GREAT ATTITUDES! I've been at it 50 years (I'm 61) with only 9 weeks off from playing at least 4 nights a week. And, I AIN'T DEAD, YET!

Music and playing/performing is a good part of what my life is all about.

Still "pick" pretty well...just don't "grin" as much as I used to!


the best to everyone!


Russ

I share the view with most comments, I'll never quit playing unless a physical disablity stops me from doing so. Tony when you go full time save me some of the evening gigs at the senior centers, since you'll be able to play the daytime gigs

It's a serious question. I'd think that as long as people want to hear you, keep playing. Really that simple. If they don't call anymore...

OTOH, I'm thinking of a song... uh... a John Anderson song... oh yeah...

Written by one of Nashville's greatest writers, Bobby Braddock. And a great record by John Anderson. How can anyone not like country music?

WOULD YOU CATCH A FALLING STAR
Performed by John Anderson
Capo on 1st fret

[C]You know the crowd was very [F]small for a country music [C]show
But he faked a curtain [G]call---, just like it was years a-[C]go
And then a lady grabbed his [F]arm as he staggered down the [C]aisle
And with all his country [G]charm, [F]he addressed her with a [C]smile

CHORUS
[C]Would you catch a fallin' [F]star before he crashes to the [C]ground
Don't you know how people [G]are---, nobody loves you when you're [C]down
Pick me up and take me [F]home and I'll bring my old gui-[C]tar
Sing a golden oldie [G]song, [F] if you'll catch a fallin' [C]star

[C]He had a silver plated [F]bus and a million country [C]fans
And now there's just a few of [G]us--- and he drives a little [C]van
An' they were beating down his [F]door, the lovely women, left and [C]right
And now he's on the hardwood [G]floor, [F] a-wonderin' where he'll spend the night

CHORUS
[C]Would you catch a fallin' [F]star before he crashes to the [C]ground
Don't you know how people [G]are---, nobody loves you when you're [C]down
Pick him up and take me [F]home and he'll bring his old gui-[C]tar
Sing a golden oldie [G]song, [F] if you'll catch a fallin' [C]star

Sing a golden oldie [G]song, [F] if you'll catch a fallin' [C]star

------------------
Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

John, Music's in our blood, so only stops when the heart stops. I trust you'll be playing music for many years to come. - Scott

Keep doing it until you get no more joy from it - hopefully never!

Plus, it never hurts to find a younger singing guitarist (maybe in his 50's or 60's!) that can drive and carry your keyboard for you (just get a light one!!). Musical dialog is what keeps the juices flowing - you only get so much listening to yourself solo, and start to fret too much about the slipping of skills.....

I am pretty sure I will stop playing when I am forced to buy a Yamaha..

I plan to stop playing music the day after my funeral.

Hi John,
age is no criteria, you're as young as you feel.
While you've got your health , enthusiasm & ability to keep performing, go for it.

Hubby became a parapalegic at 28 due to a building accident at work. A year later he packed us up, moved & started his own building company. We ran it till a couple of years ago when he became seriously ill. He's had to give it away totally, but I know he still misses it, ( he was only in his mid 50's)
Don't give it away before you're ready, keep doing what you luv.

best wishes
rikki

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bruno123:
[B]

[This message has been edited by rikkisbears (edited 08-22-2006).]

John, John, John . . .what are you thinking?

Here's a true story that's certain to please.

A lifelong friend of mine in the U.K. has, at the age of 64 (just two years older than myself) has just joined Britain's premier comedy group. They don't do the worldwide tours any more, but they take about 6 or 7 engagements a month around the U.K.

When I asked Len about it, he said "Why not. This life is too darn short to give up on the things that you love".

The band's motto is "Bop till ya drop". For me, that's the only way to look at it. So keep on rockin, my man!!

John,
Keep playing, for your own personal enjoyment, even if "the phone stops ringing" and the dollars don't come in.

I found this short film footage that kind of fits here.
Shows a party of happy people getting entertained by a good ol happy-go-lucky music maker.
Music Making People Happy

Make someone happy, even if its just yourself. It doesn't take much, doesn't require anything fancy, no frills.

OK?
Good!
Now get back to those scales and the finger excercises.

I forgot to mention that if you can learn a Donald Duck voice like Norman in the video, the dollars will be there.

[This message has been edited by MrEd (edited 08-22-2006).]