Bluewine

It doesn't seem like playing bass comes naturally to him. Flea always seems to be struggling when he's playing. Daryl

Nice pics Dave. Daryl

We only have 2 music stores in my town. One is primarily sheet music and band instrument rental for the High School. Not a place for buying gear. The other store provides a lot of lessons for guitar , bass and keys. Again not a place to buy gear. Daryl

They're America's bar band. They're all still alive and probably play at least 200 nights a year I use to see them back in the early 70s before they were famous. They would play at the " sock hops" at my university Daryl

Shenanigans, lol Daryl

There's so many variables here. I was still working when I joined Maple Road in 2009. For me it seems like managing money became a lot easier after I retired. It seems like I have more disposable income now. I have less expenses as a pensioner. Daryl

Tom performs exclusively with 12 strings these days. Daryl

I always think, if a venue can pay for 3 hours they can surely afford to pay for 4 hours.lol Daryl

MSB, I'm sure you'll be fine. I'm 70 and I get it. For me I think performing with younger musicians helps. I think it helps me. I have a tendency to be stuck in the 60s & 70s. Daryl

I'm studying stage presence of the older rock guys. I'm stealing a lot from Tom Petterson ,bass player from Cheap Trick. Tom is 74, he's not all over the place like he was in his 20s but he still has a cool onstage presence. This clip is pretty old. Daryl

Thanks Stewblack, I'm not sure I've ever been cool. These days it's all about staying healthy. Without it nothing else matters Daryl

4.5 hours, I might have been able to pull off a gig that long 10 years ago. 4 hours use to be the standard for US bar gigs. Now its seems like it's mostly a 3 hour standard. Daryl

Nope, a 2017 4 cylinder Ford Focus with 50k miles on it. Lol Daryl

I didn't take your comment as Snarky. I think it's great hearing how we're all experiencing different aspects of being a musician. Daryl

Dave, It's really a busy hobby for me too. I draw a pension the gig money is extra but like you said, it's helpful. It became more serious for me when I started to find myself with months where gigs were netting me an extra $500.00 a month. That's a mortgage payment. Anyway, so there's no confusion, I'm not a professional musician. I'm a lucky guy with a busy hobby and I make a little money Daryl

If I was brokering the deal I think I would have opted for more money. Daryl

Congratulations 🎊 You've beat the system. Your 78 and still a very active musician . Staggering you are a lucky guy. I'm 70 and hope to follow in your footsteps Daryl

Just an example of band communication. Here's a text from my band leader. "Hey guys! I know I got confirmation from everyone for Maple Rd @Tiki Resort in Elkhart Lake for Sun 7/28. The time would be 4-8 pm with 3 extended breaks, is that ok with everyone?" A four hour gig is a bit much for me, however I'm ok with it. Would you be ok with it ? Daryl

Very astute commentary. I bet many who dismiss this have probably auditioned not knowing the band had already picked who they're going to hire. Daryl

We lost Eric Carmen (74) from The Raspberries and solo artis this week. RIP Daryl

Agreed We're all going to have different standards and things we're looking for in a band. I always stress, ask key questions prior to the actual audition. Daryl

Slightly off topic Auditioning is really a " tough nut". Think about it, usually your going to end up in a room of complete strangers where most of us know very little about the band. And the band knows very little about you . I liken it to a blind date. If you don't do your homework and ask key questions prior to the audition your asking for disappointment. Agreed? Daryl

I get where your coming from. We all have different backgrounds and experiences that form our positions. For me the money thing started when I was 12 in 1966. My little band played for a summer backyard large family party. After the gig a family elder walked up to us and handed each band member a 20 dollar bill. Twenty dollars for a 12 year old in 1966 was a lot. I thought I had "made it" in show business. I've been a "money guy" ever since. Daryl

Most of you know, I'm an old retired bass guitarist from the 60s and 70s. I get the whole " this is my hobby, I'm not in this for the money" thing. I hear it from several of my friends that are my age (70). One of them always says "I don't care if I get paid, I just want to play" I'm quite different I have worked hard over the years studying bass, practicing and gigging. I love the fact that I have a skill I've invested in that I'm financially compensated for. I actually take great pride in it. I always have fun gigging. Getting paid to have fun is awesome in my opinion. Am I off base ? Daryl

In my scenario it would have been an hour one way to rehearsals probably more for gigs. They were right, I lived too far away. Daryl