Hey guys, I haven't seen Uncle Dave around here since I last dropped by. Where has he gone? I hope you're doing okay UD, haven't talked to you in a long time.

Dave no longer plays out.....he has taken on a new life & new profession.
We wish him well.

Really? I did not know that...I wish him well too in his new career.

I'll miss him at the Crab Trap.
Jerry

But does he still play the keyboard?

I also wish him well but
May I ask what the new profession is?

I also read Don Mason took a day job but he didn't give up performing did he?

Is it the changing nature of the business or just personal choice for these two fine players.

[This message has been edited by mikeathome1 (edited 07-13-2006).]

Best wishes to you and yours, UD, where ever life's path takes you ...
t.

My decision was based on the fact that I have a son who is a senior in high school this year. He will be playing basketball 2-3 nights a week and a I want to be able to watch him play. I also have a new grandson in Oklahoma and I want to be able to take an occasional weekend trip to see him.
Having been a full-time entertainer for around 30 years has kept me from doing a lot of these things. Musicians must work nights and weekends, unless you do nursing homes or retirement centers full-time.
With my new job, I'm still mostly my own boss and it allows me to pick and choose which music jobs I want to take.
My plan is to work pretty hard for the next few years and build up some extra retirement money!
I will continue making music, just on a reduced scale, as long as the job works out. So far it is going fine.
Actually, today I am officially eligible for Social Security, having been born 7-13-43!
Thanks,
DonM

[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 07-13-2006).]

Happy Birthday Don!

George Kaye

Happy Birthday Don!
I understand completely and made the same choice myself a few years ago. I was playing everybody elses family functions and missing my own.
Up here in central NY there are less and less places that have entertainment anymore, besides the casino I can't think of one restaurant that has any kind of entertainment. Most entertainment around here is Karaoke.
I guess I was wondering if that is happening in other parts of the country also.
When I was a kid (40)years ago there was a band in every bar on every corner, or so it seemed.
Now you have to go to some sort of resort or tourist destination to see live music.
There are a few bands around town but most of them do it for love not money.
My part time high school job was playing at the airmans club on the base fri and sat nights.

P.S. Nursing homes around here pay about $50 for a one hour show.



[This message has been edited by mikeathome1 (edited 07-13-2006).]

Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday to Don M. and Many more.
Mike, c'mon over to San Jose, CA. we have hundreds of clubs that have live music 7 nights a week and mostly a different group every night. Some use DJ's on quite week nights but most do not.
Bebop

Happy Birthday Don !!!

Thanks guys, I'm off to meet my wife for lunch, because it's her birthday too, only she's 16 years younger than I am.
Funny thing, since I've tried to cut back on playing music, I'm getting more and more calls. Go figure!
DonM

Don my wife just left to meet someone else for lunch...She bought me donuts and left them here for me...

Fran,

The guy she's meeting is 16 years younger than you!

Happy Birthday Don and Susan.

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Hey Happy Birthday Don and I hope you have a great Birthday today!

... yeah... but you've got a couple of years before you are eligible for FULL SS payments ... Happy Birthday, kiddo ...
t.


[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 07-13-2006).]

and medicare

I found this forum about the time when Uncle Dave was in full swing, with his great wit and controversial escapades. The forum is lacking something since his silence.

Who's going to step up now?

zuki

Thanks for the offer but that kind of supports my theory about the tourist places. I know New York, Philly, Orlando, Tampa, Houston, Austin, and many more of the big "famous" Cities are still hotspots for entertainment. But what about Watertown Wisconsin, Bloomfield Vermont, Hutchison Kansas,You know mid size American cities. Or is it just the old industrial northeast that is dying while the rest of the country is doing OK.
I live in the Suburbs of Syracuse NY Home office of Carrier Corp..(gone). Porter Cable Tools...(gone).. Fischer Body..GM..(gone).
Hancock airforce base ..(gone) Stratigic air comand for the northeast.Norad.(gone)
Still here is SU.. Colgate and Cornell within about 50 miles, finger lakes wine country.
A lot of my musician friends think the grass is greener anywhere but here. Of course the bigger the market the bigger the competion.

So really are there gigs going begging in Smithtown West Virginia?

Hang on everybody...UD may have some more changes in the wind [Good Changes.....maybe!!!}

Happy Birthday, Don... welcome to the O.F. Club

BTW, no way someone with UD's talent can stay away from music very long.

Welcome back UD.......
Music is in your blood!!!

I'm happy again

Happy Birthday Don!!!

UD was the first person I talked to on the phone after finding the "zone".

He's what makes this a great place.


All the best, Dave!

Russ

Hi Guys:

So far, this thread has created more questions than answers for me. First, let's continue the discussion about UD. Other than being married, what else is new about this great guy? I sure miss reading his sometimes spicy posts.

Mason, what are you up to with a career change this late in your life? You're still a few years behind me, young man. Sorry I forgot your birthday. Did I tell you I finally got to meet the famous Bill Pittman at an NSAI meeting in June? He's really a very good songwriter and performs well too.

Don,I sure hope everything works out the way you have planned it. Yes, it appears that the law of supply and demand has come into play. You decide to slow down and the demand for your performances has picked up. Why am I not surprised?

I hope you (Mason) and UD will let us know more details about what you guys are up to. For my two cents, you two, Scott Yee, Fran Caragno and Donnie are the "Old Guard" here at the "Zone" and I appreciate all your contributions on behalf of the rest of us.

All my best,

Dave Rice

Dave thanks from one of the old guard.

...... Uhhh ... as far as we know, not at this time, Being one to 'wear his heart on his sleeve', I think we all knew his feelings when he married his 'redhead' ... It seems that that didn't work out, which is something that no doubt took a toll on UD ...
I just pray that he and the rest of his family are doing well ...
t.

Last time I talked to Uncle Dave (about 3 weeks ago), he was selling cars at a Honda dealership in Princeton, NJ.

- Scott

When you've got mouths to feed you do what it takes to provide for your family.

If UD is as good a salesman as he is a musician he should do very well at that Honda dealership.

Best regards,
Mike

Dave has said bye bye to Honda

Wonder if he said bye-bye to the redhead as well!

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

.... I thought he told us a while ago that he did that ...
t.

bye bye redhead...hello dirty blonde

Does Dave check out the forums anymore? He used to be one of the most active members here..