Dear Abby: My bandmate is an awful singer. How do I get him away from the mic?

DEAR ABBY: I was recently invited for a long weekend at my friend’s new home in South Carolina.She has wanted me to come there to visit ever since she purchased it.I offered to come down, but then I sprained my ankle, and it still has not healed. My friend then told me her daughter and son-in-law will be there with their two young children.

She said we can babysit her grandchildren while I’m there when her daughter and son-in-law go out.I told her I don’t want to go down there to babysit.I have no children and do not enjoy babysitting.She used to do this to me before she moved.

Now she’s upset that I won’t help her.What should I do? — NOT INTERESTED IN THE SOUTHDEAR NOT INTERESTED: What you do is this: Repeat to your manipulative friend that your ankle is still healing, it is difficult to get around and you are unable to chase after young children.Tell her that when you are better you would love to see her place and visit one on one.

Then stick to your guns.DEAR ABBY: I am a male singer and guitarist who has been playing in small local venues most of my life.My new duo partner is a nice person and decent multi-instrumentalist.The problem is that he cannot — and should not — sing, though he believes he is a fine vocalist. His new girlfriend recently confided to me that she feels he shouldn’t sing because it is damaging to our joint reputation and to my own as a musician.

She doesn’t know how to tell him or whether she should.I don’t know how to tell him either without risking our partnership, although at this point, any gigs we acquire will be one-offs because of the poor vocal performance that will result. Over the years, I have failed auditions and learned from constructive criticism.Should I tell him or try to dissolve our duo gently? — OLD CANADIAN ROCKERDEAR ROCKER: Your relationship with this partner isn’t social; it is business.

He is in denial about his limited abilities.Bursting his bubble by enlightening him that his singin...