Member who is drastically younger/older?

[BayStateBass]

Here's an interesting question;

Some of you know that my band has been searching for a second guitarist who likes to play lead. NOT having a lot of luck. For a variety of reasons.

Anywho...

The drummer was talking to a friend of his who has a younger family member who is supposedly an excellent guitarist and professionally trained. He really likes classic rock, oldies, disco, 80's, basically all the stuff we do minus the country tunes. The drummer talked to this player and told him what we were looking for, how we're set up, and the guitarist was really interested because he's been searching for a band with a diverse setlist and some experienced musicians. Great!

But he's 19. Looks like he's about 12.

We are all 40 or older.

I guess he's been wanting to find a band that is serious and substance free that wants to play gigs and not just jam, which he's having a hard time doing in his own age bracket. Plus he wants to do "his parent's music", which isn't popular in his age group. The drummer said he sounds like a really nice kid and well rooted (family, works, and goes to a local college during the day).

We are inclined to give him a shot if he's interested.

Have any of you been in a band that had something like this? Is it something you would consider?

 

[troy mcclure]

My friend has a 14 yo bass player in his band and the drummer is 60.... They don't gig but their band photo is sure funny looking.

 

[waynobass]

Go for it. He could be a breath of fresh air.

I saw Tommy Keene play a couple of years ago. He's probably 50, and he had his 16-year-old nephew on drums. It was a great show.

 

[pinebrookjohn]

Why not give him a shot what ya got to lose? It would be the same with any other guitar player just the age is different.

 

[FretlessMainly]

The way I see it, as long as he has his head screwed on right and can play, there's no problem. In general, it's an easier "sell" having one younger member in a band with older members than vice versa. If you are playing mainly to crowds in their 30s-50s, at most it will be a curiosity. On the other hand, in many cases, having one older member with a bunch of 20-year olds is going to be "an image problem."

 

[paganjack]

The way I see it, as long as he has his head screwed on right and can play, there's no problem. In general, it's an easier "sell" having one younger member in a band with older members than vice versa. If you are playing mainly to crowds in their 30s-50s, at most it will be a curiosity. On the other hand, in many cases, having one older member with a bunch of 20-year olds is going to be "an image problem."

That's a good point. Give him a shot, why not? If it doesn't work it doesn't work but it could be sweet for everyone involved.

 

[Thor]

I'd audition him. We had a similar situation come up and it worked out very well.

 

[BayStateBass]

This is kinda what I was thinking.

Ironically, the drummer started playing professionally at 16 in a Country band where everyone else was in their 40's or 50's.

It might be kinda cool.

Just for a laugh, and I'm still laughing, I guess when he talked to the drummer he was all excited and said "I want to tell my mom and dad, and see what they think about it".

Oh, to be young and innocent again.

 

[Handyman]

Give it a try. One of my friends (in his early 30s) plays with a bunch of guys pushing 60. They work well together, and everyone has a great time.

 

[Joe Louvar]

If everything said is true, it sounds like (besides maybe age?) he might be exactly what you and your band mates are looking for. Personally, I like young talented musicians, so unless your primary working bar (21+) gigs, I wouldn’t hesitate to audition him.

Here's an interesting question;

Some of you know that my band has been searching for a second guitarist who likes to play lead. NOT having a lot of luck. For a variety of reasons.

Anywho...

The drummer was talking to a friend of his who has a younger family member who is supposedly an excellent guitarist and professionally trained. He really likes classic rock, oldies, disco, 80's, basically all the stuff we do minus the country tunes. The drummer talked to this player and told him what we were looking for, how we're set up, and the guitarist was really interested because he's been searching for a band with a diverse setlist and some experienced musicians. Great!

But he's 19. Looks like he's about 12.

We are all 40 or older.

I guess he's been wanting to find a band that is serious and substance free that wants to play gigs and not just jam, which he's having a hard time doing in his own age bracket. Plus he wants to do "his parent's music", which isn't popular in his age group. The drummer said he sounds like a really nice kid and well rooted (family, works, and goes to a local college during the day).

We are inclined to give him a shot if he's interested.

Have any of you been in a band that had something like this? Is it something you would consider?

 

[pklima]

Plus he wants to do "his parent's music", which isn't popular in his age group.

Yeah, the thing about 19-year-old musicians is that, just like 40-year-old musicians, they usually have the musical tastes of 50-year-olds.

Sorry, I couldn't resist, though it is kinda true - getting along musically should be pretty easy. Try not to annoy him when it comes to non-musical subjects, though. That doesn't mean try to be young and hip, but just don't talk about old guy stuff with the other old guys around the guitarist. I know a girl who was 16 and in a blues-rock band with a bunch of 40+ guys. Long after that band was done, she complained that she'd ask them how her vocals were and they'd spend five seconds telling her the vocals are fine, then go back to talking to each other about how their potato crop isn't doing well this year.

So, try to keep talking about your potato crop to a minimum.

 

[yodedude2]

(family, works, and goes to a local college during the day).

sounds like his plate is pretty full. if he's mature enough to handle all that, i'm confident he's mature enough to hang with you guys.

 

[Robert B]

I played in a band with a 19 year old guitarist. The rest of us were in our 30's. This was in Germany, so his age was not an issue playing in bars. I never regretted it for a minute - he was great to work with and a fine musician. Do it.

 

[David Jayne]

I played in a band with a 19 year old guitarist. The rest of us were in our 30's. This was in Germany, so his age was not an issue playing in bars. .

This is the only potential problem that I can see.

 

[BayStateBass]

That's kinda the other thing....I've never been in the situation of having someone under 21 in any band I've been involved in (which hasn't been a lot of them).

Are they actually allowed to play in bars? What about bar/grille type places that serve food?

Back in the day I used to work in a pizza place that did beer and wine, and at that time (80's/early 90's), you could work in an establishment that sold alcohol, actually you could serve it, as long as you were over 18.

?????

 

[cleary]

In Australia at least, you can work in bars underage (I think the working age is 14) so long as you have a guardian/adult supervision. I have a few friends who played bar gigs who were underage.

Drinking age is 18, therefore you're not allowed in as a patron unless you're 18.

 

[rodl2005]

Our drummer was 19 when he joined us, we're in our 40's, he's 23 now.
I just saw Robert Plant & the Sensational Space Shifters-who were great- drummer, Dave Smith- 18y.o. :thumbup:

 

[BayStateBass]

Might have answered my own question;

This is from the mass.gov state website;


How old do you have to be to tend bar?

At least 18 years of age. Although Chapter 138, section 34 prohibits the sale or delivery of Alcoholic Beverages to a person under 21 years of age, nothing in Chapter 138, Section 34 shall prohibit any licensee from employing a person 18 years old or older for the direct handling, selling, mixing or serving of alcohol or alcoholic beverages.


A little more research (unconfirmed, just iNtErWeBz Googling, turned this up;

A musical performer as young as 14 (legal working age in Mass) is allowed to play in bars. There is, however, a catch;

The performer is not allowed to stay on the premises after the performance. They must leave as soon as is reasonable after their work is completed.


I really want this kid to come down and try it out. It could be just the thing we need, some youth and some energy instead of all of us worn out old farts.

 

[PauFerro]

I would give him a try,. But the research on small groups indicates that the more diverse the group is (in terms of age), the less likely they are to get along. There's a risk the guy might not gel with the group, or show the necessary maturity to be successful with the group even if he sheds well.

I was part of a dance band and we were aged 15 to 48. It lasted one gig because I booked New Year's Eve and all the young people didn't want to play it because they wanted to party with their friends. You run into stuff like that. On the other hand, Pat Metheny, famed jazz guitarist, was gigging when he was a teenager with some good mature players, but he was very intelligent and I think, mature. I'd try it but don't be surprised if you start feeling like the guy's father at different points and get ticked if he behaves his age....

 

[bass_lord_mutha]

I was in the same situation as this kid when I started playing bars at 17, so I'd be one of the last people on the planet to deny him a try-out. Like what was said before, as long as he's got all his ducks in a row and is a fairly competent player it should be all good.