Geezers Just Wont Quit

[plankspanker13]

Originally Posted by Biggbass

The first thing to "tarnish" is your tolerance to put up with BS: like musicians who don't do their homework and learn the material,or have musical challenges that make them the weak link of the band, and then there's the venue owners who are jerks. The older you get the more you avoid them like an STD.

THIS x 1,000,000

The first thing to diminish is the capacity to suffer fools well.

[noodles2267]

the older i get the better i play ,my gear is old and it sounds great!!!!!!

[Stewie26]

I just turned 60 though most people take me for being much younger. I did go out and buy some of the Neo light weight cabs in the last 12 months or so. But I think I would have done the same if I was 30. I am playing at a better level than I ever have played cause I have more time to practice and to devote to music. The guys I play with are in the 40 to 65 bracket, but age does not seem to make much difference in the music world once you get past 40. Some may even argue at 30. Record companies think more like 25.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by craig.p

There it is. That's exactly what changes -- how discriminating you are regarding who you'll work with and what stages you'll set foot on.

I just found out (at 61) about P&W music. What an eye-opener. Everyone's serious. No one noodles. Everyone tries hard. Everyone's nice (shocker). No one drinks. Everyone's more or less on time. Every rehearsal minute is used productively. I could seriously see myself tossing overboard all other genres I play today and focusing exclusively on this one, just because the human foundation seems so solid, and it's so easy to sleep at night.

Most guys I know that play in bar bands also play on Sundays in P& W bands, its very popular and they love the experience.


Blue

[Demonjrx]

Age affects talent?? WHAT?? HOW COME I NEVER HEARD THIS??
Being a diehard metalhead. I can say without a doubt many metal bands are at their prime now.
Iron Maiden - These old farts finally got a number 1 album after 30 or so years.
Megadeth - Endgame and Th1rt3en are some of Megadeth's best work.
Motorhead - The only band that has consistently gotten heavier over the years.
Exodus - These guys are definitely an acquired taste. Regardless Exhibit A and Exhibit B are some of the best metal albums of the last decade.

Need I go on any more?

[Stewie26]

Originally Posted by plankspanker13

THIS x 1,000,000

The first thing to diminish is the capacity to suffer fools well.

Yeah, some younger persons may say that makes us "Crouchy old men" when you have little patience to put up with other people's BS.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by deepBassie

For all you old farts out there that are still workin' it.

What's the deal? Some people (not pointing out anyone in particular, Blue ) hint that age effects the ability to write and/or perform music. Do any of you experienced, matured TB'ers find this to be true? If so, what was the first thing to tarnish and how old were you when you realized it?

I'm 53 and just hitting my stride.

Then again, I don't have years and years of being forced to sing when my voice is tired, sleeping in a different roach hotel every night, losing sleep, too much booze/drugs/sex, music industry douchebaggery, broken marriages, bankruptcy, etc. That stuff will make you old quick.

Now, I'm too smart for that nonsense. So maybe within the 15-20 productive years I have left, I can at least enjoy being a weekend warrior and the ocassional regional tour, and help younger artists write, record, perform, and avoid the mistakes outlined above.

I can still schlep gear with guys half my age too. I do around 25 solo DJ gigs a year, upscale stuff like weddings and corporate events, and I roadie in and out the equivalent of a full PA with subs and a light show. Alone. In addition to being on my feet and leading line dances for 5-6 hours.

Take care of your bodies and minds, young'uns, and you can enjoy being an entertainer for a good long time.

[Kenner]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I'm entering the range where many folks are younger...

That being said... my gear is better.. I know more people... sing better.. and can sell.

Name a kid that can do all the above.

----

That being said... I like to back young folks who will listen.

...bingo! Well put, Timmy... and I'm in the same boat with ya....

[MusicEd]

What was the question?

[MNAirHead]

I will have something that tarnishes.......


I'm gigging so much I don't have time to learn every current tune --- with pandora and 25000 songs on my iPod I've not gotten around to learning the latest Bruno Mars

[fdeck]

Old age and treachery can overcome youth and skill.

-- Ancient Greek proverb

[mellowinman]

I'm a stone's throw from fifty, and I will totally kick your ass.

I don't even need a REASON!!!!

[Big Brother]

Originally Posted by deepBassie

For all you old farts out there that are still workin' it.

What's the deal? Some people (not pointing out anyone in particular, Blue ) hint that age effects the ability to write and/or perform music. Do any of you experienced, matured TB'ers find this to be true? If so, what was the first thing to tarnish and how old were you when you realized it?

You don't worry about this sad, bleak future that is life after 20, nothing beats the old age blues like a timely bowel movement or getting the good chair for your TV programs.

Chin up mate! Lots of good times ahead for you too!

[JPaulGeddy]

Billy Sheehan turns 60 in March. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[Factor88]

Originally Posted by Biggbass

The first thing to "tarnish" is your tolerance to put up with BS: like musicians who don't do their homework and learn the material,or have musical challenges that make them the weak link of the band, and then there's the venue owners who are jerks. The older you get the more you avoid them like an STD.

Probably so with most, but at least for me, no. I've become much more tolerant and patient, willing to analyze the pros and cons of a band situation and decide that if the pros outweigh the cons, to just keep at it and not let the cons bother me. In other words, when I was young I had idealistic ideas of the "perfect" band situation and jumped from band to band trying to find it. Now approaching 50 and have been in the same band for over 10 years....and it is unquestionably the worst I have been in since high school garage band days. Yet I deal with it, because the positives outweigh the negatives..........

[giacomini]

When I hear people saying that first people I think are Rubinstein and Horowitz, still concert pianists up to their 80-90's...

[Zoomie]

Hmmmmm......

When I was younger

I bought a 140 lb cab and shlepped it around because everyone said it was the best cab to have and without it, I wouldn't be taken seriously.

Now ?

I found a cab that weighs 60 pounds, is far louder, better tone, with more clarity, that is not necessarily a popular choice.

When I was younger

I would always say, "I found this song from an obsure pigmy psychobilly band. We have got to play this. I LOVE THIS song. It kicks ass. We will kill it !

Now?

What is the venue? What is the demographic and feel of the gig? What does the crowd want to hear ? What will get people wagging their butts and force the venue to invite us back ?

When I was younger

The venue owner should have told us that half their regulars are big country fans. No one is dancing. Everyone is ignoring the band. This gig is horrible. I am NEVER coming back here.

Now?

Wow guys. This isnt working. Scratch the rest of the set and lets break out the Headhunters and Steve Earle to see if cant get some boots moving and some Cowboy hats bobbing.

When I was younger

I need to learn this song on bass because that is a screamin' passage and not many local bassists can play it. I also need more fast fills to make the band sound larger than life.

Now?

Wow. My favorite notes are not even notes. I try to flavor with stops and chokes. Passages of space and silence to accent the preceding note or the following note make the song much more powerful.

When I was younger?

Check out the blond with the 12 space rack !

Now?

That is WAY too much car for me. Besides, my wife of 18 years has stuck with me through thick and thin, starved when I starved to help buy gear. Put me back together so many times that I can't count. There is an A hole in the relationship and it ain't her ! Next weekend is free. I need to take her out of town.

When I was younger

I can't play at lower volumes. I have to FEEL what I am playing. My hearing is fine.

Now?

The mix and stage volume was killer once I killed some lows and TURNED DOWN a bit. And I can hear every single note, even with my hearing protection in. Wow, we sound tight !

When I was younger ?

I have got to play this 3000.00 bass, amp, cab, etc because so and so plays one and that's the only way I can get that tone.

Now?

Yes I have some nice basses. Still, I can't believe the neck on this MIM. And listen to the tone that I am getting out of this thing.

When I was young

"There is such a small crowd. No one is dancing. I play crappy whenever the crowd fails to pump me up. Not my fault."

Now ? Hey check out Zoomie ! He is down on the floor on his knees grooving and goofing with those two children dancing their butts off. The small crowd loved it and went nuts.

One of the moms approached us on break. She is the admin assistant for the President of XYZ Worldwide and in charge of corporate entertainment. She asked if we could play their annual BBQ down in Boca at 3 times our regular rate, plus food and expenses. She also asked how many rooms the band required.

Yep, all kinds of things slipping in my life.

[MrLenny1]

At 60 I'm playing better than ever.
Biggest issue for gigging is my age.
Last 3 auditions required age 21-35.

[charliefreak]

Originally Posted by mellowinman

I'm a stone's throw from fifty, and I will totally kick your ass.

I don't even need a REASON!!!!

+1
It's not about how much you can kick, but how much experience you have kicking it well.

[the yeti]

i'm working on getting old. don't feel old though. i found out this week that i didn't get a pretty good sub job a couple months ago because the singer said i was "too old".