I thought this article was interesting and insightful. It was written by Emma-O, Feb 19, 2008 at http://www.musicouch.com

Here it is:

Playing in a band can be a lot fun, very exciting, and if you're lucky, it can be financially rewarding too. But, before you can hit the stage, you

need to find the right band members. In this article, a seasoned rock musician shares some insight into what kind of personality types will either make or break your band.

Finding musicians to share your musical dreams with is not as simple as it seems. Getting three to five people together who share similar goals and have the right combination of personalities and attitudes can be half the battle when trying to form a successful band. Many aspiring musicians become frustrated and discouraged by the lack of chemistry or connection they experience when playing with other musicians, and as a result, give up on trying to get anywhere in music. This article aims to help the struggling musician differentiate between the kind of band mate who will help propel the group forward, and who will drag them down. Learn to look for the right or wrong personality traits before you waste time on band members you don't need or want.

The Five Best Personality Traits for Band Members

1. The Leader

Every band needs a leader, someone to take the reins and steer the band in a positive direction. A true leader takes the initiative and makes things happen without stepping on the toes of the other band members, or anyone else for that matter. They respect their band mates, view them as equals, and include them on all decisions to be made concerning the band. They welcome input, criticism and suggestions openly, but also know how to agree to disagree. They are always willing to compromise. A true leader is someone the rest of the band can look up to. They represent the band and therefore always put their best foot forward. They don't try to stifle or undermine the talents of the other band members, because they understand that each member is an essential part of the whole unit. The keyword of the Leader is INSPIRATION.

2. The Team Player

The Team Player wants to see the group succeed. They aren't just out for themselves, to stroke their own ego or feed off the band's successes. They stick with their band mates through thick and thin. They see the band members as their best friends and family. Steadfast, loyal and dedicated, they are willing to work hard, contribute what they can, and always give 110 per cent. They never take the group for granted, and are always willing to step up to the plate and do whatever they can to ensure the band's success. The keyword of the Team Player is DEDICATION.

3. The Social Butterfly

Face it, the music industry is a people-oriented business. If everyone in the band is a wallflower who stays home every Friday night, chances are the band won't get anywhere. Fans, promoters and label reps aren't going to come looking for you, you have to go to them. The Social Butterfly gets out there and mingles. Give them a stack of business cards or flyers and send them to a function and chances are they'll hand them all out by the end of the night. The Social Butterfly is a valuable member of the team. They will get the fans, gigs, and contacts every band needs. Super-friendly and outgoing, they rarely forget a name or face, and others won't likely forget theirs either. They tell anyone and everyone about their band, including strangers on the street. The Social Butterfly is a wonderful asset to any band. The keyword of the Social Butterfly is NETWORKING.

4. The Cheerleader

The Cheerleader may not contribute to the band's songwriting, but what they do contribute is enthusiasm, support, friendship, motivation and ambition. They have a hopeful attitude about the band's future and believe that they will succeed. Always the eternal optimist, the Cheerleader refuses to let the band doubt themselves. Not only do they have a positive outlook on the band's future, but they are realistic as well. They understand that not everything works out all the time, but refuse to let disappointment cloud their optimism. Usually the Cheerleader is the most energetic member on stage, bouncing around and revving up the crowd. The keyword of the Cheerleader is MOTIVATION.

5. The Professional

The Professional takes band business very seriously. They treat it like a job, which may translate into them being a bit too serious or stiff. But you never have to worry about them being late or skipping rehearsal, or going on stage drunk or stoned. They are usually seasoned players with many years of experience under their belt. The Professional has a mature attitude and treats all contacts with respect. They know when to act like a wild rocker and when to act like a businessman or businesswoman. They are an asset because you never have to baby-sit them, hold their hand or be their teacher. The keyword of the Professional is RELIABILITY.

The Five Worst Personality Traits for Band Members

1. The Control Freak

The Control Freak assumes the band is "their" band and behaves accordingly. They assume the role of the Leader, but without the positive leadership traits. A typical Control Freak insists that things must be done their way, as their way is the right way. They usually don't welcome artistic input from the other band members, unless it directly benefits them in some way, because they are of the opinion they can do everything themselves, and only they can do it right. They don't tolerate differing opinions very well, and compromising is something they have difficulty with. The Control Freak sets up an atmosphere of restricted artistic freedom, which is a recipe for disaster. Most musicians become musicians because they want to express themselves artistically. If they aren't allowed that freedom, they don't tend to stick around for very long. So the Control Freak finds themselves in a revolving door of ever-changing band members. Each time this happens the band goes nowhere. So unless they want to stay stuck in one place like a broken record, musicians need to stay clear of the Control Freak's domineering ways. The Control Freak's keyword is EGOTISM.

2. The Dictator

Kissing cousin to the Control Freak, the Dictator tells the other band members what to do, what they should or shouldn't say on stage, how they should look, et cetera. Usually the lead singer takes on this role. They dictate all actions that the band should follow and don't typically consult the other members on band decisions. Like the Control Freak, their way is the only way. They have no problem dishing out negative criticism, but have trouble taking it. Underneath their domineering personality is a small, insecure person desperately wanting to feel powerful and in control. If you don't mind being belittled or undermined, you'll have no problem working with the Dictator. However, musicians with self-respect will heed this warning and stay far away. The keyword of the Dictator is INSECURITY.

3. The Pessimist

The Pessimist has every reason in the world why the band won't succeed. They'll say they're too old, don't have the right look, don't have the right sound, don't know the right people. Some of that could very well be true in any band, but the Pessimist refuses to change what they perceive to be wrong. No band is perfect, but the Pessimist can't understand that and refuses to believe in themselves or the band. They can't accept and appreciate what they have. Their negative attitude, dreary outlook and resistance to growth devalues the other member's efforts and will drag any band down in the dumps. The keyword of the Pessimist is DOUBT.

4. The Hanger-On

Without dreams and goals of their own, the Hanger-On hopes to achieve success through the efforts of others. They may be supportive and enthusiastic, but only because they know that if they want a piece of the pie they have to play the game right. Selfish and somewhat egotistical, the Hanger-On just wants fame, fortune, money and girls. They aren't really in it for the love of music, but for the perks, which they hope to get through no effort of their own. They may be songwriters but rarely contribute material to the band, preferring to save it for themselves or their own projects. Beware the Hanger-On, because when the band starts making money, they'll be the first in line to collect, palm out. But you won't want to pay someone who only contributed a fraction of what the other members contributed. If they are paid the same amount as everyone else, for doing less work, watch out for the exploding fireworks. Besides this obvious dilemma, the Hanger-On can be emotionally draining too, as most self-centred people are. The keyword for the Hanger-On is SELFISHNESS.

5. The Slacker

The Slacker is your typical unreliable musician-showing up late for gigs and rehearsals, cancelling practices for dumb reasons, not putting in a solid effort in anything they do. They'll show up for a gig wearing clothes that scream "laundry day". They are typically quite slothful, don't keep their chops up and won't work very hard for the band. Another soul-sucking personality, the Slacker will drain the band's energies and resources. Kick this lazy bum to the curb before their ineptitude rubs off and drags the rest of the band down with them. The Slacker's keyword is APATHY.

Though no band or band member is perfect, it is always beneficial to be able to spot a positive or negative personality type as early in the game as possible. Writing songs, getting tight and putting together a killer show takes a lot of time and hard work, and you don't want someone in the band who isn't going to give as much as everyone else, delay the process longer than necessary or hold you back from achieving your dreams. It is always a team effort. You may find that most people have a combination of any of the above-listed positive and negative traits, but you should always consider what personality trait is dominant, and how the band member manages their faults. That often speaks louder than the positive face they put forward.