I quit full time (club rock band) almost 35 years ago, but never stopped playing. I've had the good fortune to be retired and have some very good friends that just enjoy getting together almost weekly to play whatever the hell we want to, not worrying about how foolish we may sound. In fact, we highly encourage each other to new levels of moosical stoopity and fun (the band is named Cow Jazz). Because of hearing damage, we play acoustically (guitars, Dobro, bass), the only amp being my MB150 for my EB's. Mostly, I now play the upright bass with the band, and, wow, has our music ever changed for the better. We have a much freer feel on the old timey music, American Songbook, and folk stuff we play. Some of the songs still need the fretted or fretless EB's, but it sure is fun playing like this. I admit that I do miss playing out, but our parties do for now. Hopefully, I can find some kind of regular acoustic gig (say, 2-4 nights a month), duo to quartet. If not, I'm still playing from the soul and having fun. Follow your heart, but don't just "stop"...you will have a pretty big hole in your life. Sorry for the long story.
