© 2009 Vinny Ribas
Keeping the band together can be an unbelievably difficult task for many reasons. One reason is that you’re dealing with multiple creative personalities who all want an outlet for their own creative expression. Another reason is that many musicians have egos and want to be the ‘star’, but there is often no room for more than one or 2 in the group. But rather than focus on all of the things that can go wrong, here is a list of things that, when practiced, will prevent the majority of the common band-busters from ever infiltrating your act.
- The band members are friends as well as business partners.
- The band members respect each other’s talent. They encourage each other to shine without worrying about [private_member]it taking the spotlight from themselves.
- The musicians know their roles and do not try to overstep their bounds.
- The musicians accept and respect the person chosen as band’s leader.
- The band follows the direction of the manager, and also shows respect for the rest of the management team.
- Everyone’s goal is to improve the band’s sound, image, notoriety etc. There is no room for egos. It is a team effort.
- Everyone pitches in on the non-music-related tasks, such as marketing, radio interviews etc.
- Everyone not only accepts, but also asks for constructive criticism from the rest of the group.
- The band members respect each other’s privacy.
- The band is aware that each member has a need for personal musical expression, and thus does its best to provide outlets within the music for that expression.
- The band agrees on the overall musical direction that the act is taking.
- The band members honor each other’s religious and political beliefs, and do not let them become a cause for disruption or division.
- The band agrees that only the VERY BEST songs will be recorded or performed live, regardless of who wrote or didn’t write them.
- Every member does his or part in conforming to and supporting the act’s overall image and brand both on and off stage.
- Band members are there for each other. They help each other out in crisis, and celebrate together when one or more has a victory. They cover for each other when one is sick or uncontrollably absent.
- The band members do not let personal relationships affect their dedication and responsibility to the act.
- The band members agree to disagree, never letting differences of opinions or personal preferences separate them. Instead, they constantly seek compromises. However, the two things they will not compromise on are the sound of the band and the band’s live performance.
- The band members know their own strengths and weaknesses, and let others pick up in areas in which someone else is stronger. However, weakness is never accepted as an excuse for not doing something that, with practice, could be done satisfactorily.
- Every band member brings 100% to every show, rehearsal, recording session, songwriting session etc.
- Every member is constantly practicing and/or studying to improve him or herself.
- The band members never do anything to put the band or any of the other members at risk physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, legally or otherwise. [/private_member]
