Solo gig

[OHIOSTEVE]

On my way home, wife is driving. 10-2 . I am too old for this shit. Hour drive home. It will be 3:30 or later before we get home. It was fun though.

 

[Dilver]

You don’t say how old you are, but yeah, after a certain age you realize gigging is for young people. I also came to the realization that no one wants to see a bunch of old guys on stage unless you’re playing jazz or bluegrass. Get some sleep.

 

[Wes T]

You don’t say how old you are, but yeah, after a certain age you realize gigging is for young people. I also came to the realization that no one wants to see a bunch of old guys on stage unless you’re playing jazz or bluegrass. Get some sleep.

Don't know about that. Saw Taj last summer, took him 5 minutes to get to the stage from the green room, then 90 minutes of pure joy. You don't get that from a bunch of wannabe shredders or emos. There's a depth that comes with age, when the music becomes more important than the egos. I salute you Steve, and your wife, too.

 

[Dilver]

Don't know about that. Saw Taj last summer, took him 5 minutes to get to the stage from the green room, then 90 minutes of pure joy. You don't get that from a bunch of wannabe shredders or emos. There's a depth that comes with age, when the music becomes more important than the egos. I salute you Steve, and your wife, too.

Big name legends? Of course there are people who will go see them. Stones are still kicking it in their 80s and shows are sold out. But for non-famous older guys, playing in local bars, you’re going on after 10pm, lugging and tearing down your own gear, and barely getting paid. It’s a lot easier and more fun when you’re young and harder when you’re older. I also give Steve a lot of credit for the effort.

And no, other than family and friends, if given the choice, the average bar crowd would rather see a good young band up there, than a bunch of older gray haired guys past their prime, even if they‘re just as good. I don’t make the rules.

 

[Wes T]

I guess it would depend on the bar and the crowd. Urban bars--you are undoubtedly right. I live in a rural area where there is not a whole lot of live music and virtually all there is is both kinds of music (C and W). The quality of the music would count for more than the age of the players. I haven't gigged in years, but I actually have a couple of wine bar gigs lined up this spring. Have a good one!

 

[Deftone]

I keep seeing old guys playing at our local bar. Blues and rock. gotta be in their 60's.

Just saw Soulfy on Wed...Max Cavalera is 51....

 

[wildhawk1]

The late hour never bothered me since I'm a nocturnal type. Prime time is long after sunset.

Age has made me reevaluate what I don't need gear wise heading out the door.

No heavy amps. No hard cases. No pedal boards.

Every pound and piece is multiplied by four when it's....

Carry to car.
Carry to gig.
Carry to car.
Carry to house.

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

You don’t say how old you are, but yeah, after a certain age you realize gigging is for young people. I also came to the realization that no one wants to see a bunch of old guys on stage unless you’re playing jazz or bluegrass. Get some sleep.

I will be 58 this August. This particular bar is full every time I play there. Usually people up singing with me. I posted about this place before. Drunkest per capita bar I have ever been in lol.

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

Don't know about that. Saw Taj last summer, took him 5 minutes to get to the stage from the green room, then 90 minutes of pure joy. You don't get that from a bunch of wannabe shredders or emos. There's a depth that comes with age, when the music becomes more important than the egos. I salute you Steve, and your wife, too.

She is a trooper. Carries more gear than I do usually.

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

Big name legends? Of course there are people who will go see them. Stones are still kicking it in their 80s and shows are sold out. But for non-famous older guys, playing in local bars, you’re going on after 10pm, lugging and tearing down your own gear, and barely getting paid. It’s a lot easier and more fun when you’re young and harder when you’re older. I also give Steve a lot of credit for the effort.

And no, other than family and friends, if given the choice, the average bar crowd would rather see a good young band up there, than a bunch of older gray haired guys past their prime, even if they‘re just as good. I don’t make the rules.

I agree with the older band thing. Even with me in the band with younger guys. I feel like the relic. Solo I don't think it matters as much and I think genre plays a BIG role in it. A 60 yr old guy singing classic country is different than the same guy trying to pull off leather pants, no shirt and trying to pull off glam rock lol.

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

The late hour never bothered me since I'm a nocturnal type. Prime time is long after sunset.

Age has made me reevaluate what I don't need gear wise heading out the door.

No heavy amps. No hard cases. No pedal boards.

Every pound and piece is multiplied by four when it's....

Carry to car.
Carry to gig.
Carry to car.
Carry to house.

100%....my normal night is 2-3am.
I have a big pedal board but no amp. Rethinking that because I cannot replicate the tube amp sound...then I think of the ridiculous amount of gear I already carry.

 

[StubbyJ]

I think it has more to do with overall attractiveness. Our society likes looking at attractive people. A band of overweight 20-something slobs is just as unattractive old guys. There are plenty of over 50 in really good shape who present themselves well. The worst is the over 60 guys with long, jet black hair or the gall still dressing like she's 20. You may need to pick your music and venues. I can think of a few higher tax bracket communities in CO where older bands do very well.

 

[Deftone]

Saw these guys last night...they were awesome.

Didn't ask them how old they were.

 

[Wes T]

I think it has more to do with overall attractiveness. Our society likes looking at attractive people. A band of overweight 20-something slobs is just as unattractive old guys. There are plenty of over 50 in really good shape who present themselves well. The worst is the over 60 guys with long, jet black hair or the gall still dressing like she's 20. You may need to pick your music and venues. I can think of a few higher tax bracket communities in CO where older bands do very well.

There's probably a lessen in there for some younger players. Nothing more sad than old guys trying to be Eddie. Diversify. If you have that kind of talent, you can play all kinds of music. In the long run, you are buying longevity, and guitar is a lifetime fetish.

 

[VictorB]

Saw these guys last night...they were awesome.

View attachment 680336
Didn't ask them how old they were.

They break any strings?

 

[Deftone]

They break any strings?

Not that I noticed? Why?

 

[VictorB]

Not that I noticed? Why?

Just checking.