Frank
4886 posts
Jul 23, 2014
12:44 PM
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We all know the best musicians become great often at the expense of neglecting certain things.
We also know fine musicians that could of gone on to do great things in the music world - but decided the sacrifices were to high.
Do you believe you can juggle chasing the musicians lifestyle without sacrificing other areas of your life?
What have you sacrificed (if anything) to get to were you are at as a musician and was it worth it?
Last Edited by Frank on Jul 23, 2014 1:03 PM
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Frank
4888 posts
Jul 23, 2014
1:34 PM
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Are you saying that the devil is in the details? :)
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Diggsblues
1459 posts
Jul 23, 2014
1:37 PM
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So many times harmonica players say to me "Man I wish I could play like you". I'm thinking if you only knew what I've gone through to get here. I often want to say to them are you willing to give a pound of flesh.
It's not a question of worth it but that's the only thing you could do. It's a drive that you can't deny.
I'm not sure what is meant by the musicians life style.
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Frank
4892 posts
Jul 23, 2014
2:37 PM
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J, does that describe you and the course you traveled? If so, do you ever regret the sacrifices? - was it worth the things had to give up to become a musician?
Last Edited by Frank on Jul 23, 2014 2:39 PM
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jnorem
428 posts
Jul 23, 2014
2:41 PM
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@Frank - Yes, that pretty much describes it, for me and a lot of other guys. Yes, there are times I do regret it, particularly when I think about the holes in my education, but I just can't see how I could have ever been anything but a musician.
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Call me J
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Frank
4895 posts
Jul 23, 2014
2:50 PM
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So, that's all you are is a musician - not implying that's not much - but rather asking are you anything else too?
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STME58
998 posts
Jul 23, 2014
3:11 PM
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Frank,
Great topic and I look forward to writing at some more length later. Right now I get to go and lead a band made up of Boy Scouts. Something I would not be able to do had I not paid some dues into the music world.I will be taking a lot of what I have learned from the forum members with me to share with the Scouts. Music can prepare you for life as life can prepare you for music.
They are not so much sacrifices as investments. If you do it wisely and with good council they will pay off at a much greater rate than the lottery you mentioned above.
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jnorem
429 posts
Jul 23, 2014
3:19 PM
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@Frank: Playing music is pretty much all I know how to do, as far as getting a job is concerned, and there just isn't much work these days that pays anything. It started falling off about when the economy took the plunge.
I still get the odd studio call now and then, but it doesn't add up to much.
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Call me J
Last Edited by jnorem on Jul 23, 2014 3:23 PM
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Frank
4901 posts
Jul 23, 2014
5:07 PM
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Sorry to here that J....
If you can land a job as a Cruise Ship Musician, They are rackin in from $2,000 to $4,500 per month, and are paid out either bi-weekly or monthly. And a perk I heard is the cruise line will fly you to the ship and back home, and will include room and board to boot! This is a huge help financially, because less expenses while working on the ship will give you more money to keep in your coffers.
Last Edited by Frank on Jul 23, 2014 5:14 PM
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jnorem
431 posts
Jul 23, 2014
5:12 PM
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Nothing to feel sorry about, Frank. I'm still doing quite well by today's standards. Enough said.
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Call me J
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Frank
4902 posts
Jul 23, 2014
5:19 PM
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I don't feel sorry for you J, was just was sorry to hear that you could be homeless - no more no less :)
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eharp
2190 posts
Jul 23, 2014
6:41 PM
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j- are those things truly a sacrifice?
I think a sacrifice is giving up something you want, or have, that is of value to you.
Not doing the "usually" kid things isn't a sacrifice if you have no desire to play basketball on a dirt court.
an adult working a trade, did he really sacrifice getting a degree?
Or are those choices one makes.
If you don't have it to begin with, you just mad a decision.
After I got my degree in journalism, I took a job in the Gulf of Mexico working on gas platforms. I can't say I sacrificed my career as a writer because it never really got established.
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schaef
32 posts
Jul 23, 2014
6:48 PM
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How much money do you think the very best harp player makes a year?
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jnorem
432 posts
Jul 23, 2014
7:11 PM
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@schaef: Do you mean blues harp player? All things considered, I don't see how even the highest paid blues harp player could be bringing in very much, not in this economy.
That said, I couldn't guess how much such a person actually makes.
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Call me J
Last Edited by jnorem on Jul 23, 2014 7:14 PM
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schaef
33 posts
Jul 23, 2014
7:18 PM
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Jnorem,that's go with any harp player,kinda like being homecoming queen at a plumbers school.
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jnorem
435 posts
Jul 23, 2014
7:26 PM
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I see what you mean, yes.
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Call me J
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Goldbrick
549 posts
Jul 23, 2014
8:10 PM
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Frank- I live in Miami- the cruise ship capital.
My duo partner and his wife used to play the cruise ship circuit for years,
The pay is no where near what you quoted
You are also stuck on the ship playing all kind of crazy hours
I have another friend that does the weekend cruise gigs in the show band-pay is about the same as a regular wedding type band and you need to sight read.
Oh yeah- they dont use harp players
Last Edited by Goldbrick on Jul 23, 2014 8:10 PM
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jbone
1699 posts
Jul 23, 2014
8:37 PM
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At this point in the game I consider myself lucky at least, to have kept a day job of one kind or another for nearly 50 years most of the time. The life on the road and in the joints did have appeal for me but when I was young enough to do it I had very poor skills. Harp wise and life wise. That lifestyle could have killed me or rendered me homeless.
I'm digging where I am at musically at this point. It's not a give everything up deal. I work to finance the house, the car, the meals, the reed plates and gear. When the right opportunity shows up I get out and live the dream for a few hours.
At 59, with no retirement account, I am still working and trying to save up, so I can keep doing music into my late life.
We're restoring a '78 Argosy 28 foot travel trailer and we plan to sell the house and pull it around the country once I am retired in a few years. Gonna see some places, meet the people, and play everywhere we can until we head for the next joint. What could be better? Oh, and fishing some cool spots while we're at it.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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jbone
1700 posts
Jul 23, 2014
8:47 PM
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I wanted to mention too- I smoked for 35 years. Quit 3 years ago and when I look back- at the end I was spending over $200 a month on the habit! Letting them go was a real plus health and finance wise.
I could have buckled down and got a degree back in the day, I'm a bit above average intelligence. But life got me kind of twisted and I settled for several different manufacturing and warehouse type gigs. No regrets, I have been pretty happy for the most part. Anyone can wish, "What if", but I've found that if I do a few simple actions I need not have regrets.
A guy like jnorem who embraced the music life, that to me takes a special kind of courage and determination.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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jnorem
436 posts
Jul 23, 2014
8:53 PM
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@jbone: "A guy like jnorem who embraced the music life, that to me takes a special kind of courage and determination."
Mostly it just takes a complete lack of common sense and responsibility.
And call me J, dammit! :)
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Call me J
Last Edited by jnorem on Jul 23, 2014 8:53 PM
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Gnarly
1069 posts
Jul 23, 2014
9:52 PM
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I have played cruise ships--but they mostly want you to commit to a six month contract.
You might be surprised to find out how much things have changed after six months--like, who's been lovin' your old lady, and how skinny your dog is.
Last time I played on one, they had a norovirus outbreak--just before the ship was to go to the Vancouver Olympics to be a floating hotel for the RCMP.
That screwed up the dining--one of the nicer perks of playing onboard.
Long hours, OK pay for a single, but not great.
It's nice to sleep in your own bed.
Or as Dan Hicks once wrote:
well I never took to ramblin, till I turned 21
then I had a notion to make it on the run
feelin' the blues in the bottoms of my shoes
didn't I know this ol' ramblin's good news
and I go...
reelin' down that old highway
reelin' down cause reelin's my way
and if I don't know your name or your town
re-ee-ee-eee-lin' down
clickity-clack, that ol' railroad track
five'll getcha ten getcha 25 ol' greenbacks
well, I never seen much coin in my bag
I soon got used to that same ol' jag
you got to stand by this word if you wanna do right
if you got a good home, then stay there tonight
unless you wanna eat the dirt and the mud
stay 'way from ramblin' it get in your blood
and you'll go
reelin' down that old highway
reelin' down cause reelin's my way
and if I don't know your name or your town
re-ee-ee-eee-lin' down
Last Edited by Gnarly on Jul 23, 2014 9:55 PM
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STME58
1002 posts
Jul 24, 2014
12:31 AM
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Frank, I reread your opening post and the line "chasing the musicians lifestyle" jumped out at me. That may be the problem for many is that they are chasing a lifestyle rather than making a career plan that involves being a musician. I would advise anyone considering music to get a 4 year degree and learn multiple instruments. A minor in business might be a good idea as, unless you land a job with a Symphony Orchestra, you are going to be an entrepreneur.
THe person I am currently taking Trombone lessons is a young man who is trying to earn a living through music. HE has a network and gets some pretty good gigs (I last saw him in a band backing up Bill Watrous), and he has a pretty full teaching schedule on multiple instrument at $25 for half hour lesson less whatever TakeLessons charges him. I have talked to people who have earned reasonable livings as studio musicians and here in San Diego we have two successful businesses Deering and Taylor, still run by guys who started out building an instrument and ended up with a world class manufacturing firm. Does anyone have some success stories of people earning a modest living as a musician? Most of what I hear are the great celebrities earning millions and the "starving artist". I expect there is a lot bigger middle ground in music than the popular myth indicates.
I listened to all the people that said musicians can't make a living, except for the very few who rocket to stardom. I bailed on music and became an auto mechanic, talk about a low respect career. Fortunately I saw that for what it was and was still able to go back to school and earn an engineering degree which has served me well. I have gotten back more from music than I have put in. The discipline I learned in marching band in high school has served me well. The same is true for the ideas and attitudes shown me by my college theory teacher who was also the orchestra and brass quintet leader. I would say he was my most influential teacher in an academic career that covered music, auto tech and engineering.
I am coming back to music since my wife started behaving like a character in a blues song and I am really glad I have it. Being able to pick up an instrument and be expressive is a great comfort, even if no one is listening. What have I sacrificed for music? Maybe a few hundred hours I might otherwise have spent watching television and a few thousand buck I would have spent on other hobbies. So for me the "sacrifice" was more that worth it, even if I can't play all that well.
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atty1chgo
1017 posts
Jul 24, 2014
4:41 AM
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I'm glad that Frank started up this other thread to continue this dialogue that may have been interfering with kudzurunner's thread about traditionalism. To wit, Goldbrick posted on the other thread the following:
"I think Frank is correct in his assessment, I don't think it was a value judgement
It just becomes an issue of priorities.
Not all of us want to be world class. Most of us ( myself included ) dont have the raw talent so the extra commitment would be a waste of time and delusional to boot. I believe we do all wish to be competent and knowledgeable or else we wouldnt be on the forum.
Knowing your limitations as Clint might say is just common sense. I dont think Frank is saying its a character flaw. Its just the musical equivalent of the old racing saying " speed costs- how fast do you wanna go?"
--- Good points made here. But I guess it also comes down to common sense as well as limitations and priorities. Some musicians have that world class talent, and many with that talent have deficiencies, physically or mentally or otherwise, that bring negativity and demons and strife to their lives despite the talent. Johnny Winter is a great example and there are others that we are acutely aware of. He reached the pinnacles of music, but died in physical and perhaps mental anguish at a younger age because of choices, priorities, and maybe a lack of common sense. And there are others like him who we are all too acutely aware of. For some it is all they have ever known so they keep going with it as a matter of survival. We are all different.
And at what sacrifice? One man's courage is another man's foolishness. It cannot be cubbyholed into one or another so easily. For one, it may not matter to their dignity if they have to beg for money or food because playing the music does not provide them with it. For others, that thought is very foreign and would never be considered. If you can balance all of the things that you want to do, as well as with your needs, with the music, now that is a skill. But you may need a little luck too.
My point is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with deciding that the costs are too high (in other areas of life) which results in letting the music take a back seat to scratching out a material existence or pursuing other avenues of interest. I just have a problem with those decisions being labeled carte blanche to be excuses rather than choices, even if the talent is there.
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Jul 24, 2014 4:52 AM
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Michael Rubin
917 posts
Jul 24, 2014
6:02 AM
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atty1chgo, I am confused why you chose Johnny Winter. You say he died at a young age because of bad choices. I see he died at 70 years old of unknown causes. Is 70 really dying at a young age? Yes, we'd all like to make it to 80 or more as long as we're health in body and mind, but 70 seems pretty long to me. Looking in his obit, I see nothing to suggest his death was caused by poor choices.
As to the thread, once I was living in an efficiency apartment. A man called me for lessons, but balked on the price. I gave him the lowest discount I have ever given, $10 per hour. He shows up, lies down on my bed and says, "You have really suffered for your art."
I have had inexpensive apartments. I have lived with drug addled roommates. I have gone without health insurance and had a major injury during that time. I have had terrible jobs trying to supplement my meager income. I have hurt in my heart trying to find another career (only to return to happiness when I recommitted to music). I have been a part of incredible performances to packed houses only to watch the club or the band leader screw me out of money. I have sat in cars and vans driven long distances by band members on drugs. I have had countless students agree to pay a cancellation fee if they cancelled too close to the lesson or miss a lesson, only to never hear from that student again. Still, to this day, I worry about paying all my bills on time. I only have a small amount in savings. My kid has expressed sadness as I left for a gig. I struggle with singing and have received many a criticism concerning it. I have dealt with many an egotistical musician, manager and sound guy. I am an egotistical musician. I've been bands' booking agent. I have dealt with band leaders or music producers who put me through an unbelievable amount of runaround and time wasting only to hand me the money and say, "Well, that's the easiest 20 bucks you've ever made." and say it publicly, over a microphone. I have had girlfriends leave me when I lost a high paying gig. I have had girlfriends be in an audience, not talk with me at all, who created a story about why I was mad at them and have a big fight with me at break or on the ride home. I have had women I like go for my drug and alcohol addicted abusive bandmember and then spend two years confiding in me about why she wished she could leave him and find a nice guy like me. I have beaten myself up over choosing a nap or a movie over practice. I have spent hours promoting a show when none of my friends came. I have had incredible ego battles about wanting to be more famous or respected or just a better player. I have experienced competitive feelings about other players who were perfectly nice people. I have experienced sadness and doubt concerning whether or not my life has any meaning.
On the positive side, I have been with the same woman for over 10 years, married for 7. I have two kids, one turns four on July 29th, the other is two months old. I "own" a house, 2 cars and a big backyard. I have my health, save for being crazy. I am on good terms with my family. I have been clean and sober for many years. I am in LOVE with harmonica and music in general (I play 11 instruments) and have been for 30 years. I LOVE teaching and performing (in that order) and get to do it every day of my life. I LOVE learning and with music, I get to learn every day.
Compare my life with the majority of the world's population and that whole whine I just spewed adds up to one big "Wah."
Last Edited by Michael Rubin on Jul 24, 2014 6:16 AM
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HarpNinja
3904 posts
Jul 24, 2014
7:03 AM
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Why is this unique to musicians? I would argue it isn't. This is the same plight anyone goes through trying to make a place for themselves in the world.
Life isn't easy for anyone.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
Rock Harmonica Lessons
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HarpNinja
3905 posts
Jul 24, 2014
7:06 AM
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I've never had the drive to try and make a career from music. I chose a "safer" path, but realized long ago that any sort of successful career has the same stress and juggling as being a musician.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
Rock Harmonica Lessons
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The Iceman
1848 posts
Jul 24, 2014
7:14 AM
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Myself, I took a lot of the angst and stress out of this equation and decided to just become third, fourth ,fifth, sixth or seventh best.
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The Iceman
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Goldbrick
550 posts
Jul 24, 2014
8:02 AM
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Back in the day I sacrificed a few virgins.....
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dougharps
689 posts
Jul 24, 2014
9:18 AM
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From years of observation and interaction with professional musicians: While there are some few who achieve great financial success in music (not always those with greatest talent), and others who establish regular income stability, most musicians often struggle their entire lives to get by with irregular income and few benefits. Some people have a calling to play music as their sole career. Many may take day gigs, non musical jobs, to try to fill financial gaps. Some find financial stability in teaching music.
I know and play music with a number of very talented life long musicians who have lived the struggle, have stories of the good times on tour, and often now just get by. Some have finally left the life of a full time musician as they age to get stability and benefits, and they just play part time now.
I didn't take the path of music as a vocation, rather it remained an emotional outlet that helped me survive a 38 year career in child mental health inpatient counseling, Runaway and Homeless youth counseling & social work, and Child Welfare casework. Still, there has always been a song playing in my mind.
It is true that many different vocations call for great sacrifices in hours of work, stress, etc. Certainly my career did. If it were not for music as an emotional outlet I don't know how I would have survived the toxic life circumstances I encountered in my 38 years of human services work. But I had relative financial security and benefits for myself and family in my career, though certainly not great compensation.
After resuming serious study of music in the 90s and working to improve technically and grow big ears, finding acceptance among talented professional musicians after years of improvement is one of the great compliments of my life. Having a talented lifelong professional musician contradict my self deprecation after a solo to tell me, "Don't even go there: you ARE a musician!" is a compliment I treasure. Being welcomed to play on the air with touring pros as a sideman is a great compliment. Last winter when thanking Cash McCall for letting me join the fun and play with him and Bill and Shy Perry on the radio, Cash said, "You could play with anyone!" I am honored to find acceptance among those who have made lifelong sacrifices following their muse. I consider myself a semi-pro musician as I have not made the lifelong sacrifices to music, and do not try to survive on my music income.
Musicians I have known who achieved passing fame and toured nationally have often faded into the background after a few years of success, and resumed the struggles they had on the way up. They are still great musicians. The struggles I refer to are those that some life long musicians on this list have already noted in other posts here and in other threads. Unless you have a patron or attain a teaching position with benefits, or have the right combination of events and talent that you reach stardom (and don't spend all the money!), it is a very tough road to travel.
I have the greatest respect for those who have been called to follow music their entire lives, and who have made and still make those sacrifices.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Jul 24, 2014 9:21 AM
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Frank
4906 posts
Jul 24, 2014
12:07 PM
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Here is an article were Stevie Nicks mentions having abortions because children would of collided with her career.
-----------------------------------------------------
Was there a common thread among her men? "They're all very smart and very loving, and they all had a difficult time with my life and the way that I live it and how busy I am."
For four lovers, a crucial test came when she became pregnant and opted for terminations. "It's always been a tragedy. But they understood." But they didn't really. "Eventually their hearts couldn't take it, they couldn't understand quite enough, how deeply embedded in this I was. And so it eventually hurt them too much and they had to leave, or face devastation on their own."
She put her relationship with her fans before a relationship with one man. Ever since she saw Janis Joplin perform, Stevie has wanted to emulate her, to achieve that state of communion with the crowd. "I just wanted to be in love with my audience and I wanted them to be in love with me back."
But now there is remorse at the havoc her abortions have wreaked on her psyche. "To give up four babies is to give up a lot that would be here now. So that bothers me, a lot, and really breaks my heart.
But they're gone, so..." She composes herself. "But I couldn't have because I was too busy. And I had all these commitments." She wants to adopt, but age and single-parenthood are against her.
"I've also though about having one myself but I'm booked up for the next four years. I don't know if, at my age, I can get pregnant right away, do an album at the same time, have a baby, promote an album, go out on tour with the baby.
So I'm going back and forth in my mind. At 43 years old, my time clock is ticking, so I can't afford to wait around for very long." Surely these are the same excuses she made on the last four occasions -- with two important differences. There is no obvious candidate for the father, and even if there were, the decision totally remains in her hands.
Last Edited by Frank on Jul 24, 2014 12:09 PM
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nacoran
7876 posts
Jul 24, 2014
2:51 PM
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I have made many sacrifices for music, but eventually I ran out of goats and candles, and the virgins kept escaping, and old Scratch wasn't showing up anyway, so I decided to try practice instead.
:)
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Nate
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First Post- May 8, 2009
Last Edited by nacoran on Jul 24, 2014 2:52 PM
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Frank
4907 posts
Jul 24, 2014
3:47 PM
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But what if the choice or reason is actually an excuse...How does one distinguish one from the other? One mans choice is another mans excuse...
There are legit reasons, but it is still an excuse, no?
I choose to garden etc. 10 to 1 to playing music...
On my days off - for every 10 hours of gardening/yard work/random activities - I'll devote an hour or two to music in the early evening.
Could I cut stuff out of that schedule and pursue musical endeavors, yes!
Though I choose not to because they are not only a higher priority to me, but I prefer to be doing them in stead of something involving music.
Personally, I feel they are excuses for why I'm not doing more with music > because, even though I choose to do them -(I don't have to do them)
So that is where I see them as an excuse...because, I can choose not to do them and chase music instead - if I were so inclined to do so!
But, I don't view "an excuse" as a problem, since I recognize it for what it is - {a choice I've made} to make my life more satisfactory at the time being :)
So there can be blurred lines between...
A reason, an excuse, or a choice?
“To rush into explanations is always a sign of weakness.”
Agatha Christie
“Except in a very few matches, usually with world-class performers, there is a point in every match (and in some cases it's right at the beginning) when the loser decides he's going to lose. And after that, everything he does will be aimed at providing an explanation of why he will have lost. He may throw himself at the ball (so he will be able to say he's done his best against a superior opponent). He may dispute calls (so he will be able to say he's been robbed). He may swear at himself and throw his racket (so he can say it was apparent all along he wasn't in top form). His energies go not into winning but into producing an explanation, an excuse, a justification for losing.”
? C. Terry Warner
“Don't bother explaining--I've heard all the excuses and the trouble is most of them are true.”
John Brunner
“Winners look for reasons to do what others have refused to do, while losers always look for excuses to bail out of doing what they need to do to attain greatness”
Constance Chuks Friday
“Success is not as easy as winners make it look nor as hard as losers make it sound.”
Orrin Woodward
“Delay is not a help-mate. The cemetary is full of people who thought they could DO IT tomorrow. Do It Now!”
? Israelmore Ayivor
Last Edited by Frank on Jul 24, 2014 5:55 PM
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Goldbrick
552 posts
Jul 24, 2014
5:58 PM
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I think a lot of us have realized that after a certain amount of time playing-we are in the dreaded area of diminishing returns.
More hours results in very little improvement because the raw talent is just not there. Those extra hours yield very little improvement at that point.
Maybe its time to take up a new instrument where the gains come quickly and the extra hours are enjoyable
The excuse just might be the realization that it would take a ton of work to get just a little better. Thats reality - not an excuse
Last Edited by Goldbrick on Jul 24, 2014 6:00 PM
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nacoran
7878 posts
Jul 24, 2014
5:58 PM
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Frank, obviously, the solution to the gardening vs. practicing dilemma is a harp rack! (Haven't you seen the studies on music and plant growth?)
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Nate
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First Post- May 8, 2009
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Frank
4909 posts
Jul 24, 2014
6:26 PM
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The only thing I would use a harp rack for whilst gardening is as a stake for a burgeoning tomato plant and I've found that fish head fertilizer is superior to music for plant growth and overall health, though music is less smelly - sometimes :)
Last Edited by Frank on Jul 24, 2014 6:31 PM
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Goldbrick
555 posts
Jul 24, 2014
6:44 PM
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Got yer fish heads right here
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dougharps
690 posts
Jul 24, 2014
6:48 PM
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Frank, have you considered that playing harmonica may be your excuse for not being a better gardener? ;-)
****************
I still maintain that it is not an either/or and not a question of excuses or reasons.
It is a matter of life choices we make each day.
It is a matter of the extent to which music owns us and drives us, and the extent of our commitment to music, and our willingness to sacrifice other endeavors to pursue music.
While devotion and hard work will certainly improve our playing, there is no guarantee that if one player rehearses 8 hours a day and another rehearsed 6 hours a day that the 2 extra hours will automatically make a better player. It is not a simple linear relationship.
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Doug S.
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JustFuya
348 posts
Jul 24, 2014
7:06 PM
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Another Dr. Dimento favorite and blues influence:
Thank you. Almost got serious here. Shame on me.
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Diggsblues
1462 posts
Jul 24, 2014
7:14 PM
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That's funny. I actually know Jerry Samuels. He he lives in NE Philly.
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Goldbrick
556 posts
Jul 24, 2014
7:29 PM
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NE Philly is a punchline right there.
Boulevard pools, tomato pies , Kellys happy Tap and Chickie and Petes
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JustFuya
349 posts
Jul 24, 2014
8:08 PM
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I used to call the song in and get air on the good Dr's show when I lived in Atlantic City. My family moved to San Diego in '67 where I then listened to Wolfman Jack from LA.
I recently asked someone why Howlin' Wolf sounded so much like Wolfman Jack. I knew the answer but felt I deserved the spank. Thus is foundation of my pure blues pedigree.
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Goldbrick
557 posts
Jul 24, 2014
8:49 PM
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Dunes til Dawn. Tony Marts- Jerry Blavats Memories
I used to deliver Jerrys paper as a kid. Muhammed Ali had a house on the same block
Dementos show didnt start 'til the early 70's
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jnorem
442 posts
Jul 24, 2014
9:03 PM
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Tony Mart! I had an aunt and uncle who ran a fishing pier right across the street from Tony Mart. Leiland's Pier it was called. My parents would take my brother and I up there during the summer.
I still remember this circular sign thing outside Tony Mart with two posts that had red circles on each end, and they'd go around and around making a red circle. I also remember that one time when we were visiting my aunt and uncle, Conway Twitty was playing at Tony Mart.
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Call me J
Last Edited by jnorem on Jul 25, 2014 6:48 PM
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Gnarly
1071 posts
Jul 24, 2014
10:05 PM
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Back to the original thread--
A lot of what it takes is being crazy.
Think Jason Ricci (no offense meant).
You have to want it (whatever it is) more than anything--then it is yours.
Here I give myself as an example.
Last year at SPAH Suzuki introduced a new and different harmonica, a compact chord, built on a 14 hole chromatic frame.
I have said for many years that I would not pursue chord harmonica, since I play guitar well enough not to need to, and since there are virtually no jobs for a chord player (name three professional chord players, who have no other job), I would not waste my energy.
Then, on the last night of SPAH, I decided to chart out some jazz tunes on the SSCH to see if it was interesting.
It was.
Jump a year forward, after obsessing over this instrument and studying it ON MY OWN WITH NO ENCOURAGEMENT FROM SUZUKI JAPAN OR SUZUKI USA including having to buy my own (albeit at dealer cost), I am now prepared to create significant cognitive dissonance in St. Louis.
Why?
The tiny voice in my head said I should.
That's the real answer to many of Frank's most recent queries--because it seemed like I should.
See ya . . .
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Diggsblues
1465 posts
Jul 25, 2014
4:32 AM
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Goldbrick are you a Philly boy?
Mohammed Ali had a house at one time
on City Line avenue. I think it was owned at
one time by a Mafia Boss.
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Diggsblues
1466 posts
Jul 25, 2014
4:33 AM
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Goldbrick are you a Philly boy?
Mohammed Ali had a house at one time
on City Line avenue. I think it was owned at
one time by a Mafia Boss.
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Goldbrick
558 posts
Jul 25, 2014
4:44 AM
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Yep- I delivered his paper along with the Geator. They lived on the same block in Wynnefield.
Overbrook class of 69, Temple U., Phila College of Art (Franks Bar)
Miami for a long time now.
My brother is still there he is good friends with Steve Guyger. They both do tropical fish
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Frank
4921 posts
Jul 25, 2014
6:41 PM
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A teaching Moment about sacrifice :)
Last Edited by Frank on Jul 25, 2014 6:47 PM
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nacoran
7882 posts
Jul 25, 2014
7:24 PM
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Frank, good for the chicken wing! I got terrible food poisoning once from a piece of celery at a mediocre 24 hour chain restaurant. (It was the only thing everyone at the table had.)
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
First Post- May 8, 2009
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rbeetsme
1568 posts
Jul 26, 2014
5:42 AM
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I have to agree with HarpNinja, any pursuit in life demands making choices. It involves making sacrifices and setting priorities. It's not necessarily unique to musicians.
Last Edited by rbeetsme on Jul 26, 2014 5:44 AM
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