Bluewine

I'm thinking that's by design. I thought The Wirebirds we're always wor.king. Blue

I won't complain. I know a few guys that don't have a NYE gig and wish they had. Blue

I disagree, those "bunch of mates" had what it took and the ability for that specific opportunity. If they didn't vthey wouldn't be there. Blue

I live in a relatively large metro area and even here for profit gigging bands are hard to find. Most are "for fun only" and "we only want to gig once a month"opportunities. Blue

Screw that, that could be taking money out of my pocket. Blue

I love you Max! Blue

I don't even have a passport. An example of not being prepared Blue

Not sure how it works but our sound tech upgraded our PA I don't understand it, but there's no more board, no more snake box on stage with leads all over the place There's a lap top and he mixes everything from a tablet Pretty fancy for a bar band .. Blue

The only bad thing about having a great Drummer, when you lose one they're so hard to replace. Blue

I like your list, actually I love your list. It's taken a while but our new drummer has everything on your list. Most important he sings fantastic high harmonies, has a great look, he's a great guy and people tend to gravitate towards him at every gig. Him and his wife set up and tear down his kit in 15 mins. At first I didn't think he was going to work out. Boy was I wrong. We're lucky we found him ( open mic ). Blue

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