How long have you stayed in one band?

[dmac1961]

Most of my bands last longer than either of my marriages. Don't know what that says about me as a musician or husband.

 

[two fingers]

8 1/2 out of ten years. I left for a year and a half and came back. The band went 10 years to the day. Played the last show on its 10th anniversary.

 

[gumtown]

next year will be our bands 30th year, started (gigging) in 1988.
Had some guitarist changes in the last 5 years though, but the rest of the band is the same line up.

 

[Fat Freddy]

9 years with this gent until he passed away in 2013.

Texas Johnny Brown!.....Cooool

 

[2saddleslab]

First band, 20 years. Current band, closing in on 15 years.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

I played in an originals band for 7 years, back in the 90s. We went through singers like toilet paper, but the core three guys were like blood brothers. Until one core guy had sexy time with other core guy's girlfriend. And that was that.

 

[40Hz]

Five years, two months, six days.

But who's keeping count?

 

[jnewmark]

20 years.

 

[RustyAxe]

My classic country band is led by a man who just turned 77. He's been running the band for 52 years, employing dozens of musicians over the years. I sub'd with them for a year and I've been with them since 2010 on a permanent basis. The "boss" (an affectionate term, not pejorative) sings a lot less than he used to, but there are three others (including myself) who can quite competently handle lead and/or harmony vocals. It works for us.

 

[braud357]

Actually, after playing for 48 years - the band I am with now has lasted the longest. I have been with them 4 years. Prior to that, my longest-lasting group was together for only 2 years. I did have a long period of inactivity (1980 - 1986), after which I stayed as busy as I wanted to be doing freelance gigs and fill-in gigs. Even now, we only play 10 - 15 gigs a year ! Had a lot of false starts and short-lived projects over the years, with problems caused by both myself (honestly) and others. I was always looking to better myself, and in the process left a couple of groups that I should have stayed with. (you know, "the grass is greener" !) You live, and you learn !

 

[JRA]

two bands i'm currently working = one for ten years, the other for three years.

past = jazz trio for 20 years until the death of a player, several groups for 5+ years: many were concurrent or with overlaps. or with regular personnel changes to accommodate folks moving in and out of the locale.

there were a few (don't know the exact count) which were short lived or were formed to be a temporary thing (show bands or 'back up' bands).

whether many years or just a few: i tend to see each ensemble as a 'potential', i.e., i don't join just to fill in time until something better comes along. (subbing is a different objective.)

 

[lbbc]

17- 1/2 years and counting.... AND we have bookings into Feb of next year!!

 

[lbbc]

17- 1/2 years and counting.... AND we have bookings into Feb of next year!!

AND with the same members!!

 

[Reedt2000]

I've been in an original project that gigs occasionally with guys who I went to college with since the early 2000's. I also play in a "weekend warrior" rock and blues cover band that I've been in for almost 10 years. The two guitarists in that band have been in it since 1984. The key for me is like-minded people who are there to work while having a good time. No egos, no bull$%!#, just making music and a little money.

 

[Al Garcia]

I've been playing with my jazz fusion band Continuum for close to 30 years. We've taken hiatuses every now and again, and some people have come and gone, but we've maintained a presence.

 

[bolophonic]

I played in one band for seven years. Before that (and since then), they usually last 1-3 years before the wheels fall off.

 

[DWBass]

I've been playing with my jazz fusion band Continuum for close to 30 years. We've taken hiatuses every now and again, and some people have come and gone, but we've maintained a presence.

Very nice.

 

[Justinvs]

I live in a pretty rural area, so the pool of musicians tends to be fairly small. I've worked off and on with the same rotating bunch of people for years, but as far as an actual band the shortest time was just over a year (only time I ever quit a band) and the longest was about 9 years. FWIW, the guitar player I'm working with now is a good friend and he and I have been in three or four bands together, so you could say we've been playing nearly twenty years.

 

[Fat Freddy]

I've been playing with my jazz fusion band Continuum for close to 30 years. We've taken hiatuses every now and again, and some people have come and gone, but we've maintained a presence.

Nice!.........

Did someone steal the sax players trousers?

 

[jcerio]

Coming up on 18 years with my current band. 14 or 15 with the same lineup. I think we've got another couple of years left. I think we're holding out for 20 - our first gig was 12/31/99.