have you ever wondered or does it bother you when you think the audience is saying to themselves.....especially a younger one,
"Hey, Look at that OLD GUY playing on stage" !!

Sometimes no matter how good you think you are you might have these grandpa thoughts in your head. Or you might have thought the same thing watching someone else too,....
so when is it time to pass the torch?

Naw, they look at me with reverence and awe. Awe, not again.

Upon graduation from High School.

chas

As long as the "Old Guy" is playing pleasing music who cares what the others think. It's an honor to live past youth. Lloyd

Years back that did trouble me; but no longer.
Now people look and say – amazing at his age; I wish I get that far in life.

OK, get ready for a couple of rah rah. This September I will be on this earth for 85 years; I remember Trolley Cars and no TVs. Life has been good to me.

I put my first band together 63 years ago and I am still playing. I've got three keyboards and seven guitars; Life is good.

It’s good having a place to share your thoughts and feelings.

-----THANK YOU NIGEL-----

John C.

getting old I can deal with, but when I see a guy in his 80's with dyed jet black hair it's just so wrong,...lol

Yeah, he should have used Garnier Nutrise #60, Acorn color - worked for me for the better part of 40 years. My hair turned snow white at age 30. White hair does not make you look distinguished, it makes you look extinguished! since I retired, I no longer use hair coloring, and what little hair I have remaining is snow white.

Gary (The old guy!)

Congratulations John. I'm sure the presence of music in your life has helped contribute to your longevity. One thing the (music) technology of today does is stimulate the mind and keeps those brain cells (what few we've got left ) clicking along happily. Hope I'm able to maintain my interest, enthusiasm, and spirit for as long as you have. Hope there are many more Septembers to come for you.

chas

Donny how did you know what color my hair was???

Chas, It all comes from inside. In my worst times there was music. And when I am playing music everything is just fine.

Thanks, John C.

When you so vain about your hair why bring more attention to it dying it JET BLACK...
heck my hair wasn't that black when I was 13 lolol.

John, it's an honor to know you. Keep it up, friend.


Russ

[quote=Dnj]have you ever wondered or does it bother you when you think the audience is saying to themselves.....especially a younger one,
"Hey, Look at that OLD GUY playing on stage" !!

Sometimes no matter how good you think you are you might have these grandpa thoughts in your head. Or you might have thought the same thing watching someone else too,....
so when is it time to pass the torch

Donny
It is on my mind for a lot of situations. Playing for an adult crowd not so much but others yes .I thought I'd be out of the business by 40, then 50 and now ? There is a perception out there not only among audiences but more important on those doing the hiring. Still truckin along but in a lower gear ! LOL !

John ... CONGRATULATIONS, and may you keep on keepin' on ...

Donny ... yes, I have thought that at times, but as Bill said, only with 'younger' crowds ...
The time to 'pass the torch' will be when I am no longer getting gigs - OR am physically unable to do it ...

also sometimes playing at home JUST FOR YOURSELF will give you more satisfaction as the magic of music lives inside us & you can make it happen on stage or in your heart and soul .

Very nicely put Donny. Yes I am enjoying playing for myself more now and am even considering a new TOTL digital piano. Just getting back to the sound of a good piano is something I got away from for a long time.

A couple of years ago, a young girl (30...that's young to me)said to her date,"If you don't look, he sounds much younger and better looking than he really is (don't look, Ethyl)".

Damnit, she's right. All I could do is laugh my a** off. At least is sounded OK.



Russ

I could be wrong, but....

I think if you knock out an audience with outstanding music and presentation, they're not going to care how old you look. They're going to be so caught up with what they're hearing, they won't have time to think about, or even care about, that awful three letter word....age!

Years ago, Mama Leone's restaurant in NYC used to have a mantra: "Give them good food and plenty of it and they'll come back for more." Substitute the word music for food and there's something to think about.

But you'd really have to be a powerhouse player to do that. As for me I don't have the energy or the enthusiasm anymore!

Mark

Someone told me the other night that "I didn't SOUND old!" He was only partially kidding.

I used to (and still do) worry about my kids. Now they worry about me traveling and playing lol.

The most boring thing is to have 9 days off or so and look at the walls of my home - no thanks.

Jim,you need a sailboat. lol
Gary

LOL. Totally relatable.

Eddie

No thanks Gary. I have a dock - good enough!

Zuki ready to upgrade to Pa4x?

Good luck in the trenches

I think the trick is to "Move with herd"

Generally I tend to play to my own age group, in social clubs etc. I think it depends what type of music we play.
Jazz,Folk and Country players can be any age and be totally accepted once the they play well.
Somehow, an old guy or old lady would be under more scrutiny playing modern chart stuff.
Just a thought,Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney, would they be OLD GUYS

Good topic Donny, by the way, dying of hair should a criminal offence

Yes a 65yr old guy with jet black whip over hair on stage just ain't right!lol

As a retired senior, I know my place musically. I play it safe by playing for my kind of crowd. Works best that way. Who wants or needs stress on stage? There’s still plenty of retired folks in these parts who seem to enjoy the older tunes. At least the gigs are still coming. No way I’d tackle one of the many college bars/hangouts around here playing Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Broadway show tunes. Probably would be hooted out of the place, or at best ignored.

You can RETIRE, from being a senior?!?!?! Sign me up!