stop playing in bands

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 26 Oct 2012 5:02 am

great to here about this topic from other steel players. i am going to be 65 in dec. i am slowing down a bit but, still play once a month. i do play six string. but not with a band. i am going go back to playing steel and six string next year. i do love to play out but, times are tough these days with what is happening in the u.s. clubs are harder to fine and the pay isn't that great but, like i saided i still love to play out. let's here some more of you guys
p.w

Roger Francis · Post by **Roger Francis** » 26 Oct 2012 6:16 am

For me its mainly number 4, the other two musicians ive played with for the last 25 yrs drummer and guitar player still want to play but cant find a singer or bass player thats worth leaving the the music room over (talent wise) plus there seems to be less places to play other than some animal clubs, i would still like to play at least a couple weekends a month.

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 26 Oct 2012 8:59 am

7 bands in the last 2 -1/2 years.
Nope, I'm not gonna stop. It's too much fun when it's actually working.
It's all about priorities.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 26 Oct 2012 6:18 pm

I don't see "Disagreements with musical director" on the list. That's why I quit about a year ago.

Bryant Aycock · Post by **Bryant Aycock** » 26 Oct 2012 8:51 pm

A little of #2 and a lot of #4. I play Traditional Country Music. Most guys just don't get it. Bass players can't shuffle, drummers have a problem with volume. Guitar players don't know who Jimmy Capps is and they think it's all about them.

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 27 Oct 2012 12:02 am

A big NO to all points.
Who says you have to play out with a band?
Would you like to wait till your light goes out behind the windows, afraid for the cruel world and back away more and more from a social life?
I guess it's time to realise what you really expect from life and music. I guess we are all blessed with a gift to make music. There are more people out there having that.
Why not enjoying making music together with others, without expecting money, high quality and applaus. Try to find a direction where pleasure, enjoying music, laughing , crying and other emotions are the biggest goal. Where a will is, there is always a way. Don't give up on your great gift of making music, it is giving up a great deal of your life.. my 5 cts.
JJ

Bud Angelotti · Post by **Bud Angelotti** » 27 Oct 2012 5:16 am

Well said Johan !!

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 27 Oct 2012 6:55 am

I think it all depends on Why you play ? Whether for a living,Or fun,Hobby ect..If its for a living then its easy to quit when the groceries in the cupboard are few..If its for fun then, when it becomes a Job and it does more often than not, that makes it easy to quit..When it is left up to you to keep things going..Its easy to just plain lose interest..Then theres the just plain knowing when it's time.Not many can know that before other people see it...And when the people who supported the music have mostly all passed on..Its nice to be able to continue if age and health issues don't interfere,If there is an audience that continues to enjoy your efforts..But for every individual it's best to know when its time to enjoy the rest of ones life prioritizing what is important for the remainder of it..

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 27 Oct 2012 7:13 am

Well said, Joe. Amen.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 27 Oct 2012 11:17 am

I don't have a band. I was invited to bring my steel to a session that's held in a bar. There was a singer/ guitarist who could sing a few steel- friendly songs and I played along.
Next time I had my steel already assembled, but he didn't show up. The other guitar players didn't even know one single country song, so I grabbed a guitar and sang a few myself, with a heavy metal drummer and a quite cabable bass player.
But it made me wonder why I learned to play steel at all. I don't want to brag, but as a guitar player I know songs from many genres, but they obviously don't.

Dave Potter · Post by **Dave Potter** » 27 Oct 2012 5:17 pm

Jim Sliff wrote:But I'm finding that the So Cal music scene is definitely alive - IF you don't lock yourself into one style of music (i.e. traditional country-only players don't seem to understand the lack of calls)

I'm one of your "traditional country-only" players, and I most definitely "understand the lack of calls". The point is, if that's what I enjoy playing, a "lack of calls" to play something else is unimportant to me.

It's my hobby. Hobbies are supposed to be fun. If I don't get "calls" to play styles I'm not interested in playing, I'm happy with that.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 28 Oct 2012 4:18 am

Good topic..
I have not been playing out for a "none of the above" reason. so I'll add it into the mix..

#6- Catastrophic Tinnitus

Personally, I would probably be still out there gigging, but my T is so severe that I really am not sure if I could or should.. Thats what playing in loud bands has left me with.
Actually, I am looking for some folks to play with at quieter volumes, perhaps some sort of semi acoustic band, but there are no opportunities for a 58 year old steel/ lead guitar /vocalist in this area.. Probably could hook up with some sort of half assed "modern country" band with a bunch of young poser/Jason Aldean wannabees, but that would be torture, and to be honest I would rather listen to my frighteningly loud tinnitus.
So yeah, the search goes on for something I can relate to musically, and something that will do no more damage than I already have, but to be honest, I have my doubts it will ever happen... bob

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 28 Oct 2012 6:03 am

joe casey said :When it is left up to you to keep things going..Its easy to just plain lose interest..Then theres the just plain knowing when it's time.Not many can know that before other people
i think joe said this right. for me, it is left up to me to get the gigs players and so on, likei said i still like to play but,, it;s getting harder for me to get up steam to play out. right now i am working with a bass,,lead , and drummer who share the same musical idea's so i am happy right now with what i have.

Dave Potter · Post by **Dave Potter** » 28 Oct 2012 9:38 am

Bob Carlucci wrote:Probably could hook up with some sort of half assed "modern country" band with a bunch of young poser/Jason Aldean wannabees, but that would be torture, and to be honest I would rather listen to my frighteningly loud tinnitus.

Ain't that the truth. All the "new country", "alt country", "country rock" ....whatever hybrid name's in vogue today...they can call it what they want, but none of it's "country", and I'd rather light my hair on fire and beat it out with a tack hammer than play it. I recently passed on an offer to join a group that was playing that garbage. It's noteworthy that you don't hear much steel in it - I think steelers are more discriminating.

Mike Archer · Post by **Mike Archer** » 28 Oct 2012 10:24 am

I understand how you guys feel
I feel the same way
its such a hassle trying to play in bands
music has changed even though we dont like it
not for the best
and then theres the folks who want
songs I never heard of
so I see plan what yall are saying
Mike

Rockne Riddlebarger · Post by **Rockne Riddlebarger** » 28 Oct 2012 11:36 am

In 50 years of performance I've been up against all of your catagories plus a few more. 2012 is my first year of retirement from regular day job work (const. trades) and now I get to be a full time musician. It has taken 9 months of hard work, networking with people and hitting every open mic in Cincinnati but is finally paying off. I got lucky and was included as a member of a really good band, in fact they say I'm the star of the group. We're playing a lot of honky tonk but with many other types of music and styles thrown in. I take it as a challenge to put good west coast type steel guitar into things that I normally would not do on my own. Our audience tells us that the steel guitar in the band adds a refreshing sound that has been missing for a long time, of course I've said that for years! So don't despair, keep diggin around and you find a good band to be with. Our band bookings have jumped since I started playing with them because of that cool steel guitar sound.

Don Drummer · Post by **Don Drummer** » 28 Oct 2012 12:02 pm

Pick "till you die!

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 29 Oct 2012 4:12 am

#6...Karaoke has taken over
#7...Too many egotistic *&^%$#*'s

Carlos Polidura · Post by **Carlos Polidura** » 29 Oct 2012 7:20 am

One great question with so many answers to give... I still gig but not like I used to for that many reasons...

and perhaps more. $:\$

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 29 Oct 2012 5:00 pm

Young people today are interested in technology, not music or face to face social interaction. They like to hide behind texting or a computer. Something really wrong and unatural about that.

Rick Schacter · Post by **Rick Schacter** » 29 Oct 2012 6:23 pm

6. Because performing wasn't fun anymore and recording became more interesting.

Rick

Jani Peter Sandvik · Post by **Jani Peter Sandvik** » 29 Oct 2012 10:40 pm

Add #8: dominating bandmembers

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 30 Oct 2012 10:45 am

I guess my main problem is folks who ego's are too big.
A lot of so called rhythm players here, learned three chords and discovered the Capo. Too many folks think country is blue grass. Bass players who are limited to the first and the fifth.Lead players who play on top of everyone and drummers who can't play a rim shot or have no touch at all.
Why does anyone quit learning ? I will be eighty in April and I am still learning. If the desire to learn wasn't present I would just quit.
It isn't about money either. After playing a four hour gig and driving home thinking, why do I do this, there was no satisfaction, I am ready to give it up.
Sometimes I wonder how "music aware" the audience is too. I have folks tell me how great our band is, after one of the worst nights of my life.
So I guess that almost all the numbers apply to me. But I'll never quit.
I been doing this since I was twelve years old and it's in my heart and soul.

Old Bud

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 30 Oct 2012 1:15 pm

Still working gigs, mostly trio outings though,4 or 5 / month Telecaster and 6 String Fender Lap...the 5 piece band works at least once a month and I do pull out the D-10 for that...I work with two much younger fella's, brothers, we have been playing out together for about 8 years now...our set list is NOT Country anymore but can be on a dime..we do play Country during each set but it is not dominant. Rock, Pop, Blues, BGrass..etc..Clapton, Eagles, Petty, as much as we can muster up. We may be one of the only groups in town doing songs like Hotel California for example, trading guitar solos' just like the REAL guys ! It's demanding but fun..plus the trio gigs are earlier and shorter and in most cases included pay and comp for dinner and a couple of beers..I'm usually home by 10:30...

yes..I am just shy of 30 years older than the two brothers..but not old enough to shut it down yet.AND..still carrying a TWIN REVERB to the big gigs...

In the Charlotte area, the duo/trio gigs have really taken over the scene..it seems there is something going on in town every night at multiple places...reasonable pay as well...but it ain't a Country gig...it includes Country ...

t

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stop playing in bands

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