Re: Need pointers for leading a new Old Time Stringband
Well, I've been in probably a half-dozen bands, and the only one that had a member who wanted to be "leader" (Twelve Corners Klezmer Band) was by far the least happy and the one I stayed in the shortest time. (In all honesty, the "leader" kicked me out, because I frequently questioned his decisions -- which were, often, dumb -- and because I insisted that all band members should have a voice.)
I have been the coordinator and organizer of several bands, and because I have the aptitude and skill for it, have often acted as "front man" in performance; I'm surely not the best musician, but I'm often the best MC. In a good band, one that works together for a while, members end up fitting into proper roles: front man, music arranger, lead musician, job-getter, PA-setup-takedown person, etc. What makes it work is that the band insists that all significant decisions are reviewed and approved by all members; one member doesn't get to commit the others before they've reviewed and consented. In one of my groups, I make all, or almost all, the contacts with sponsors, handle the money, and pay the other members -- up to the point of issuing them 1099's every year.
Not quite sure what you're worried about: that another band member will "'speak for' and represent the band" improperly, unprofessionally -- commit the group to something you don't want it to do? You can be the person who prints the business cards with your contact info, lists the group in directories with your address/phone, issues publicity material with your name on it. What will be hard to do, is to prevent other band members from saying "Yeah, I play in the Rabid Possums -- we do old-time music, and gee, it would be great to play at your coffeehouse/barn dance/kibbutz/laundromat/whatever." What you probably want him/her to say afterwards is, "You should contact Stringalong; he handles our bookings."
If your band works and interacts well, that'll happen. But trying to strictly control your members' interactions, is going to lead to friction. At least, that's been my experience.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
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