Welcome to the Machine...

Even for big acts it's not unusual to have two versions of the band, one for recording and another for touring. Tell the recalcitrant members that you intend to do the gig with or without their participation, that you respect their reservations and they're still in the band - but you'll be hiring replacements for the tour. They'll react one of two ways: they'll either accept that arrangement or quit the band. Either way, you follow your dream without sh*tting on your friends.
 
P.S. Be very dubious about your new celebrity friend. Hold him to the same standards you would any other stranger who says he can do great things for you. Remember the Missouri state motto.

Bit has the right of it.

I don't really have any advice for you, but I feel for your situation - it's exactly why my band split. We were offered a 5-6 week support slot on a tour, mostly in France and four of the five of us were prepared to chuck our jobs if the extended leave couldn't be negotiated with our respective employers. The guitarist was the fly in the ointment which was particularly annoying as he was self employed so could have easily picked up where he left off if we came back with nothing but a bit of good/bad experience. Even worse all of his "self-employed" work came from the same guy, who was not only a good friend of his, but our No.1 fan. He owned the building where we rehearsed and wouldn't even take money for rent or power because he wanted us to give us all the help he could to try and take it to the next level. No way would he have had a problem with it and he even told him so when he became aware of the situation. He had a mortgage and such, but so did I and the drummer. The pay would have been much the same as we earned anyway (actually more in my case) so the only real risk was how long it would take to get a job again when we came back if that was required. He was the only one who didn't have that problem, but the only one that wouldn't go. Go figure ? Cold feet or under the thumb from Mrs Guitarist ? Who knows ? My money was on the Mrs. Replacement wasn't an option as there wasn't time and he also owned a lot of the stage gear which he said we couldn't use when a stand-in was suggested. Even more galling for me was that the final band meeting where we tried one last time to persuade him, failed and so decided that there was no point in continuing if we weren't going to take the opportunities that came our way was the day I made the final monthly payment of 18 on the keyboard that I couldn't really afford and it was finally mine.  Great ! Nice keyboard - no band !
 
From my experience, it's hard to see that things will be the same between you later on if they don't come on board. Hope you find some kind of resolution. Good Luck !

bitflipper
Even for big acts it's not unusual to have two versions of the band, one for recording and another for touring. Tell the recalcitrant members that you intend to do the gig with or without their participation, that you respect their reservations and they're still in the band - but you'll be hiring replacements for the tour. They'll react one of two ways: they'll either accept that arrangement or quit the band. Either way, you follow your dream without sh*tting on your friends.
 
P.S. Be very dubious about your new celebrity friend. Hold him to the same standards you would any other stranger who says he can do great things for you. Remember the Missouri state motto.

This is the answer. I've been where you are and Bits response nails it.
 
Randy

Dealing with COLD FEET
 
Socks...........I thought this was the CH. 

+1 to Bit's advice.
 
Trust no agent. One tank of gas is OK but there better be regular checks according to your final agreement and they better not bounce. Oh the stories I and just about any one who has every booked with an agent could tell.
 
Don't trust them as far as you can throw them.... understand that but don't let them know. Just be business smart and do your proper due diligence on everything. Cut it off quick if you're finding yourself digging into your own pockets to live.
 
A dream is only a dream until it turns into a nightmare.  Then it's time to wake up.
 
I sincerely hope it goes well for you.

Yeah, Bit's advice is where we were leaning.
 
As far as the rest of it - this band ONLY operates with contracts, and we'll be retaining a music attorney.  We have a bank account and even filed taxes for the first time this year (and got a nice return!)  

If everything checks out we'll obviously do it.


I'll check back in when I have more of a concrete idea of what's going on! :)  Thank you all SO much!
 

Just to let everyone know, we're on board with working with this person and it appears as though everyone is on board.  I'm still going to have a "come to Jesus" moment with everyone and have them think about it and then SWEAR they'll be on when the time comes to say yes - or allow us to make other arrangements.
 
Thanks to everyone for your advice!!

Scott