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Ok, music retirement is over
- Thread starter JimmyM
- Start date
Congrats on deciding what is important for you and taking action! It sounds trite, but it's really true that life is too short to stay in miserable circumstances.Yep, you heard me. I am getting back into the game. I recently had a mild heart attack and got two stents put in, and at age 60, I am never going to put myself in a position where I have to keep a job I get so stressed over.
To that end, I am also splitting with my wife of 21 years. I still love her, but the only reason I played in that oldies band I used to play for so long is because of the nut on the expensive house she insisted we buy, and same for the cable company I’ve been working at for the past year. I don’t mind a day job but I’ll never stick with one I don’t enjoy again because I don’t have to. My wife is a great person in many ways and I will never talk bad about her, but we no longer get along as a couple and I am not going to live my golden years with that kind of pressure again or I will croak.
So don’t cry for me, Argentina. We both seem to be happier this way. And besides, I miss doing what I do best. I will never again work with an a-hole BL like the one in that oldies band, and if a woman doesn’t like my scaled back lifestyle, I will be happy to show her the door. It’s my life and I’ll do what I want, as Eric Burdon once sang.
Yay for me!
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Yes indeed, live your like the way it suits you. I’m 55 and about to give up my business. I’m diabetic, arthritic and watched a band mate of the last 6 years drop of a heart attack no stage last year during the last tune of the night. Luckily they were able to revive him, but it was a wake ion call for me to start doing what I enjoy most every day. I’m going to play every gig that comes my way, teach only three days a week and start building instruments instead of doing endless repairs for other people. If I have to move back to my small house instead of buying this big house in the lake, so be it. I’m going to simplify.
Yep, you heard me. I am getting back into the game. I recently had a mild heart attack and got two stents put in, and at age 60, I am never going to put myself in a position where I have to keep a job I get so stressed over.
To that end, I am also splitting with my wife of 21 years. I still love her, but the only reason I played in that oldies band I used to play for so long is because of the nut on the expensive house she insisted we buy, and same for the cable company I’ve been working at for the past year. I don’t mind a day job but I’ll never stick with one I don’t enjoy again because I don’t have to. My wife is a great person in many ways and I will never talk bad about her, but we no longer get along as a couple and I am not going to live my golden years with that kind of pressure again or I will croak.
So don’t cry for me, Argentina
Yay for me!
Totally agree with you on the job front. I've always said you can't pay me enough to work at a job I don't like (or a manager, for that matter). Good for you! Sorry about the divorce, but if it helps with your mental and physical health, ain't nothing wrong with that.
I had a heart attack at 63. 45 minutes in the cath lab, three stents and one night in the hospital. I was home the next night having band practice. Music Heals!
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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My hot body, I do what I want!Yep, you heard me. I am getting back into the game. I recently had a mild heart attack and got two stents put in, and at age 60, I am never going to put myself in a position where I have to keep a job I get so stressed over.
To that end, I am also splitting with my wife of 21 years. I still love her, but the only reason I played in that oldies band I used to play for so long is because of the nut on the expensive house she insisted we buy, and same for the cable company I’ve been working at for the past year. I don’t mind a day job but I’ll never stick with one I don’t enjoy again because I don’t have to. My wife is a great person in many ways and I will never talk bad about her, but we no longer get along as a couple and I am not going to live my golden years with that kind of pressure again or I will croak.
So don’t cry for me, Argentina
Yay for me!
Ha ha ha, right on Jimmy. Do you bro. Been with my wife 13 years. We only fight when we're around each other : )
Because it's deaf and mute, not deaf and blind.
However, I did manage to marry above my league,....but that has much to do with her having bad eyesight. YMMV.
Yep, you heard me. I am getting back into the game. I recently had a mild heart attack and got two stents put in, and at age 60, I am never going to put myself in a position where I have to keep a job I get so stressed over.
To that end, I am also splitting with my wife of 21 years. I still love her, but the only reason I played in that oldies band I used to play for so long is because of the nut on the expensive house she insisted we buy, and same for the cable company I’ve been working at for the past year. I don’t mind a day job but I’ll never stick with one I don’t enjoy again because I don’t have to. My wife is a great person in many ways and I will never talk bad about her, but we no longer get along as a couple and I am not going to live my golden years with that kind of pressure again or I will croak.
So don’t cry for me, Argentina
Yay for me!
Well Mr. Jimmy, I’ve been reading your posts for over a decade now and learned mightily from them. Glad you survived and are doing well!!!!
Im a year older than you. Primarily a drummer but also play (in order of competency) bass, keys and guitar. I’ve learned SO MUCH from your posts over the past decade plus! So we need you around a long time to keep educating us!
as far as the other life changes, you’re handling the marriage dissolution in a far more mature manner than most of my divorce clients over the past 31 years do. You’ve got the right attitude. No anger. No venom. You’re a good egg, Jimmy!
I also think there are plenty of women our age and around our age who have the same aspirations as you. I’m pretty sure there are people that will accept you as you are. Good vibes Jimmy!
I’ll add that after gigging steadily since 18, as a cop, through college and law school while working full time, and as a prosecutor I finally had enough of low paying gigs 11 years ago. I couldn’t stand the gin and beer soaked smell (and I do drink some) of these squalid ole blues bars in Austin and Houston. I have a band of college friends that gather a few times a year and we have great fun recording and playing. Pre Covid I would sit in as much as I could and take the very occasional sub gig for a friend. I’ll still sub and play parties but I just had to escape the drunks, the smells of drinks spilt long long ago on floors and carpet and those 230-300 am commutes home from the bars with all the drunks. I still record and play more than I was playing when I was gigging, I’m just doing it for me and my band of friends and to record in my home studio for me.
Ricky Nelson once sang these sage words in our youth: “You can’t please everyone, so ya gotta please yourself.” Upon that, I rest, your honor.
I’ll add that after gigging steadily since 18, as a cop, through college and law school while working full time, and as a prosecutor I finally had enough of low paying gigs 11 years ago. I couldn’t stand the gin and beer soaked smell (and I do drink some) of these squalid ole blues bars in Austin and Houston. I have a band of college friends that gather a few times a year and we have great fun recording and playing. Pre Covid I would sit in as much as I could and take the very occasional sub gig for a friend. I’ll still sub and play parties but I just had to escape the drunks, the smells of drinks spilt long long ago on floors and carpet and those 230-300 am commutes home from the bars with all the drunks. I still record and play more than I was playing when I was gigging, I’m just doing it for me and my band of friends and to record in my home studio for me.
Ricky Nelson once sang these sage words in our youth: “You can’t please everyone, so ya gotta please yourself.” Upon that, I rest, your honor.
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I know all of us out here in Bassworld will wish you nothing but the best, Jimmy. Stay well and enjoy making your music!
Yep, you heard me. I am getting back into the game. I recently had a mild heart attack and got two stents put in, and at age 60, I am never going to put myself in a position where I have to keep a job I get so stressed over.
To that end, I am also splitting with my wife of 21 years. I still love her, but the only reason I played in that oldies band I used to play for so long is because of the nut on the expensive house she insisted we buy, and same for the cable company I’ve been working at for the past year. I don’t mind a day job but I’ll never stick with one I don’t enjoy again because I don’t have to. My wife is a great person in many ways and I will never talk bad about her, but we no longer get along as a couple and I am not going to live my golden years with that kind of pressure again or I will croak.
So don’t cry for me, Argentina
Yay for me!
Best of luck to you, Jimmy!
I have a few yrs on you but I've been there.Had a heart attack 8 yrs ago and been to divorce court.It only gets better.Now if I could just get a gig.Yep, you heard me. I am getting back into the game. I recently had a mild heart attack and got two stents put in, and at age 60, I am never going to put myself in a position where I have to keep a job I get so stressed over.
To that end, I am also splitting with my wife of 21 years. I still love her, but the only reason I played in that oldies band I used to play for so long is because of the nut on the expensive house she insisted we buy, and same for the cable company I’ve been working at for the past year. I don’t mind a day job but I’ll never stick with one I don’t enjoy again because I don’t have to. My wife is a great person in many ways and I will never talk bad about her, but we no longer get along as a couple and I am not going to live my golden years with that kind of pressure again or I will croak.
So don’t cry for me, Argentina
Yay for me!
So glad you're better, Jimmy! Wishing you (both) the best. May this be an AWESOME year for you!
Sorry gang, been moving stuff and trying to get this filthy old house deep cleaned inside before I move real furniture in and the work starts on my divorce. On one hand, my wife-for-now had her own family crisis that she didn't need and just decided to get away from it all for a little while like I did, and our cat Izzy is here with me till she comes back and already made herself at home. OTOH, I still didn't get my pedal board, but I have enough pedals to do most any gig for now so I can wait till she comes back. And honestly, I could probably do no pedals and do fine for the vast majority of the gigs that I've been talking with folks about doing. 5 minutes from my house is a very kickass downtown scene. Mostly smaller venues and a couple of theaters, and the smaller venues are always packed on the weekends, and some are even packed all day long every day.
But I thank everyone of you for your comments, and I wish all of you well whether you choose to go back to playing out or not!
But I thank everyone of you for your comments, and I wish all of you well whether you choose to go back to playing out or not!
Major life changes! I will pray for you!
I’m often surprised how late you post and I’m on the west coast! Take care of yourself and your situation and get some sleep at some point my friend!
If I can't produce the band members equivalent to my dreamteam.. there's always the Boss RC-600. Get my Keller Williams on.. I just thought of the perfect name for my multi-instrument looping act. I totally want to share, but.. I better trademark it first.
2022 is the year fellas.. of course the last time I said the upcoming year was the year was going into 2020. *sigh*
I've always appreciated your wisdom, spirit and humour, young Jimmy, and enjoyed your posts.
I'm going in the opposite direction-- I'm a LOT older than you are, and have recently quit the music after playing gigs over the past fifty years, mostly for my living. (The 600w Trace stack has gone already and the rest will follow...)
AND I got married eight weeks ago to a hunky young husband-- first time for both him and me!
Wishing you, the ex and the cat all the very best for a happy, healthy future.
