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Michael Sawyer · From: North Carolina, USA

Last night was my final show with the band i been with since early 2019.
No falling out,i gave them plenty of notice.
I am/was the oldest member by 20 years( im 60)
The youngest member is 23....
Got some things cooking,gonna be lookin to play earlier shows,with a more " mature" crowd,more laid back atmosphere.I mean we went on at 10:30 last night and played till 1:45-with a 15 minute break.
Average age in the crowd probably late 20's....i doubt half of them remember a dozen songs we played,lol.
I have been treated very good by these fellas, got paid well,and wish i was half as good of a steel player as they give me credit for being.
I been feeling it for the last 6 months,energy level
Starts dropping of the last hour we play,although the boys say they start feelin zapped about that time of night too...
It's just time to move on.

Frank Freniere · From: The First Coast

Feel ya, Michael. I’m the senior member in my band. No way I could start a gig at 10:30pm now. And it’s hard work to do three hours of playing, let alone loading, travel etc. All the world’s a stage and it’s getting smaller all the time.

Marty Broussard · From: Broussard, Louisiana, USA

Hear ya Michael,
When I retired two years ago Tracy and the crew weren’t expecting it. But I explained to all of them that, even though it wasn’t obvious to them, that I could feel things were getting different and I wanted to gracefully exit on high ground. (Similar to your situation; late nights, extensive hours, being away from my wife/family, open bucket list items, etc). It was THE best gig I ever had in 50 years of playing, but I know I did the right thing. Now, we travel, visit with family & friends, I gig at will, we regularly attend church, and I get to tinker with my tractors and music projects.

Good luck on your new chapter and take care,
MB
_________________
RETIRED

"Technique is really the elimination of the unnecessary..it is a constant effort to avoid any personal impediment or obstacle to achieve the smooth flow of energy and intent" Yehudi Menuhin

Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

I know the feeling. I've pretty much quit playing those kind of gigs. I prefer to play where people sit down, pay attention and listen to the show. Of course, the band has to work with them, you can't just stand there and play one song after another with no interaction with the audience and expect them to keep coming back. I'm fortunate to be part of a band that plays these kind of gigs. We do a lot of MC work, guest singers, and we just signed a contract for the entire year at a venue for at least once per month show.

I knew things were changing away from the traditional country shows when people would request the name of a dance rather than the name of a song. "Could you all play the electric slide?"

RC

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

I go to bed around 10.30. The drive home from those late gigs was murder. Eyesight not what it was and dog tired. I gave it up in my late 60s.

Chris Brooks · From: Providence, Rhode Island

Thankfully, most of my gigs these days start at either 6:00 or 7:00. I was considering going to a jam session last week--but the house band would play a set at 9:00 and jamming would start at 10:00--with who knows how many people on the list!

Get home at midnight? No thanks.

I guess my most extreme gig, timewise, was in the mid 80s, with Ira Allen. At the Stateline Casino in Wendover, NV, we had shows at 11:00 PM, 1:00 and 3:00 AM!

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I remember the good old days. Play from 8:45 to 1:45, pack up (or not), and then head to a nearby restaurant/piano bar that had music and food ‘til 5 a.m.. Thought it would it go on forever.

But now, the world has changed. You’re not safe anywhere, anytime. Maryland’s not a “carry state”, so you’re at the mercy of the myriad thugs and druggies who were so scarce a few decades ago. “This too will pass away.”

It was great while it lasted, though. Oh Well

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Michael:

I read your post with much interest, not to mention 'sympathy'.

I have been retired for four years now (medical conditions dictating things) and, as you described your schedule with those young guys, I just couldn't imagine myself in that scenario. Of course, touring in Britain and further afield from 1960 (when I was up for anything!) until 2019 used to be 'what I did' and I was fine with it.

Latterly, though, all my work was on a theatre stage with a (hopefully) attentive audience. On top of that, 10.30 pm saw me on my way home to bed, wherever that may have been.

It's sobering to realize that, nowadays, I have to summon up the energy to go into the next room to sit and play! At 80, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Best of luck as you continue your musical journey!
_________________
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10s, Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and old Martins.
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Michael Sawyer · From: North Carolina, USA

Fellas as always, y'alls input is much appreciated.
I knew i wasn't the lone ranger on this.
I am told i am a " young " 60- i still work light construction with my cousin about 28 hours a week...my wife and i have custody of our 7 year old grandson.Although i do have COPD, it is not a constant issue.
I have been writing songs,and gonna focus on getting some demos done.I feel like i will be doing the " moose lodge " circuit in 2-3 months,as i have been in contact with some veteran local musicians about putting together something,playing out once a month ,maybe twice here and there...
Maybe i won't be the oldest person in the building,for a change.

Floyd Lowery · From: Deland, Florida, USA

I remember when I decided it was time for me to retire. It was not just the time we stopped playing. Then it was packing up, waiting to get paid, and driving home. At that time of morning no one else was on the road but drunks and cops. I did not want to see either.
_________________
Carter 12 string 4petals 5knees, Mullen G2 3 petals 4 knees
Alesis QuadraVerb, Goodrich Match-Bro II
Peavy Nashville 400 & Session 500

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