Bluewine

We play the same bar every NYE. It's always a fun gig, great hours too 2:00-7:00pm. We always pack the place, were friends with the owner (very nice lady) we play this club several times a year. The cash register is always burning up on NYE. We get our regular fee, but the tips are fantastic and the owner always pays us an extra $100 00. So it's always at least $150.00 a man gig. It pays my month condo association fee. Blue

Good idea. Blue

Yes, this what I'm getting at. Blue

Agreed Blue

I doubt I would have what it takes to tour at what you feel is low level touring or touring with Paul McCartney or The Rolling Stones. Blue

Again, that's a different topic. "Big time" was only pertaining to my passion. This is about those that have a great passion to make a lfull time living from music and finds when given the opportunity they don't have the ability, they don't have what it takes. It could even be the person that's passionate and fancies himself a music teacher and when given the opportunity finds out he's in reality an awful teacher not suited for that kind of work. If you achieve your passion from being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people means you have the ability, you have what it takes. IMO Blue

A lot of Gary Lewis & The Playboys and Paul Revere & The Raiders. Blue

I'm no huge Jaco fan but only because I really can't comprehend how someone can play at that level. For example, right now I'm listening to a lot of Gary Lewis & The Playboys and Paul Revere & The Raiders. That stuff I can comprehend. For the haters, imagine what it was like for us old guys. We started out listening to Paul McCartney and within a short period of time the instrument had evolved into what Jaco showed us. We didn't see 40 years of other virtuosos. In other words, you had to be there. Blue

Me too. A couple of guys I stated out with back in the 60s made it to the "big time" and I always judged myself against them. Until recently I realized I'm lucky to be where I am. I'm a happy and content B list local bar band guy. Blue

Humor doesn't always transend in text. My point, every 16 year old guitarist worth their salt in my neck of the woods at the time could nail Stairway To Heaven. At the time you couldn't walk into a music store where some kid wasn't playing it on a guitar he couldn't afford. I think we're on the same page. Blue

I know, I just hope the gigs keep rolling in. Blue

Along with a million other 16 year olds around the world. Blue

Thanks guys, great comments and opinions. Blue

Depends, in my area places for rock bands to play are rapidly becoming far and few in between. You've never heard this; 'Oh, that place, they don't book bands anymore" Blue

My sympathies, I complain a lot and after hearing your story I have nothing to complain about. I've been in a very popular working blues /rock bar band for the past 6 years with not only good Musicians more importantly good people. Living in an area where there are no decent musicians to play with must be frustrating. I hope things change for you in the near future. Blue

Well, you never know. There might be new BC members that don't know my position. Plus the whole "Proud B List Bar Band Player" is sort of a new tag phrase for me. (: Blue

Good point, And now that I think about our gig count is down. But as I look at it closer, we dropped a few clubs and bars that were not a good for us or any rock band for that matter. Blue

I would never call any thread stupid. However, you make a good point. The rock world is shrinking fast. I can't speak for jazz. Blue

I am not sure everyone understands how important the "fun" element of gigging actually is. I make it my business to have fun at every gig. However I don't play for fun, I play for money. Since I'm being paid, what I like or don't like doesn't come into the picture. I'm paid to play the songs our band leader calls, not what I like. "Fun" is a requirement for my band the minute we arrive at a gig. I'm a proud B list bar band player. Blue

I'm not inspired by Jaco either It's hard for me to be inspired by someone where there's no way on earth I could replicate or draw from such a high level of skill, talent and ability. Blue

It happened to me this past Saturday night. My Line 6 wireless failed, fortunately it was during the sound check. I'm still not sure what the problem was because the receiver was getting the signal but it wasn't making it's way through my pedal train to my amp. Blue

Interesting, a very good friend of mine toured Britain this past summer. He's now on his way to New Zealand and Australia. Blue

If I had what it takes to tour as a professional bass player I would evaluate tour opportities on a case by case basis. Blue

What I described was meant as example of why I personally don't have what it takes. Not the level of a tour. That's another topic. Blue

Col2, Agreed and great point for a different thread about and focused the value of passion Blue