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From amateur to pro at age 60?

David B Wilson

David B Wilson

Nov 15, 2018
30
11
64
Scappoose, Oregon, USA
#1
Hey there-
I've been a musician most of my life with years of stage experience, music school ect. Attended MI in the 80s. I always kinda regretted not making music a career. For me It was always once a month gigs with a band at parties, events, bars ect.
I'm thinking now that I'm 60, and see corporate retirement coming, is it too late to turn pro? By this I mean, get hired with a professional level artist or band that has a residency somewhere, Vegas? Orlando? Disney Land? IDK! Lol! How would one go about pursuing it? Are there agents for bass players or is it all individual networking?
 
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#2
David B Wilson said:
Hey there-
I've been a musician most of my life with years of stage experience, music school ect. Attended MI in the 80s. I always kinda regretted not making music a career. For me It was always once a month gigs with a band at parties, events, bars ect.
I'm thinking now that I'm 60, and see corporate retirement coming, is it too late to turn pro? By this I mean, get hired with a professional level artist or band that has a residency somewhere, Vegas? Orlando? Disney Land? IDK! Lol! How would one go about pursuing it? Are there agents for bass players or is it all individual networking?
Click to expand...

I hate to discourage anyone from pursuing their dreams, but this would be a very difficult road. Especially if you're starting at the beginning and don't already live in one of these cities. I don't know of any agents that solely work with hired guns, but you'd be competing with players that have been doing it for a living for many years. Even if you're a great player, chances are it'll be a frustrating road ahead without the results you're looking for.

You might get more responses with this thread if the mods moved it to Miscellaneous or Band Management.
 
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#3
At age 67, it's now all networking for me. I turned pro by default when I retired simply because it's my only job now :roflmao:

If you have no connections, well, you have a problem. You really need to be in the right place at the right time.

I play with various local pros, a lot of blues, country and folk-related stuff but more recently getting into funk and even some rock (I was never in a real rock band). The phone rings and off I go. As Cub Koda once said "Put the money in his hand and the Cubmaster will rock".:thumbsup:
 
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#4
As someone on the outside looking in, I think that when it comes to new musicians who are young get the prime shots at the best jobs, if they are good enough. Mature veteran musicians tend to keep working because they have established themselves.

OP, you want to a living as a player, so where do want to work? Is there a viable market for musicians where you live or do you have to move and establish yourself? I think your odds are best if there is a decent to excellent scene where you live and hopefully you know some people. Best of luck to you!:bassist:
 
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#5
How do you make your living now? It's OK not to answer. I ask because you most likely got the position you currently have based on your resume and leveraging your network. Music is the same. Lee Sklar doesn't get benched because of his age. If you want to work as a pro start working and building a network. When someone needs a plumber they call a plumber, not a guy who wants to be a plumber. Start playing and make yourself available and grow your connections so you'll be one of the bassists that gets the call. Personally I'd avoid the CL and other. Good luck and have fun. Keep playing.
 
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#8
The only thing that's impossible is the thing you never try. Having said that, you have a pretty ambitious goal. If you're not already a monster player, start practicing. If you don't have a great network, start growing it. Starting out at 60 is no walk in the park. I'd also suggest taking some lessons with some established bass players and pick their brains.
 
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#9
One bit of advice: In the event that someone does want to hire you to tour, show the contract to a lawyer. I was gearing up to go on tour some years back with a New Country act. I showed the contract to a lawyer friend who said "As long as you don't mind being an indentured servant for the next two years, go ahead." I declined.
 
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#10
My advice (which is probably uncomfortable to a few boomers on here) create a YouTube channel/instagram page. Record yourself playing along to your favorite songs, establish yourself from there especially in this day and age where people rely on social credit score AKA what your follower count is like, how engaged you are etc.

It's been the most effective approach since C-19 lockdown, a lot of people are now finding musicians through social media. As someone mentioned here to stay away from CL, absolutely. Stay CLEAR AWAY from CL and network through social media. Instagram being one of the best sites to do it.

Everything is on the web now and days, conform or be cast out!
 
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#12
go for it!
work on your sight reading, it will totally help.
Lots of opportunity out there now that things are starting to ease up.
Cruise ships are starting to hire again, folks are touring again, you can find something but don't expect a big payday....like someone else said, look at the contract, and if you are OK with all expenses paid plus ~$50, then you will find gigs! But yes, some of those contracts are basically gas, food & lodging and not much more. BUT you may find yourself playing some great gigs and making friends/contacts for future endeavors.
Good luck!
 
#13
If you don't need to make a living, you've got the advantage. FWIW I don't know any working pro musicians in Portland who don't also teach and/or have a side hustle to pay the bills. There's lots of music in this town, not all that many pro-level venues, and tons of really good, eager youngins hustling for every available slot.
 
#15
David B Wilson said:
I just want to play great shows. Money is nice, but I have enough to get by I think?
Click to expand...

It sounds like your goals are fairly reasonable. Maybe a corporate/wedding band could be a good fit? It'll be more difficult to find than the average bar band, but the gigs might be more in line with what you're looking for. And age usually isn't as much of an issue.
 
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#17
This really depends on how "pro" you want to go. The kinds of jobs you listed are most likely going to the people who have been playing pro level jobs in your area for a long time. So much of this is about networking at this level and if you're new on your local scene, you have to build that network. That isn't to say that you can't, but it takes time, and there's only so far you will realistically be able to go in ten or fifteen years' time before you decide it's time to retire.

I got back into the game at 58 and I'll be 63 now; I'm not playing those kinds of shows and I wouldn't want the grind, but I'm playing the shows I want to with the players I want to play with.

So my advice is do it for fun and see how far life takes you.
 
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#19
If you're already gigging I'd say keep it up, and spend your free nights at the clubs, sit in with bands, go to jam sessions. Find a working pro doing the types of gigs you want to play and take a few lessons, you'll learn, help support a working player, and if the player feels confident recommending you for some work you'll be in. Have fun and good luck!
 
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