In response to my recent gig story Bugs Bunny is my Mortal Enemy, bassist Don Mincher sent me this tale about a painful gig experience:

Your Bugs story and related “intestinal problems” conjured up one of my bad scene gigs many years ago. I was to play a casual combo gig on bass guitar no less, on a Sat. night. However, I decided to do some yard work that morning. I cut some grass, and then went to the electric hedge clippers. You know what’s coming next, right? I “nicked” the tip of my left index finger!!!! After a quick trip to the hospital for four stitches and a bandage (looked like I was wearing a white corn dog), I had about three hours to go before leaving for the gig. I made the gig and played with three fingers. Had the gig been an orchestral performance, I doubt I could have done it. Due to the wonders of modern medicine, (including some great pain killers), the gig was completed. I really don’t think very many people even noticed my ‘situation.’

Ouch! I’ve certainly never had anything like that happen. One of my recurring nightmares is doing that sort of thing to my hand (or getting it chopped up in the garbage disposal, scalded on the stove, etc.)–I’m not sure how my three finger bass technique would have turned out.

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