Well, that's one 'problem' I've never had-- having to worry about balancing a $100k day gig! with my music. And at this point I guess I never will. But I've had a lot of fun anyway....
Called back out of retirement ;)
"Just when you think you're out.....they pull you back in again". It's kind of funny, but the touring band I played with 15 years ago has needed a sub for their ailing horn player - they're still together after all these years. I have not played regularly for over 10 years. They called me for a few shows and next thing you know I'm doing some pretty big shows (for me that is). Opening for "Toots and the Maytals" 2 nights and "Huey Lewis and the News" for another. The News show is at the 5,000 seat Bank of America Pavilion in Boston. I'm having much more fun now than when I played for a living.
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JL -it has it's ups and downs - money is nice but there's a real price to pay in how much free time you get and being able to do what you really love. I'm not yet one of those people that gets paid well to do what I totally love - but I haven't given up
What retirement? You're way too young to quit gigging. Plus, you have an 'in', so you should have no trouble working all you want. But it's a fine line you walk with a major day gig to take care of. I retired from my 'engineering career' but never stopped playing gigs. Now, I'm more rested, my equipment is in better shape, I have the horns I want, and I have the best attitude I've ever had - I'm totally relaxed on stage. Plus, the biggie - for the first time in my life, I have accepted what I do as okay. Not perfect, so I'm still trying to better myself, but essentially I'm good with the way I sound. And there is no career pressure in music for me anymore - at 66, I don't expect I'll ever graduate from the regional act level, and I'm okay with that too.
So, Rob, things have changed in the last few years, haven't they? Ear monitors, wireless mic, fantastic on-stage sound with low stage volume, incredible front-of-house, and with more and more older musicians and groups playing to older crowds, a 'mature' player is not out of place as he would have been back in the day. Wrinkles, white hair (if any) just don't matter anymore - it's what you do, not what you look like. And this will be true as long as you can play, because the 'graying of America' is just getting under way. The other aspect is, there are no young players coming along behind us doing this same music. I became a teenager in 1958 and I was already playing sax. This means any classic song you've ever heard, I played when it was on the Top 40. Consequently, I learned how to play the styles of the sax era, along with thousands of other sax players. Players learning today hear smooth jazz, not King Curtis. So enjoy the rest of your playing life and don't retire anymore, because you are desperately needed! They are not making any more of us.
So, Rob, things have changed in the last few years, haven't they? Ear monitors, wireless mic, fantastic on-stage sound with low stage volume, incredible front-of-house, and with more and more older musicians and groups playing to older crowds, a 'mature' player is not out of place as he would have been back in the day. Wrinkles, white hair (if any) just don't matter anymore - it's what you do, not what you look like. And this will be true as long as you can play, because the 'graying of America' is just getting under way. The other aspect is, there are no young players coming along behind us doing this same music. I became a teenager in 1958 and I was already playing sax. This means any classic song you've ever heard, I played when it was on the Top 40. Consequently, I learned how to play the styles of the sax era, along with thousands of other sax players. Players learning today hear smooth jazz, not King Curtis. So enjoy the rest of your playing life and don't retire anymore, because you are desperately needed! They are not making any more of us.
Nice post 1sax. I have to agree - some time has passed since I started this thread and I've played about a dozen gigs - mostly high profile. It IS more fun now - the pressure to make a living from it is gone. I'm really enjoying myself.
Couldn't resist revisiting this ancient post as I am about to hang up my day gig and get back to playing and doing other non 9-5 things. Happy to say that I kept playing with the band these last 3 years and this June we are headed to Europe for a 2 week run. Finally ran out of gas for the incessant politics and BS I have been getting at the day gig and am right on the cusp of finishing negotiations on a very nice exit package. Here we go again...
Congrats rloyot on sticking with the band and getting your priorities straight! I guess I missed your response the first time around:
So yeah, I agree, and that's exactly why I never made anywhere close to 100 grand a year. I did ok, though, and have a house with the mortgage paid off, so I can afford to play gigs...JL -it has it's ups and downs - money is nice but there's a real price to pay in how much free time you get and being able to do what you really love.
Should there be a category for ... uh ... older players for threads like this?
Martin - you make a good point - do you think there is enough interest ?
It's an old joke, butI did ok, though, and have a house with the mortgage paid off, so I can afford to play gigs...
Q. How do you make a million dollars playing music?
A. Start with 2 million ...
ba-da-bump
Awesome Rylot!
Go Man!
Im right in there with ya.
Because of my accident and the need for really good insurance I have stuck to my day job too.
I am going to be 50 this year. I have enough creative insterests to pursue for a couple of lifetimes and I dont have loads of this one left. I dont so much mind the day job but I do sort of resent the amount of time it takes.
Id rather be working with players, making mouthpieces, and enjoying my time. Im not gonna get rich but it pays the bills.
It always pays to be smart but dont sell yourself short. It certainly doesnt sound like you have.
Enjoy and put more music into the world. Its hard to beat that.
Go Man!
Im right in there with ya.
Because of my accident and the need for really good insurance I have stuck to my day job too.
I am going to be 50 this year. I have enough creative insterests to pursue for a couple of lifetimes and I dont have loads of this one left. I dont so much mind the day job but I do sort of resent the amount of time it takes.
Id rather be working with players, making mouthpieces, and enjoying my time. Im not gonna get rich but it pays the bills.
It always pays to be smart but dont sell yourself short. It certainly doesnt sound like you have.
Enjoy and put more music into the world. Its hard to beat that.
Thanks for checking in. I'm signing up for retirement benefits info sessions and getting ever closer to the door. I'm looking forward to moving to a college town and getting into a fresh music scene. I've no interest in touring but I do love playing in jazz and classical ensembles with motivated musicians. I may get back into playing some loud blues/rock on electric guitar again too.Couldn't resist revisiting this ancient post as I am about to hang up my day gig and get back to playing and doing other non 9-5 things. Happy to say that I kept playing with the band these last 3 years and this June we are headed to Europe for a 2 week run. Finally ran out of gas for the incessant politics and BS I have been getting at the day gig and am right on the cusp of finishing negotiations on a very nice exit package. Here we go again...
Maybe us old timers still have some gas left in the tank - hmm maybe gas was a bad word choice
So here we are nearly a decade after I started this post and guess what? I am still in IT for my day gig (after a very brief hiatus) and STILL playing with Entrain as we head into year 29 of existence. Hope you are all well and ready to back out and play live music as soon as it is safe to do so.
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