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Topic: 50 years |
Johnny Cox
From:
Williamsom WVA, raised in Nashville TN, Lives in Hallettsville Texas
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Posted 1 Feb 2020 10:00 pm |
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I realized that this year makes 50 years I've been playing in public or professionally. 53 this summer since I started playing.
I did my first paying gig with my dad and his band in 1970. I can't believe I'm still doing it.
_________________
Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967. |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 2 Feb 2020 12:52 am
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Musicians are a different breed. Most people dream of the day they can retire - musicians dread the time they're forced to.
We must be about the same age, Johnny. Although I've mostly earned my living in other ways, I've been performing since I left school. But I've only been playing PSG for six years so I'm still learning fast, and hauling way more gear than ever before!
I'm good for a bit longer and I hope you are too
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 2 Feb 2020 1:54 am
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| Ian Rae wrote: |
Musicians are a different breed. Most people dream of the day they can retire - musicians dread the time they're forced to.
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Exactly right. Like Johnny and many others I've been at this for about 55 years. Retiring from the day job after 45 years couldn't come fast enough, retiring from playing music is NOT in the cards.
After retiring from the day job in 2015, the learning curve for music ( Steel and guitar ) has dramatically increased. I no longer have that silly day job getting in the way !
I'm still out around 60 gigs a year, one gig, 2 x month , I've been on for 5 years ! Its a glorious life !
Congratulations to Johnny, 50 years is incredible ! 
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
Last edited by Tony Prior on 3 Feb 2020 4:29 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 2 Feb 2020 2:49 am
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I remember the "young kid" that could play well that would come into Little Roy Wiggins music store in 1971. Good trip since then.
I started playing in a band in 1959 and can't believe that at age 82 I'm still picking in a working band and doing regular weekly shows (and Cowboy Church on Sunday's).
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 2 Feb 2020 7:14 am
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I was playing on a local radio program in 1954! 
Erv |
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Floyd Lowery
From:
Deland, Florida, USA
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Posted 2 Feb 2020 7:38 am
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I was playing the Dixie Jamboree on WVOK in Birmingham, Ala. in 1949. I haven't played out anywhere in several years. Moving the equipment and traveling those 2 land roads late at night just got to be too much.
_________________
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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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 2 Feb 2020 9:48 am
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I first played in public in 1957 but the less said about that performance the better, probably.
I was playing 'pro', though, by 1960 so 2020 marks sixty years of keeping a roof over my head exclusively from playing music.
It's a sobering thought!
_________________
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10s, Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and old Martins.
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Dick Wood
From:
Springtown Texas, USA
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Posted 2 Feb 2020 3:27 pm
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I've been playing anything from 6 nights to 1 or 2 over the last 41 years. I often wonder when I will quit but then the phone rings and I'm loadin up my gear and headed to some ole beer joint to either play with old friends or sub with new ones.
_________________
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night. |
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Kevin Fix
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 2 Feb 2020 7:19 pm
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| Last year was the first time in my life I ever considered quitting. Getting older, health and tired plays into a lot of serious thinking. I figured on quitting last year in December. Did not work out as I figured!!! The group I have been with for the last four years has us hooked up for 2020, starting with a Gospel Concert March 28th. We do County Fairs and Festivals. The guys and gals in the group are great people and fun to be around. My problem is that I am to loyal. I guess I will go it another season..... |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 3 Feb 2020 4:27 am
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| Erv Niehaus wrote: |
I was playing on a local radio program in 1954!
Erv |
My first car was a 54 Chevy !
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 3 Feb 2020 8:01 am
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Yep, those were the days.
Erv |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 4 Feb 2020 9:19 am
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I have been playing for 62 years.
My 1st song I sang and played was "Poor Little Fool" by Ricky Nelson and was paid with a silver dollar.
Such good memories!
_________________
Private one on one lessons available
Member: FSGC, PSGA, TSGA
Co-founder: Florida Steel Guitar Club
"Steel guitar is like playing chess in the dark with three players". Jeff Newman quote from 1997 seminar |
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