Trying To Stay Positive

[becker4567]

Just remember man, we all are behind you!

[bluewine]

And let me ask you this, does he engage in the theatrics? I doubt it, he probably is comfortable with his age, and who he is.


No, no theatrics, but he struggles with age issues.Maybe not to the degree I do.

[Mike151]

Hey! Just had a thought (not always a good thing).
Ever consider throwing an audition on purpose?
Show up in leopard spandex, tiny shoes, and a headband! Tell them you just finished a gig and didn't have time to change.

[xgator4u]

P.M. SENT

[JimmyM]

Bluewine, as I see it, you have two choices...either deny the natural aging process and make yourself miserable trying to get a gig with 20 year olds, or you can accept the fate that's going to befall all of us eventually and get with a band closer to your age and have a little fun before you moonwalk off into the sunset.

BTW, I usually know within 30 seconds of playing if it's going to work out with a musician or band. 30 minutes is a maximum.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by xgator4u

That is a curse indeed, most of us mature musically, along with physically, and emotionally. You know when I was 18 I played football 1st string for a major S.E.C. football program, well guess what I do not do that any longer, nor do I hang out at the field house with the current 18 year olds, hoping that they will welcome me with open arms because of my past accomplishments. NOW I hang out wit people my own age.

Originally Posted by bluewine

I know what you mean Jim. However, I know my skill sets.I am not a band leader and not really equipped to handle that level of responsibility.

Jim, I'm a side man, a bass player, it's what I have always been and will always be.Nothing more, nothing less.

I still hear and see music from the eyes and ears of an 18 year old. I'm cursed , I guess

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Bluewine, as I see it, you have two choices...either deny the natural aging process and make yourself miserable trying to get a gig with 20 year olds, or you can accept the fate that's going to befall all of us eventually and get with a band closer to your age and have a little fun before you moonwalk off into the sunset.

BTW, I usually know within 30 seconds of playing if it's going to work out with a musician or band. 30 minutes is a maximum.

we have lots of older guys that gig regularly in bars here...such and such blues band,this and that blues band.....they usually start out with the usual suspects;srv,sweet home chicago et all but by set two they are
rockin the dance floor......

[bluewine]

It's all good and I want to stay positive.However, those nice enough to follow my post know I am not ready to go the route of "Sweet Home Chicago" yet

[butchblack]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Your right Chris, and I know you understand my passion and that this is a difficult situation.

Remember my 1st thread (prior to any auditions) "The Aging Pop/Rock Artist.

Now the challenge and the issues are becoming a reality.

I am stubborn and at this point I am not ready to play with 56 year olds in a jazz or a blues band.I will stay in the Madison Square Bedroom before I do that.

I am going to hang in here and just push it. maybe when some guy comes up to me and says;

"Dude, your really rock ,but dude you are to old. My Dad has a band, you should talk to him" I will catch the hint

If you're mid 50's and are auditioning for bands whose members are young enough to be your kids, expect a lot of rejection. Image, like it or not, is a big part in pop bands. This is not to say you can't find a pop band to be in. I saw a friend's newest project. He's late 50's early 60's, drummer 50ish, guitarist mid/late 40's and the female vocalist 20. They were doing everything from Zep to Etta James to Nickleback, and sounded good doing all of those. You just have to be patient as there are bands out there that are more concerned with musicianship then a certain image.

[bluewine]

If you're mid 50's and are auditioning for bands whose members are young enough to be your kids, expect a lot of rejection. Image, like it or not, is a big part in pop bands. This is not to say you can't find a pop band to be in. I saw a friend's newest project. He's late 50's early 60's, drummer 50ish, guitarist mid/late 40's and the female vocalist 20. They were doing everything from Zep to Etta James to Nickleback, and sounded good doing all of those. You just have to be patient as there are bands out there that are more concerned with musicianship then a certain image.

Good point, it's still about finding the right band.

BTW the next audition is with a band whos members apear to be in the 30-35 range, not 20s except the female vocalist, she might be younger.

And the image thing, I am actually still into that.I have it in my head that I can still pull it off.Maybe if one of my old HS buddies were around abd said."Man you can't pull that look off anymore" I would be more realistic

[Joe Nerve]

Why are you auditioning for bands that you can tell you wouldn't be a fit for? It's going to be hard to stay positive if you keep putting yourself in situations you know from the outset aren't right for you. I'm constantly searching out new gigs, and it seems like common sense for me to know which bands I might fit with and the ones I definitely won't. Sounds like you can do the same, but you're not listening to yourself.

As for the other parts - I always wear jeans and t-shirt to auditions. Maybe a button down black shirt. It's pretty generic and will keep people from making judgements cuz there isn't much to judge. If they dress way out of sync with that it's probably something I'm not going to want to do anyhow. Why would someone want to be in a biker band, if that's not what they're about?

I also still believe (know) that the playing does actually have a lot to with nailing an audition. I've been on both sides of the audition fence many many times and I'm still amazed by what I see. Countless musicians think they're nailing an auditon, yet come in sucking bigtime. When I audition I make sure no mater what it takes that I know the material inside out, upside down, backwards, forwards at 2X the speed, and that I'm able to play it flawlessly even if the rest of the band is screwing it up. I go in as if it were a gig. A high stakes great paying gig. When I know something that well I can't give off anything but confidence. And it doesn't come off as arrogance because I've got enough other issues to keep me humble.

I also keep my mouth pretty much shut and let the band do the talking. I answer questions, but stay sensitive to the situation and once again, employ some common sense. I don't try to be anything I'm not because I'm not good at it, and it's pointless.

I give it all I've got. If I'm meant to be in a band I'll be in it. If I'm not, I won't so I don't generally sweat it. It's really that simple to me.

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by bluewine

And the image thing, I am actually still into that.I have it in my head that I can still pull it off.Maybe if one of my old HS buddies were around abd said."Man you can't pull that look off anymore" I would be more realistic

Post some recent pix. We'll tell you.

[bluewine]

I also still believe (know) that the playing does actually have a lot to with nailing an audition. I've been on both sides of the audition fence many many times and I'm still amazed by what I see. Countless musicians think they're nailing an auditon, yet come in sucking bigtime. When I audition I make

I also keep my mouth pretty much shut and let the band do the talking. I answer questions, but stay sensitive to the situation and once again, employ some common sense. I don't try to be anything I'm not because I'm not good at it, and it's pointless.


You nailed it.We are on the same page.

I have 3 songs to audition tomorrow and I would bet I am more prepared to execute the songs than the band is.

By the way the band apears to be in that 35 year old range.

I am bringing my own rig, no provided practice amps for me.

As far as my age, a lot of guys my age are doing the