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Age matters if you're a cheese

#81
Durham52 said:
Fair enough, but if the 20 year old's were trying to be the new pop sensation, you really couldn't blame them if they didn't want a 60 or 70 year old standing there on bass. :D Not quite the image for the tweens and teens in their audience demographic....;)

Not many old geezers in boy bands, or septuagenarian dancers waggling their butts behind Beyoncé. :laugh:
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Heck, in my musical career l’ve ready killed off two generations and working on my third. Seems like whenever I get something going the folks in walkers show up…LOL!!! Now it’s my band in walkers!!! LOL!!! Nah, we’re all in pretty good shape.

I was playing a gig in a hotel ballroom several years ago and looking out at the audience, how they were dancing, what they were wearing, and for a second, I thought I was playing in the Lawrence Welk orchestra. The only thing missing was the giant Geritol sign behind us and bubbles.

Seriously, I suffer no illusions or have desire of playing in a boy band. Or an all girl band for that matter… LOL!!!
 
#82
yeah, aging out is a real drag... I'm 74 and can and do play all styles very very well. and honestly I'm comfortable hanging with anyone at any age. but unfortunately I just don't get those opportunities very often. [sigh] fortunately my own band is pretty hip IMO.

 
#84
chazolson said:
It never ceases to amuse me when I see a “bassist wanted for classic rock cover band” ad with the sentence “must be in 20s”. Hell, son, those songs were written and performed way before you were born.
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Bringing this vibe to the table is probably one of the things players in their 20s are looking to avoid. Wisdom through experience is something younger players benefit from if they’re observant and receptive. Having older dudes jam “back in my day” stories down their throats gets old quick…
 
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#87
themickster said:
I see ads for band members 'preferably in 20s'. One wanted only 18s. That's up to them, but is likely to miss them out of good players, and I've been attacked for suggesting it might. My two-man band is 21 and 58. Neither of us cares about the gap.
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I see no problem with it; escpecially if the band is more "for fun."

Wanting someone in your age bracket makes for an easier hang most of the time.
 
#91
I get it. When we're not actually playing, and we're talking about other stuff, I'm sure they'd want to hear about my bad knees and back about as much as I'd want to hear about their recent experiences in high school.
 
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#93
BlueTalon said:
I get it. When we're not actually playing, and we're talking about other stuff, I'm sure they'd want to hear about my bad knees and back about as much as I'd want to hear about their recent experiences in high school.
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I know just what you mean, my back and knees give me trouble at times, just worn out after nearly 70 years, but we keep hanging in there. Those things don't get a mention when talking with the grand kids and their friends, just as I'm sure they edit their topics of conversation around me. They certainly wouldn't want to talk about their teenage relationships with me and they damn sure don't want to hear about me and their grandma's relationship! :eek:
(And I'm careful to only talk about music matters, "back in the day", if they ask.)
 
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#97
themickster said:
I see ads for band members 'preferably in 20s'. One wanted only 18s. That's up to them, but is likely to miss them out of good players, and I've been attacked for suggesting it might. My two-man band is 21 and 58. Neither of us cares about the gap.
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"Age matters if you're a cheese..."
...and w(h)ine...(not you, them...the ones who want the yungin's...)
Give me a guy who's been around...
 
#98
themickster said:
I see ads for band members 'preferably in 20s'. One wanted only 18s. That's up to them, but is likely to miss them out of good players, and I've been attacked for suggesting it might. My two-man band is 21 and 58. Neither of us cares about the gap.
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Unlike athletes, musicians can continue to improve and refine their craft for essentially their entire lives. If a bassist is in it for the long haul, learn everything you can so you can be ia group that appreciates your talents.
themickster said:
I see ads for band members 'preferably in 20s'. One wanted only 18s. That's up to them, but is likely to miss them out of good players, and I've been attacked for suggesting it might. My two-man band is 21 and 58. Neither of us cares about the gap.
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Music performance is something everyone can pursue and enjoy for their entire life. The entertainment industry however, is only interested in youth, looks, and the bottom line.
 
#100
Bella formaggia:

prdb9d85601-dd39-42bd-9619-63b59923f403.jpg

. . . . and wine and balsamic vinegar, too. Me? I'm old enough to know better.
 

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