Not sure why--maybe its an age thing I play music more than I ever have and have added both bass and mandolin to my skill set over the last year and in fact recently did my first mandolin sideman recording session
I still practice with 2 bands but generally will give gigs to others unless its a venue I really like
It just seems weird after chasing gigs since I was 12 ( 50 some years) that I dont really care to perform
oh well- probably gonna have a bunch of amps and mics for sale
I enjoy playing out, but chasing gigs to make some money doesn't appeal so much. I play as a sideman in a few duos and small bands, and I share in fronting one band. A few gigs a month is about it. The money is modest, and I could not support myself with music even if I gigged a lot more. At this point I do it mainly for the joy of it.
If I don't have gigs scheduled I go to the weekly local Hootenanny, where a number of different players and groups welcome me as an accompanist. It is fun and good practice at learning to play new material by listening to the front man/woman and watching them carefully as they play guitar.
Most of my playing is through my Ultimate 58 straight to the board or at the Hootenanny through their stage condenser mics. I am trying to downsize on amps (too many not being used!), though I will keep the harp mics for now. ----------
I knew a guy once, talented vocalist who played drums, who had an expression: "Twenty years in the business, know what I mean?" I recently turned down a gig that I had played the previous three years, but for these reasons: it's a marathon (people are running past), it starts before the sun comes up, and it's only a bill ($100). So, yeah, I'm losing it. Of course, if all I had to play was harmonica, I might feel differently! Oh yeah, and it's in North County San Diego (Carlsbad), so although I can get there in half an hour, it will take an hour (at least) to get home--I know this because I have a steady nursing home gig in that town. At rush hour it's over an hour to get home. Half the time the GPS routes me through Escondido to get back to the Balboa Park area.
Last Edited by Gnarly on Dec 10, 2017 9:11 PM
I would LOVE TO HAVE SOME GIGS! And yes, I'm 62 and been at it for over 20 years most of the time. I was kind of a late bloomer, got started with actual public playing with bands in my late 30's. I am still in my prime, I think I'm still improving, and Jolene and I are definitely ready to carry on. We are not in a place we feel any love for our brand right now unless a winter farmers market will take us on. Then again we may be moving again next month. To yet another state. If you're tired of it all, I guess you should follow your heart. I'm following mine too. ----------
I love gigging. The audience engagement is part of the performance, and the spontaneous improvisation is magic.
I hate gigging. It is almost always too loud, by the end of the night. Equipment problems and sound system gremlins are a constant battle. Set-up and break-down is no fun. Politics among band members gets old.
Funny - I just canceled a gig yesterday because it was too cold. I know, I know. Pathetic. But my bones are old, I only get $100, I have to carry in lots of equipment, and no one seems to care when I play. ---------- www.thebluesprofessors.com
At 62, I love to gig. In a country band and a coffee house duo currently, neither is loud. Neither plays much. I get to set in with some pretty good bands also. Do a couple of tunes than go dance. That, to me, is even better. It's a complement and an honor to be asked up. Give it a break Goldbrick, the desire will probably return. You'll know when your ready. Just keep a harp in your pocket and enjoy whatever happens. Good luck to ya...
Glad I'm not the only one who has hit this wall. After playing 100+ nights in 2014, gigging and desire to play was down to 6 nights in the last year. It's not a matter of not staying fresh - I've constantly expanded my repertoire, written 70+ songs in the last few years, and usually play only with quality, traditional players, not loud guys with something to prove and nothing to say.
Jimmy Rogers told me how he, Muddy, and Walter referred to themselves as the "Headcutters" and would go club to club in the early 50's to sit in and "cut head". I always liked that model and had some guitarists I'd do that with - satisfying. But after playing 50+ years, that's seldom enough to get me out the door. I put together music & arrangements for a CD and even that's not enough to want to get it recorded. Still, I'm hoping for some new inspiration, because I remember what it felt like when I was enjoying playing. But maybe inspiration is like depression and sciatic nerve pain - it shows up, and goes away...when it wants to. ---------- BnT
Well yeah, I'm not giving up playing music, I just don't need to do it for money. Or in public, although I agree that the audience is part of the equation. When the axe becomes a shovel, put it down. Lotsa younger folks want to be heard, good on 'em. I'm still answering the phone tho!
I know part of the problem is the changing demographic in my part of the world If I could play straight blues or early country all night I would probably gig. We used to get a lot of European tourists down here that loved American music--now its mostly South American and they ( in my experience ) are not interested in that type of music they seem to prefer their own dance music or pop/rock stuff
I write a lot of songs, work on my mandolin skills and give a few guitar lessons which I really enjoy Also been doing a lot of first position harp stuff that I had neglected before
I love being involved with music-- just dont have much urge to entertain or play stuff I dont like
+30 years of blues now I'm doing all the other stuff and for me it's a new lease of sorts. New gear has been fun too. Pedal board through the PA. I'm still playing in a big band with the 4-10's but the duo has been a whole lot of fun. It's nimble and all the harp technique isn't lost in the wall of sound. Feeling lucky.
I've done at least 30+ like Littoral. I've burned out a few times. At present I don't even have a band. It is a strange feeling (not having a band) but I still go out to play w/ other peoples bands to fill in for their harp player or go to clubs, parties, or friends places to jam.. It's fun for me when someone else takes care of the business end and even calls the tunes. My fav is playing tunes on the spot in odd keys and songs I don't know or have ever heard of before that minute.
Even though I'm not playing much, to this day I can't walk into a club w/out checking my watch to see what time I'm going on. Just the smell of a club and I'll check my watch. Habit... ---------- Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time. Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark .
Last Edited by MP on Dec 11, 2017 6:12 PM
This is the kind of stuff I love to play and grew up on--but not very commercial I am afraid. Even South Fla Folk fest that we usually play rejected us for using drums this year-- cant win-too trad some places not enuff others Didnt think my drumming was outside the folk realm -who knew ??
Last Edited by Goldbrick on Dec 12, 2017 8:00 AM
I enjoyed the video, it was fun and the playing was great!
Every genre has self appointed police who will step forward to define the boundaries of what is acceptable and exclude that which does not conform to their definition. Bluegrass, blues, jazz, folk, etc. all have such guardians. However, the people who are on the boards of the events and put in the time to create the events, as well as the donors and sponsors get to decide who will be heard at an event. If the event didn't set ANY limits at all you would have folk fests with death metal bands at high volume. It is an issue of who gets to decide and what boundaries.
I value more eclectic acceptance of different music styles. Our local Hootenanny allows only acoustic performances, but doesn't define genre. The young musicians who organize it and perform are supportive of a wide range of genres so long as the musicians are playing live acoustic music. Drums ARE allowed, though you have to set up quickly for your short set. Cajon is more common than a full kit, but your duo would fit right in. Our local Folk & Roots Festival offers variety, too.
Here is a local band at the Hootenanny showing some diversity in acceptable genres. Definitely not bluegrass or traditional folk!
Here is one from the 5th anniversary when a local band invited others up to jam in their last song. Usually they play amplified, but are acoustic at the Hoot...
Been gigging close to fifteen years. Started with rare opportunities to perform and grew to around 90 gigs per year for a few years. All local. I have played with same three duos for years and have gone through hot and cool periods with them all, but now it’s all just good. Not playing the 90 gigs this year, everybody has backed off a bit which is fine. When you’ve got the family and the day job, that’s a lot of gigs to be playing. I’m not tired of it, because the gigs are mostly inspiring to do. There’s always someone who likes what we do and tells us. The gigs help me to keep honing my playing, and each of these groups I’m in keep evolving in some way. We’re also always attempting to get better at what we do, so that feels good, too. And the gig income, although not a lot, is a welcome addition to the budget. I’m sixty, and my music buddies are all well into their sixties, but I hope we don’t stop anytime soon.
