DJ Leon Lamont

Recently, a musician friend called me distraught about being offered another friend’s gig.  When I asked him the circumstances of the occurrence, he basically said that he was filling in on the gig to “help” his friend cover up his drug habit.  As a result of “helping” my friend was recognized as a better player and more reliable and thus offered his friend’s gig.  To make for less confusing reading we’ll call my friend “String” and call his friend “Pick”.  String sorrowfully moaned, “On the one hand I really need the money, but on the other I don’t want to feel like I’m stealing Pick’s gig.  I was just trying to help.  I really didn’t see this coming.”  Thus is the burden of being good at what you do, coupled with acting like a professional. 
String asked me if I’ve ever had his problem and asked my advice on what he should do.  I told String, “Ultimately the final decision is yours, but I will confess to never having felt bad taking a drug addict’s gig.  If you let your partying aff…