Bluewine

Hi Dave, a little off topic. At 70 managing my behavior sober is a challenge in itself . A few examples: 1. Getting lost on the way to gigs. 2. Getting lost on the way home from gigs. 3. Not remembering the names of people that have been following the band for years. 4. My hearing is so bad my response to anything anyone asks me is " huh ? " 5. Panicking because your rig isn't working a few minutes before you start the show. And you realize you have the volume turned all the way down on your bass or you forgot to plug your bass in. As far as the flashing incident. I didn't see it so I pretended it didn't happen. Our band leader assured me it did indeed happen. Lol Daryl

Age and local or regional band opportunities will vary. I'm not sure what challenges the 70 year old at the local or regional level would bring. Overall I don't think age matters as much as it did 30 years ago. I think understanding how important committing to the "right band" for 70 year olds is crucial. Daryl

Great photos. Daryl

Dave, I love reading your comments. We're always on the same page. Get this, I have constant get togethers for coffee but not with the band leader. I have coffee with her parents. Great folks, but here's the thing. I'm older than her parents. I can't seem to win. Lol

I hate to admit it .Most of our band hijinks evolve around alcohol ( I don't drink)l in someway or another. Like this past New Years when my girlfriend flashed our band leaders father. Daryl

No, and my band suggestions never go anywhere. Here's another thing with age. Take a look at the attached pic. That's Bastille Days in Milwaukee. We have a headliner spot this year at 8:30. Even 10 years ago I would be excited about this gig. Now I'm a little frightened by it. Look at the size of the crowd, you know they'll be a bunch of screwballs in that lot. I'm afraid of being in the city that late at night. Comments Daryl

Happy Easter Everyone I haven't had a gig since 3/8. And no gigs acoustic or full band in April. No communication either. However, the summer schedule looks busy. This is the thing. I'm 30 years older then my band members. I look at being in a band differently than they do. I'm a " 1960s guy". Secondly the other members all have careers outside of the band. Regardless I'm still in the best band I can be in. Jumping ship at this point would get me nowhere. Comments? Daryl

My comment was not entirely fair. I probably saw one of his weaker video clips. Daryl

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