Re: [Callers] Role Play

As callers, it's our responsibility to be aware of the gig we booked. We should be familiar with the level of the dancers, the style of the band, and what this particular community expects. It is the band's responsibility to provide good music for the dancers, so they also need to be aware (albeit perhaps to a lesser degree) of the level of the dancers, the ability of the caller, and what this particular community expects. To your first story about looping, the band should have been able to slow down the next time through the dance, even though it may be a pain to redo the looping. It would have affected the sound, so they could have let you know that they would only slow down if you thought it was extremely necessary. To your second story about the band using a metronome, that sounds like a band that isn't very good. They need to practice being more responsive to the dancers' ability. For your last story, if the band wants a certain mix, that is their right. Perhaps their style is for the guitar to be louder than the fiddle (maybe they think the fiddler isn't that good, but don't want to hurt his/her feelings). As a sound guy, you can do a sound check, then suggest modifications for the monitors or house. Ultimately, I think it should be up to the band to decide how they want to sound. In the future, I think the role of the caller will not be different, but as bands get more complicated, so will dealing with them. The band and caller should do their best to work well with each other to provide the best possible dance environment for the evening. -Ben Hornstein