My Musical Journey pt. 4

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The fourth chapter in my musical journey (thanks @JamesHxstatic for the idea!) The fourth chapter of my musical saga began when I joined my first band.  After about 6 months of taking bass lessons, he gave me the phone number of one of his students who wanted to start a band and needed a bass player.  It took me a long time to think about if I wanted to name said bands and projects or no.  I decided on no because sometimes my inclusion didn't end well, and while I want to write my story I have no desire to smear anyone's name. The first band I joined at the suggestion of my guitar instructor was a classic rock cover group.  They were mostly quasi-retired professionals and me - a guitar student.  But for many years we got along well.  I was in the group from 2007-2010.  For the first 2 years we didn't play out.  We didn't have a drummer, so we just practiced together.  But I learned a lot.  Finally we did get a drummer - and started playing out.  We played out once - finally having our issues sorted out with the sound equipment.  Then we were asked to chip in for all new equipment with the understanding that the equipment would belong to the band's founders.   I didn't like the idea.  We didn't play often (maybe 4 times a year) - and we had finally gotten the existing equipment to work well.  I protested on those grounds.  That didn't go over well,  apparently I wasn't allowed to have an opinion.  I left.   Coincidently my guitar instructor promptly unfriended me - thus ending my taking lessons with him. After I left group 1 - I auditioned for a "Beatles" tribute.  Didn't get that one.  The vocalist liked me, however the rhythm guitar did not. I joined an originals all girl rock group in 2012.  This was limited to a few months of rehearsals.  I left on good terms - when I realized that their goals were to become world famous.  I simply realized how hard that would be. In 2012 or 13 I joined a project in town run by a husband and wife.  Classic rock covers.  I sort of wondered why people had a smirk on their face when I told them who I was playing with.  I figured it out shortly.  After the choose me - they got rid of a guitar player and were working on getting rid of the drummer.  (both of which had played fine and seemed friendly)  After playing with them 3 times I was on the "out" list, too.  But that was short lived.  After a month or so they contacted me again.  They were sorry and would like me to come back.  They promised that I wouldn't be fired again.  I played with them until Dec. of 2014.  Probably the longest anyone had.  During the time I played with them they had gotten rid of 5 guitar players, and 7 drummers.  Finally they let me go again.  Of course a few months later they hinted at seeing if I could come play with them some more.  No.  I remain on friendly terms though.  In 2014 I auditioned for another classic rock group and got it, but my involvement was limited to the first audition.  The founder was getting married, but after his marriage he never got in touch with me again.  I have no idea what happened to that project.  But that was alright because .... in 2016 I played fill in for a new country covers band.  State of the art equipment.  2 amazingly talented vocalists.  At first I was only needed for fill in, which was fine with me.  Some changes were made and I was brought on full time.  It was fun, but it wasn't long until I noticed communication within the band really bit!  I couldn't get simple answers about where and when rehearsal was and where and when even gigs finally were.  One of the "main guys", a vocalist- left for another band.  He really had been holding the whole thing together  because when he left the whole thing fell apart.  People started leaving left and right.  I stuck it out.  I found out in the meantime that a "friend" of mine (also a bassist) had been trying to get my spot and that my drummer had been bad mouthing me trying to get a friend of his in my spot. In 2016 I got on stage with my friend's band and played a song.  I use the term "friend" loosely.  This is the person who I found out was after my gig.  For one of the first times, I struggled with the rhythm.  That almost never happens to me.  That was Sept. 2016.  I haven't really seriously practiced or played since.