"How the hell does a nice, respectable guy get back into the hobby"

Musicians are not nice normal people -
Thats number one - LOLOL.. kidding

Dallas is a scary place for ladies to live and work - So understand their safety

You are lucky thats all they are asking for -

Preferred411 and roomservice2000 and date-check. com will verify you through other means -

1. The verification services have other ways to verify you than through a fixed employer.. you just have to ask.

2. Be as up front with a prospective provider as you can.  Tell them you have no recent references, and make it clear you're willing to go through any screening they'd require.  That may involve dinner/drink dates at lower rates, but if that's what you have to do to start getting references, you do what you gotta do.

Re: First of all Welcome Back..

There are ALOT of providers that see "newbies" and we know your not a true newbie but your getting back in the game again with no references, but there are so many wonderful girls out there that do what they do to see a new gent. another great way is to get pre-screened by Date-Check  it's a great service, and even though it's not my practice to see new gentlemen, if they go thru Date-Check or Perferred411 then i know they made an effort and i get the "all clear" so to speak to open my doors to them..
Good Luck, and Welcome Back, i'm sure you've been missed!
Jay

If you play locally let the provider know where you play and your scedule. Give her your name and e-mail a pic then let her have the opportunity to greet you in public if she wishes. Be aware of this situation and don't make it obvious in public. You can be prepared with a note and phone number to hand her.

I love Jazz and this has worked in my favor once.

Now LE can be and are muscians as well

Kisses Haley

Sometimes an agency will have less rigorous screening requirements.  Once you have seen an agency girl, they will sometimes vouch for you.

I feel your pain.  I recently got back in the game and been out for almost the same period of time.  The best thing I found to do is if you had some ATFs you saw regularly in the past go back to see them to get a foundation for references.  The other thing is like others have mentioned be up front with the ladies and let them know the situation.  In my case that's how I got back in the game.  Hope that helps.

Ive seen about 20 or so providers. I only started posting reviews after getting ripped off. TER has been a great screening tool for me and I feel obligated to participate. I digress. Of those only 2 asked for references after a brief conversation. Providers are not stupid by any means. Most of them that I have met enjoy what they do and make damn good money at it. Believe me they want to see you and will go out of thier way to help you if you are genuine.

Invite them to see you perform for free (most chicks I know would dig that anyway). That doesnt mean you will get to see them perform for free but you never know. Its worth a shot.

Can you keep a beat??

You must not be a very good musician...every half a$$ decent drummer I've ever know doesn't need to pay for the goods!  

As Eddie Murphy once said, "Musicians get all the pussy...'cause Mick Jagger is an ugly mo'fo'"

I'm kidding of course!  

Just getting into things myself.  Good luck and post your review.