Too Old To Rock?

[ernstinen]

Hey All,

I've been a performing musician since I was 14. I made my living for 30 years playing guitar, keyboards, sax, and singing at every gig you can imagine.

I did the "original" thang, and it was quite rewarding. I moved to L.A., and my band almost got signed to Atlantic Records. We had a great live show, and A&R people came out of the woodwork to see us! But in the end, it boiled down to one thing: Marketing. The A&R weasels didn't know how to market us. A typical conversation --- A&R: "We love your music, your show, your musicianship, but we don't know how to market you." Me: "Why is that?" A&R: "Because you're too original." Me: "Isn't that good?" A&R: "NO."

So, 20 years later, I'm playing guitar and singing better than I did back then. But reality has set in; I'm well aware that I'm too old to be "signed" as an original act, or even as a singer/songwriter. That's for younger people. It's always been like that... And age also brings up another reality: How the hell are my wife and I going to retire financially? I grew up in the era where "everything's gonna work out --- follow your bliss!" And I did. But it DIDN'T work out the way I thought it would. I put my whole life into my art, and what do I have to show for it? A few bucks in a savings account. Bills. Mortgage payment. You know the drill of being an "adult."

But still, I love playing electric rock guitar. It's a passion of mine, and I believe I'm pretty damn good at it. But the way I roll is giving everything that I do 110%. I've always been like that, and it's just part of who I am... So I'm marketing all my creative skills, and feel optimistic about that part of it. Yet, there's still a nagging voice in my head that says "You REALLY need to get out and gig, make that guitar talk like you do. People will love it!" Yeah, maybe. But this is L.A. There are thousands upon thousands of musicians who will play for NOTHING. And promoters know that... So is spending my time, maybe 1/3 of my waking hours doing something that I KNOW won't bring me in any cash --- Is that worth it? My heart says yes, but my brain says no.

What d'ya think? Thanks for listening,

Ern

[mojobone]

The blessing that comes from learning/knowing the craft? It's never been about the money; money is imaginary, the value is in moving the people, and where we move them hopefully counts for something; it's a heavy responsibility to be a cultural signifier. Sheesh, at Goldman Sachs, all you gotta do is earn; where's the fun in that?

If all you ever did in your life was to make the peoples wiggle their booties, you've done something, after your time on Earth is done. All those poor bastards that did nothing but move numbers around on paper? Maybe they can take credit for raising some kids to do better, but that's about it, imo.

Maybe you remember Aesop's parable about the ants and the grasshopper; me, I always felt sorry for those ants, who knew nothing but work. I hope they at least got to hear that badass grasshopper play the shit outta his fiddle and took some time to dance.

[Kolstad]

You cant give up something you are good at. That is engaved into your personality and identity as a human being. Give it up, and you throw a part of yourself away. Dont stop now, refine, develop and do it even more. Be more you.

[cassmcentee]

Set aside the Past, focus on today

[johnnyrowing]

A question similar to this was asked at one of the mentor's luncheon at the Rally 2 years ago.

I liked what the mentor said, I'm paraphrasing . . . "If you want to quit, you should quit. If you don't want to quit, you shouldn't quit."

I am betting you don't want to quit.

[feaker66]

Hi Ern My feelings. All the music gots no place to go. Keep pluggin...i am at 72

[crashgates]

.

[cosmicdolphin]

The truth is nobody cares about all that.

They don't ask for your curriculum vitae along with the music. They don't want your life story.

Age is irrelevant, as is how you look, where you live, who you know, where you've played and how you almost got signed 20 or 30 years ago.

All they care about is can you make high quality licensable music that is useful for them and their clients, and can you deliver it reliably and consistently.

If the answer is yes, or will become yes after a period of learning then age is no barrier in this niche of the industry.

If you just want to follow your muse and produce highly original material it likely won't be what they are looking for.

Mark

[feaker66]

...i am at 72

here is one track I found on youtube for you freaker, hope you like it : )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrDLl_u806A
Ha Ha I was hoping for some real rock and roll dude sliding out on the floor with his back arched playing a screaming riff. The background music was delightful tho.

i can get pretty animated with our band sometimes. (without a walker) ACDC stuff gets me goin. Yes I sing the fast machine stuff. thanks for this

[paulkearnsmusic]

. I don't intend to stop gigging any time soon and I'm not exactly in my teens myself. Basically, I can't not do it.

Just noticed this thread (nothing gets past me)

I know how you feel but, after breaking my back, I simply can't do it any more. So my playing career (that started when the date started 197..) had to end on the live front.

I'm in Somerset and still try to keep as involved as I can (tricky in a wheelchair).
Keep it live brother as long as you can stand up. There's always younger people to carry your amplifier!!

Take care

Paul