For some, this may seem like a silly question coming from me.

But, the truth of the matter is, learning, playing, writing and arranging music in various forms is, at best, only 25% of what makes me tick.

Producing films, writing copy, doing large format photography
and other elements of managing communications is at LEAST as important to me.

Communication research and teaching at the college level occupy another large chunk of my interests.

And finally, humanitarian work on behalf of certain people and groups make up the final hours of my day.

Thing is, I couldn't choose one of these fields over another.
Luckily, there is some overlap...music is a critical part of many communications project.

This is one reason why I work about 100 hours a week. I've never been able to choose. That, and being pretty good, but not nearly "world class" is why I never really tried to do music and only music.

I couldn't imagine life without being involved in the process of making music, but if I were suddenly not able to play, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Add family (a major passion) and, surprisingly, music is important but not everything, by any means.


What about you?


Russ

I taught middle school English for 33 yrs while also playing in a wedding band and being the organist/music director at church. Obviously, teaching was rewarding and put food on the table and sent 3 kids thru college. The wedding band paid for vacations, and the church job helped buy extras around the house. Together the three jobs contributed 80/10/10 to the family budget. Time consumption was probably more like 50/35/15 school/church/band.

The church position is gone and so is the money it generated. Teaching supplies me with a decent pension. My OMB gigs are relatively pocket change anymore. What remains is the music. It always was and continues to be the most important part of ME. As Carole King wrote, "Music is playing inside my head, over and over and over again."

Music has always been and always will be a significant part of my life. It's roaming around in my head all the time, my subconscious always has a song playing in it, even when I'm asleep. It doesn't totally dominate my life, but it does make up a very large part of my being.

My OMB jobs/gigs have provided me with a good income for decades, it allows me to do all the things I want to do, it opened lots of doors to higher paying music jobs, but still allows me time to do other things such as travel and go sailing. Now, in my twilight years, my ability to perform has not diminished, at least that's what my audiences tell me. Unfortunately, I know those years of being a performer/entertainer are waning rapidly. In the not too distant future, I will no longer be physically able to do what I will do this afternoon, but I accept that as part of life.

In many ways, the Captain and I have led quite similar lives. I've been able to utilize my God given talents and vocal abilities to be a radio newscaster, a professional announcer, do voice-overs for some of the larger automotive dealerships in Maryland and other states, produced and directed my own cable TV shows, and yet still found time for my wife and children. There's not many things I have not done in this life, and by and large, nothing I would change if it were possible to go back in time. Well, maybe a few things.

Today, I'm going to drive to an assisted living center that is just a few miles from the marina where I keep my boat. I'll perform for a small crowd of mostly ladies, all of which, unfortunately, have outlived their body parts. They're in a place where they do not wish to be, but at least they are receiving some form of care they could not get at home. I'll only be there for an hour or so, during which time I hope to mentally take them to a place that is a lot more fun. Some will sing, some will tap their feet and clap their hands to the music. Some will close their eyes and dream of far off places they visited in years past. So, for them, music has a special meaning as well.

When the job ends, I'll shake hands with many of the residents, and tell them when I'll be back. Some of the ladies will get a bit teary eyed because I have to leave, but I assure them that I will come back soon. Then it's off to the boat to talk with the marina about borrowing their pressure washer to clean the winter grime off the boat so it can be painted next week. Without music, I wouldn't be able to afford a nice sailing yacht, or take the time off to sail to the islands.

In many ways music IS my life,

Gary

I love making music, but it isn't THAT important. Have only turned on my keyboard a few times in the past two months.
Guess I needed a break, but now I'm having trouble getting back in the mood to work. I'm thinking next month I'll start doing a few jobs, but only after I make a road trip or two to see family and friends.
I will be going to the Veteran's Home and hospital to do a freebie in a couple of weeks.
Music has allowed me to play golf or fish during the days for many years. That's something for which many people work all their lives toward, then get too old or infirm to really enjoy.
At this point I'd much rather play some of the thousands of songs I know than work on anything new, unless something really catches my ear. Thinking about doing an album of my favorite gospel songs.
There are countless musicians/entertainers in this area who are more talented than I am, but I've been lucky enough to be one of the very few who have actually made a decent living doing something I would be doing if I didn't have to make a living!
Very thankful for that, and most of all for my wife, who never tried to change me or dissuade me from playing music for a living!

Its always been my first love. I wanted to be a full timer but wiser older musicains put me on the education route. "Do it part time" Best advise I ever got. Thank God I did that as its near impossible to make a living at music today. Put in 35 years as a teacher, first in music and then technology. Every night after dinner I would go to my basement studio and play. Playing with some new gear, learning new songs or just playing. Still do it occasionally in my new place. Built a small studio in my garage for my music toys. As with most of us, I did a ton of gigs in different situations over the years, made and spent all that extra cash, and had a ball. I miss the days of playing live but I'm glad I had the chance to do it when live entertainment was the thing. I feel bad for the kids coming up today with the limited outlets for real music.
Still love to play and wish there were more opprotunities around. I've cut back but will never stop.

Same as Bill from NJ. 35 years of teaching with music as part-time. Now, in retirement, it’s great to gig, record, and do what I always wanted to do.

UD has the greatest set-up...teaching music in a very liberal/loving environment AND performing at a really professional level.


He's my hero, but he won't adopt me!


R.

If I had a regret, it is that I didn't "bite the financial bullet" and teach at the middle school level.

I teach a class or two at the college level most semesters, but that's not the same as being as influential as you career folks have been.

I have a new friend, Angela, who teaches challenged kids and runs a self funded (I help a little) guitar club.

Much respect and appreciation to ALL of you.


Russ

There's no room till my kids move out! (again!!!!!)
Sigh ... Humans are the ONLY species that allow their young to return - why IS that?????

Mine won't come back because I would make them live on the boat.

Gary

I'm getting a chill from the breeze that this revolving door generates!
(although, it IS pretty cool having my grandson here)

All of my kids have returned home at one time or another! I named them boomerang 1 2 and 3. We our selves have never made mistakes, so I guess they haven't either! ha lol

We have two sons and a grandson living with us now. Good news is they are paying their way and we are glad to have them.

Russ music nor anything else is of much meaning to me at present.My son is close by now and I'm elated. With just finding a Tumor in his Esophagus at age 34 that 4 cancer specialist said they only see in Elderly men, I don't know what he, the wife or I would do if he weren't close by. It's a nightmare. Thanks for letting me vent.

Sorry, but with the high price of ammo today, I can no longer afford to fire warning shots! My kids wouldn't dare.

Amazing how this thread took a turn?

I certainly don't mind. The original subject was a serious one to me, but didn't interest many, I guess.

And, I enjoy the banter/humor, particularly from Don and others. I can really relate to kids and other relatives who come to visit and never leave.


R.

Russ that about says it all.....and that is sad

For me there is NO comparison to making a full time GOOD living playing music 48+ years and still going strong.. ! Many players I hear always complaining & say, ..
"there's no more work around"..."Too much competition"
Bla Bla Bla!! .....what a crock of crap!!......
Either they aren't too good musically to get the jobs, play the wrong songs, play the wrong songs or they are good & just too lazy to put the time and effort to get work as it is certainly out there more then ever today in so many different kinds of venues. Just find your niche and play what the People want to hear not what you like ......And if you won't do it, don't worry,........ someone else surly will..

Music has always been the central part of my life. I worked in many areas of the business, from teaching, to performing (in bands and as a solo player), as well as many, many hours spent as a studio musician, and, most recently, as a clinician/demonstrator for Yamaha Canada Music.

I retired last year from Yamaha at age 64, and I've also taken a self imposed sabbatical from playing, but I still continue to play every day and do a bit of recording.

I haven't worked in any other field...it has always been music. I started piano lessons at 5 years old, and started playing professionally at 15.

Interesting topic, Russ.

Ian

Your making a lot of unfair assumptions. Take away your senior crowd work and think about it.

Great question!!

I have always gotten joy playing music. Tyros 5 in my new baby now but I have always had great pleasure playing basic piano as a young child. In 3rd grade I learned cornet and was lead trumpet player thru high school. My family had a Lowrey console organ that led me to all my electronic keyboards.

In 1983 I felt I was the only guy in my world that knew what MIDI was and what you could do with it. I was so frustrated that my musician friends didn't feel the same way. I started composing and sequencing a lot and this brought me even more satisfaction. Some of my newer PC music software wows me to no end!!

Where I lack in musical skills I make up with music appreciation. I can switch musical genres in a heartbeat and go where ever my mood takes me. I'm lucky to have been in school band where we played many types of music. I'm lucky to be from the "top 40" generation of radio where a top country song could be followed by a Led Zeppelin song. Today it seems that people WANT to pigeonhole themselves into listening to only 1 or 2 types of music.................

Like Gary ..........I have music going thru my head all the time. I still sing (hum?? lol) out loud at work or in the car. I create music as I dream and have learned to write some of it out before I forget it. Even on the saddest days I can turn to music to make me feel better. I couldn't imagine my life without it....................Best wishes all! -charley