I got a gig with a guy one time who had somehow cultivated a reputation for being this hyper-conceited, opinionated jerk. It seemed like nobody liked the guy. But I was fresh home from Nashville, gig-less, depressed beyond words, and I needed desperately to play again. It was only a couple hours' commute, so I figured; what the heck, worst that'll happen is I'll get fired. I took a swing, and surprisingly got the gig. Funny the things you remember, but wish you didn't. I had just had my wisdom teeth cut out at that seat-of-the-pants audition. Practically drooling blood. Long story shortened, he was one of the most honest, upfront dudes I ever worked for. Told me straight away, at the first rehearsal it was going to be a short-term gig, and under no circumstances should I make any big plans or life changes because of it, that he was just trying to put together a competent band to finish out a schedule before he could take up another opportunity/obligation. That he would appreciate it if I kept that information quiet. Maybe a dozen festivals later, we parted company on good terms. That was 1998. To this very day, every time I run into that guy, (which isn't too often) he calls me by my first name, like we've been buds forever.
*If there was a point to this ramble, it's this - sometimes people just get judged unfairly. Maybe that guy is the biggest creep in the biz. Not to me, he wasn't. And I didn't see him treat anybody else badly either.
