In a post above, Bob B. referenced his marriage in comparison to how he deals with business matters, and I'd like to point out that being part of a musical group is very much like being in a marriage, in addition to being in a business relationship. I know of many instances where good business choices were sidelined because of the personal relationships within a group. When you travel, eat, perform, create, etc. together on a daily basis with two or three other people, the relationship becomes almost marital (sans the sex, of course). Sometimes you just go through the motions of liking each other (vis-a-vis The Everly Brothers) just to get through a show. Ideally you're really tight with your partners, as in a perfect marriage, and that's when things can really click. In my case, I really thought George, Bill, Paul, Bob Shane and I were very much in sync. Little did I know that I was being undermined by one (or more) of my partners and that divorce was in the wind. Was it a business decision, or was it Bill's agenda to work with Rick that precipitated my demise? On the surface I haven't seen much difference in the business of The Kingston Trio - things seem to be cruising along pretty much the same as when I was in the group, although they have lost access to Meri's booking skills. After nearly a year you'd think there would be some major effect on business if this was, in fact, a business decision. But, ultimately, it was Bob Shane's decision (even if he was, as I believe, manipulated into it by Bill) and he will be the one who will ultimately determine if it was good, bad or indifferent on a business level. I have my own thoughts on that, but only time will tell. For me, it has opened the door to lots of artistic freedom. I'm now at liberty to program a show with the music I like to perform. However, on a business level it's been difficult. I've been thrust into a whole different market and I'm competing with a zillion other artists for a piece of a very small pie. Gigs are very hard to come by, and I'm finding more and more solice in writing as a creative outlet. Whether or not any of my new material will be heard by anybody will depend on how I'm able to compete on a business level. At this point, it's art for art's sake, but at least I'm able to entertain myself, Meri and the neighborhood kids.
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