New project unravelling!... sadly, Im 17.

[J. Crawford]

I just contacted a cat about playing for his project this summer, and we hit a wall. Its an awesome project, already established, and it would keep me from having to get a summer job.

Thing is.. Im only 17.

Now, Ive never had a problem with this, neither here or when I was in Nashville, but he believes it might now work out due to that fact. I dont want to drink, my parents/dad are always at the shows so I have an adult, and Im down for putting the "double X" or whatever on my hands. No biggie.

I dont want to miss out because Im 17..

Any tips? Things to say? Im not saying its a no go, he invited me to come and jam (Which Im fully confident I can do,) but I dont want to lose it due to my age.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

I just contacted a cat about playing for his project this summer, and we hit a wall. Its an awesome project, already established, and it would keep me from having to get a summer job.

Thing is.. Im only 17.

Now, Ive never had a problem with this, neither here or when I was in Nashville, but he believes it might now work out due to that fact. I dont want to drink, my parents/dad are always at the shows so I have an adult, and Im down for putting the "double X" or whatever on my hands. No biggie.

I dont want to miss out because Im 17..

Any tips? Things to say? Im not saying its a no go, he invited me to come and jam (Which Im fully confident I can do,) but I dont want to lose it due to my age.

go and ace the jam....beyond that you have no control....if they are not comfortable with your age,don't sweat it.....it won't be the first time or last time you run into that.....,let them know what you can do,not what you cannot.....if the decision ends up going against you,thank them for the audition and keep the lines of communication open.....

[J. Crawford]

I plan to! I hope it works out.

I just dont want a "normal" summer job.

[NickInMesa]

You'd be the first minor to make a living acting, painting, juggling, singing or playing music?

Yes, ace it

And report.

[J. Crawford]

Of course Ill report. Im on TB more than I breathe anymore.





Well see how it goes!

[Lazylion]

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

...but he believes it might now work out due to that fact.

One wrong letter reverses the meaning of this statement.

[J. Crawford]

Hmm.. Being 17, and pretty bright, I thought I would get that.. sadly, Im sitting here thinking.

If its bad, PM me. I want to know.

[M0ses]

Hey Crawford, don't sweat it, you've got Fenders, what's not to like? That makes you the perfect bass player, right? lol. Good luck, man. I don't see why it shouldn't work out, a lot of the gigs I have done in my tiny town have been in bars (there isn't anything else in town!) and I'm only 17. Then, my whole band is 17, so it doesn't bother them, lol.

EDIT: You said he thinks it might NOW work out, rather than might NOT work out.

[J. Crawford]

Its not that it bothers them in a personal sense, theyre all in the 20s, its just that they dont want to lose gigs for having an underage bassist.

Wait til this summer, I plan on trading my rig off for a full Ampeg one.

Yeah.. Fender and Ampeg. Slap me now.

[M0ses]

Well, I'm just giving you hope, since bars around here let us play.

And I was just joking a bit, you know those CL ads "Bass player wanted, must have Fender, must stand in corner and be quiet." I have a Fender, too, and I'd rather have an Ampeg than my lame Acoustic.

[EagleMoon]

Ampeg ain't all it's cracked up to be. You may find you prefer your GK.

As far as the project goes, the people you're talking to may be thinking that you can't play if you're 17. I remember running into that at one point. There are plenty of places to play other than bars as well.

[J. Crawford]

Hey, JPJ made his living on an Acoustic.

[M0ses]

True. But the new Acoustic is not the old ACC. Have you tried them? I simply cannot complain enough about the "notch" knob. I didn't know anything when I bought it, except that it was big and loud and had a 6-band EQ. It works, and I'm poor, but I drool over amps daily.

[metallicafan18]

Don't get rid of the GK Jordan!!! Take the gig, but dont lose the GK!

[blendermassacre]

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

Hey, JPJ made his living on an Acoustic.

Jordan, I think that a) you should cross those bridges when you get there, and b) stick to your GK. Worse comes to worse, buy a VT bass.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

Of course Ill report. Im on TB more than I breathe anymore.





Well see how it goes!

if you do end up with the gig it wouldn't hurt to print up a copy of state law regarding underage performers to reassure reluctant club staff

[J. Crawford]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

if you do end up with the gig it wouldn't hurt to print up a copy of state law regarding underage performers to reassure reluctant club staff

Good idea! I should probably read up on this first.

Okay guys, maybe I wont get rid of the GK.

[guy n. cognito]

Can't blame them for not wanting to bear the responsibility of carting a minor into bars and clubs. It's a liability, at best.

[J. Crawford]

Ive never been called a liability. Ouch.

[T. B. Player]

When I was 17, I got a call to play for The Temptations (yes, those Temptations). I was a senior in high school, but a member of the Musicians Union, and was on their availability list. I said no because I was committed to playing my high school musical that weekend.

When my band director found out what I did, he told me to never do that again, because it could have been the only break I would ever have.

Just because you're 17 doesn't mean you don't have chops. Blow everybody away with your ability to groove, lock in with the drummer and provide some tasty fills. If it doesn't land you the gig, it'll land you exposure.

Z