionalism are not tolerated as much as they used to be. So basically, when you give your word, follow through with it and honor it. This will lead to more work than you know.  Your actions When you are booked for a session, for a show, for anything, just be there and be there on time. If you are going to be late, then call. If there are things that are going to keep you from fulfilling your obligation or your promise then do everything you can in your power to remedy the situation with a replacement or some kind of fix.  I am always amazed at the way people just give up with no consideration of the person that has booked them or what ever the agreement or contract situation is. I for one and I speak here for many do not call back people that flake out, blow off or bail at the last minute. It is unprofessional, dishonorable and shows no respect. This also makes me as the producer look bad to the artist or the client I am working with. I don’t care how good some one is, when they show a lack of respect or consideration for me, the artist and the promise they have made, then I am done with that person.  Things happen.  Now I am not saying things don’t happen that you cant control. Car problems occur, accidents, emergencies and a long list of other reasons that can prevent anyone from being able to follow through. When it comes to professionalism, honor and respect it really isn’t as much about how you act and react when every thing is perfect, it is about how you act, react and for that matter problem solve when the problems occur.  Watching someone at their best is a wonderful thing. When everything is working the right way, all the surrounding situations, people, tasks or whatever are all in harmony can absolutely allow for the best work to be done but still, how does the person that can handle the calm seas react to the tidal waves and the shaky waters of problems. In my opinion, that is the true sign of some one as far as their playing, professionalism, honor and respect are displayed.  When anything or everything goes wrong, how do you problem solve and what kind of effort do you put in to it? If you get in a car accident and you are ok but stuck waiting for a tow truck, are you the type to call and say you cant make it, you were in an accident and that’s that? Or are you the type who is either trying to find another way to get to the session or making calls to the studio or producer asking if they can call anyone else while you, yourself are working to find a way to get that session covered? There are a tons of other scenarios where something goes wrong and things will go wrong, but there are fewer that will work to make it right or do the best they can to resolve.  Your follow through It comes down to the follow through and maybe a solution will not be reached every time but if something has to change or a commitment has to be broken, I know that the person I hired did everything they could possible to make it right. That is honor, that is professionalism and that is follow through.  Regardless of the booking, the gig, the contract, the promise…as long as you do what you say you are gong to do or make every effort to resolve, problem solve or replace yourself with another who can follow through, then you truly are a professional with honor in every sense of the word. You should want to have a reputation where your playing matches your professionalism and honor in a business that is already hard enough to break in to as well as an economy that is still more challenging than ever.  Be the person that follows through on commitments, takes care of business and can be counted on when things are going right and even more so when things go wrong. It can make all the difference in the world.  2009-09-28T21:02:07Z