I've been working since I was 10 years old, and most of my life I've worked 7 days a week, and an 8-hour day would have been a short day. I've done just about everything a person could ever want to do, I've been to more than 100 countries, visited nearly every state in the U.S., you name it and there's a good chance I've done it at least once.

Along the way I've made lots of friends, some of which are entertainers and musicians who frequent the Synthzone and PSR Tutorial, and I've been lucky enough to meet several in person. Unfortunately, some of them are no longer with us and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of them.

This past year has been especially difficult with the passing of several close friends and a few relatives. Now, at age 68, I decided to spend more time with my wife, my children and grandson. I hope to enjoy what little life I have left, and cut back on the number of music jobs I perform each year. Cutting back from 350 jobs to 200 jobs meant having to tell some long-time clients that I will no longer be able to perform for them.

Those of us that have been doing this for a full-time living are keenly aware that a significant number of their audience members are almost like family. One of the senior centers where I have performed every other month for nearly a decade was among the locations that I decided would be on the cut list. I know everyone there on a first name basis.

On Wednesday I played their annual Christmas party for the last time. And, just before playing the last song I announced this would be my last performance, and that I was going into semi-retirement. (I informed the center director of my decision three months earlier, but she asked me not to tell anyone until the last performance.) The last song I performed was My Way, which resulted in a standing ovation. There wasn't a dry eye in the room, including mine.

Nearly 100 people came up to me and said they wished I would change my mind, shook my hand, gave me hugs and kisses and wished me well. The center director called today and said if I decided to change my mind there is always a place for me there.

This was a very difficult decision to make, but one that I sincerely believe all of us will eventually have to make in the not too distant future. There will come a day when we will no longer have the physical and mental ability to perform at the same, hectic schedule we now enjoy. When that time comes, and believe me you will know when it comes, you will have to bid a fond farewell to some wonderful people you've met along the way. Saying goodbye to them is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life.

I'll be cutting out a number of other performance locations during the next few weeks. I'll be saying goodbye to some very dear friends. As the post indicates, saying goodbye is hard to do.

Gary

Gary, what an experience, as you told the story I could visualize what a difficult thing that is to do with folks who have become like family. It speaks volumes about you as a person and entertainer. Now please tell us you are not semi-retiring from SZ. You've been a valuable source of information to us all and I appreciate the phone calls with your advice.

Best wishes and have a Happy Holiday season and a Merry Christmas.

Hi Gary,
Every good thing must come to an end and nothing like losing close friends or relatives causes one to stop and take stock of what is going on in thier life. Good luck Gary - I know you will miss the work. When I retired I played golf every day for about 8 months and soon discovered I had to do something or I would go nuts.

I figure at 68 I am just getting started. I am building my music business and my real estate business is doing very well -- both keep me as busy as I want to be. My daughter is having triplets in February so I guess my life is just beginning - even at 68.

Keep us posted - you are a dear forum friend.

Hammer

Grab a dictionary and look up "good human."

You'll find a nice picture of Gary, there...



Enjoy your partial retirement, pal...



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Bill in Dayton

Moses would be mad at you But having 200 jobs is not exactly retirement. Isn't it nice to have something you enjoy during the golden years.

Happy Holidays

Wow Gary, I have tears in my eyes. I've gotten to know you fairly well in the last year and you are one of those very special people. You enjoy giving more that receiveing. I'm sure you feel as I do that in the past few years, we have really found our place. I played night clubs all over the place for many years but never did I find the love and satisfactcion that I enjoy today than when I started playing the NH or retirement community circuit. Here we have found a group of people that really appreciate what we have to offer and they give that back in love and appreciation. I truly dread the day that I have to start cutting back, because, in all honesty, I'm having the time of my life. Your posts here have been an inspiration to me and I hope we can get together for lunch after the first of the year. You are a true gentleman and a performer of the first rate.

All the best!

Joe

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Songman55
Joe Ayala

Gary,

I feel honored that you shared that heartwarming story with us. It immediately reminded me of; "It's a wonderful Life". And the impact we have on people in our lives.

Just think of how many people we have touched with our entertainment over the years. I can only hope somewhere sometime someone is thinking back to a performance you did and the impact you had on their lives.

Regards,
Al

Gary,enjoy life as it goes along do things you like to do,music will never leave you, it is in your blood ,i have learned a lot from your posts.wish you well in your future, i am76 now and still a midi idiot, best regards,Benno

Wayda go, Gary... you're a class act for sure. Good luck.

Glenn

gary,

yes, there is a time for everything. including times like this, when you really have to be strong and take decissions you do not like. but what always stays with us is our memories. if those are gone, well, i suppose nothing matter anyway.

so, enjoy your music and your family and your friends, every day is a new day and we should fully benefit of it! blessings!

We at Chabad play very often at retirement homes, so I understand where your coming from... Not even to get paid, just to make the old people happy. What can be better then lightining up a old man/woman's heart?
This is true Fullfillment.



[This message has been edited by shim (edited 12-04-2008).]

Gary. Well done...but you will live to 100 anyway so you have time with the family to look forward to.

Gary: I've followed your inspiring posts for a couple of years now. Bittersweet comes to mind when reading this topic. You do eventually have to wind things down but I sure admire the way you did this. Having never been able to meet you and personally say thanks for all you've done for the rest of us to lift up our sagging spirits is also a bittersweet thing. Wish you could make the January Jam at Mason's hangout in Shreveport. Regardless, please accept my best wishes... it's nice to kick back and watch the world spin by.

Best, Dave

Gary ... Having met you and spoken to you on a number of occasions, I feel I know the person you are ... This had to be very difficult, and I can relate it to when I played my 'last gig' with the band after 26 years, because I was moving out of state ...
The great thing is that you are only 'cutting back' (to more gigs than a LOT of people play a year ) ...
Enjoy your free time with Carol and the family ...

t.

Gary, I empathize with you. These last couple years have seen my playing time dwindle to next to nothings, except church. Now with my recent illness the pastor wonders if I should consider taking it a bit easier. How do you say goodbye to something you love so much, like our music.

I'm sure you will look back on these years as the greatest of your life. On behalf of those who didn't get to say it, let me say it for them - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GIFT OF MUSIC !

Gary a bold decision in this economic downfall.........maybe after a year on the sail boat you'll get rejuvenated and back kickin' butt out there full bore once again your needed out in the trenches!!!

Good Luck Mr.Wizard ...

Remember you could have a "REAL" job

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 12-05-2008).]

Thanks for the complements and well wishes everyone. I wish I could make the Shreveport, LA jam next month, but the schedule is still a bit hectic. Even with the number of jobs I'm cutting back to, the schedule is still fairly heavy.

Thanks again,

Gary

Gary...You are a Man of Great Character and Integrity....You put Your Love of Others(Family) before Your own Desires...But Still share Much Love...The World needs more people like You...Good Music is Sharing LOVE!....Blessings Harold

Gary, I'm not far behind you, and am already planning cut-backs. I dread making theat first step. Like everything else, you're doing this with class.


Be well,


Russ

Gary

I'm glad you're just cutting back and not stopping completely.
I must say you're a kind, generous and patient man. I've called you many times and you've always helped me. You've patiently hung in there with me, and if you were not home you would return my call.
I always read you posts here and at PSR Tutorial and look forward to continue reading them.

Good luck to you and your family.

Peter

[This message has been edited by Musicman22 (edited 12-05-2008).]

I'm already down to once a week with an occasional stint over at Club 290 (best jazz club in Atlanta) and even that is sometimes a chore. Wish I had Tony Mads will and guts to go through with that joint replacement surgery but so far I'm too chicken (I should be wearing Donny's hat). Got an injection just this morning at the Atlanta Sports Medicine Ctr. (they do the Falcons and most of the other Atlanta sports teams - all you see in there are world-class athletes and old folks - ironic, isn't it?). I should be good for another 4-6 months. Enjoy the semi-retirement but don't give it up completely until you absolutely have to (or until your wife kicks you out of the house, whichever comes first in retirement). Take care.

chas

You deserve a nice retirement for sure. 100 countries - how about Indonesia ? How did you manage to do that ?

I sure hope you also experienced God as much or more than I do. I saw a good number of miracles. If you need advice on this subject, I know quite a bit and did a lot of research. I can even show you a place right here near Hayward where miracles happen everyday. I am talking about real miracles that defy natural laws.

chas ... thanks for the 'props'. but somethings are done out of ABSOLUTE necessity ...


I kept taking shots until they didn't help any more ...


which are you ?!?!? .

t.

Let me guess, someone has a Yamaha arranger with a good drum kit.

Just kidding. I know you're serious. Actually, Ian may be interested.

chas

Ian: just email me valutech@pacbell.net

Be happy to show you guys firsthand about the miracles. There is another world beyond us to explore and I think there is hope for us on the other side. Christianity is real and if we look hard enough and lucky enough we can find it. Just take some effort - not even that much of an effort. People are too busy and too many excuses. Many said lets wait until I am retired maybe I have time then. Then when they retired, another excuse again. The time is now ! The payoff is huge ! Not to mention very very interesting. One of the miracles I mentioned is here in Union City and was witnessed by many people all over the world and even covered by the local paper at one time. We are so fortunate to witness this event still happening as we speak. It will break any atheist notion that the Christian God is not real.

Come on down to Hayward all you RETIREES and even non-retirees. We can sing some Christmas songs together at my house and jam ! I have put together a fully decorated Christmas theme at my house. I got mixer, speakers, 2 boards and a nice elec drum.

You're right about the Yamaha arranger. I have PSR3000 and have enjoyed reading Gary's posts all these years. His contribution to this forum is immense to say the least. It enriched my playing for sure. But nowadays I am playing my other Casio digital piano which is another awesome board. I am a low spender - want big performance with little dollar. I like a good value if you know what I mean.

Lukitoh, forgive me. I was just kinda teasing Ian, as his religious views pretty much parallel mine. I shouldn't have been making light of what is very personal, very real, and very serious, to some. My sincere apologies.

chas

[This message has been edited by cgiles (edited 12-05-2008).]

all the best to you and your family. i stopped performing 2 years ago (i'm 61) due to health. i was talked into playing new years eve at our community club house(6-8).
i'll be home watching tv by 8:30.i miss the money of the 300 gigs, but i'm so thrilled
to be with my family for the first time in
years. don't forget we still need your input here,i've learned alot from you.
have a great semi-retirement.
regards
dave

The way the economy is going, I may just have to keep working until I expire at the keyboard

But that was what I was planning on doing, anyway (it will save me a load-out, at least!)...

I always appreciated your friendly advise.
That makes you a special friend.

Good Luck with your semi-retirement.

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Larry
The NEW SynthZone Map

Now THAT is the funniest thing you've ever said Diki!

Gary, Every time I give up something I love I feel another part of me go. Thank God that you have a wife and family it makes the transition much nicer. It is not uncommon to see a man enter his later life and go home to roast. For me, my wife and children help complete my music career, without them it would have been empty – surely a good place to go – and then, we have memories.

John C.