Last Friday was my 74th birthday. The day started at 6:00 AM, at a position I hold at a University. At 10:00 AM, I left for a playing job at the City Hall. At 1:00 PM, I was shooting stills of a new product and working on a YouTube channel posting. At 2:00 P.M I was setting up for a house party that started at 5:00. Full small rig: 2 keyboards, PA, powered monitor, SansAmp and guitar. Played there from 5:00 to 9:00. Showed up at the country club at 9:30 and worked to 12:00 PM. Then, on to the studio for an emergency edit of footage about a socialite who passed away that day.
Just back from a 14 hour session for a large Truck manufacturer. Now, back to the house I played at Friday to pick-up the keyboards.
In the middle of the house party, I realized I have had enough. I don't enjoy entertaining, but this has always been my access to the kinds of clients who need and can afford my films, brochures, research, etc.
With advancing age and the addition of 120 hours per month in the studio and 30 plus video productions annually for my foreign clients, I'm close to only doing a half-assed job on the whole mess.
Quite a birthday, huh? I should be glad to have had the career I have had. Sadly, today, at least, THE THRILL IS GONE!
Get some sleep. Take a day for yourself. Spend 30 uninterrupted minutes with Annie (NOT talking about business), and rethink your blessings. That'll be $275 dollars, please. Dr. Dave
Be careful my friend. Don’t feel like you have take every job that comes your way. Two musicians friends used to keep schedules like yours. Both fell asleep behind the wheel. One of them died and the other is now severely disabled.
Russ, happy birthday old friend. As I have said many times in the past, there will come a time when you must stop and smell the roses before someone is placing them on your casket.
From my own, personal experience, I can tell you not to wait until health issues force you to retire. I really didn't want to retire - I had to retire. And, I sincerely believe you are on the same boat. Fortunately, you have someone to pass the baton on to, where in my case there was no one to pass it along to.
I can assure you that you will continue to do some of the things, musically, that you have always enjoyed doing. I still record some songs, and if I were physically able, I would be performing at some private parties.
Now, Lake Cumberland is not far from you, and if I recall, you enjoyed sailing, but no longer do so. Well, here's your golden opportunity with a 65-thousand acre lake not far from your home. And, from what I remember about this lake, it has some great recreational fishing opportunities available for walleye, yellow perch, hybrid stripers, white bass and largemouth bass. Go for it!
Russ, slow down but DON'T QUIT. You're already a grumpy old man and if you stop doing music and teaching and running a company and social activism and God knows what else, you'll just get worse....and you know what that could lead to, SPENDING MORE TIME ON SYNTHZONE....and nobody wants that .
Hey, you know where you can come for some much needed R&R. Maybe you can teach me how to "feel" 5/4 time....nobody else has been able to . Seriously, if you do decide to make a few holes in that hectic schedule, you know I'm not that far away. Talk to you soon.
Different strokes for diferent folks. You're quitting at 74 and I'm just trying to get back into gigging (planning on doing the nursing homes) at 75. I may be dreaming but I think that the nh circuit is the one place my age and my song library would be accepted. I do not however plan on doing 16-18 hour days!
Thanks folks. I've just always been an "all in" or "all out" person.
Any complaining about my good luck is a real "wimp out" deal.
Actually, after I added 120 hours a month of studio time a few years ago, I knew I had to cut back on something. Then, I added two divisions of an Italian customer as marketing clients. Now, Two Italian door manufacturers are asking me to prepare all marketing materials for introduction of their products to US "big box" stores. Two of the biggest chains have agreed to take the lines if I will agree to do the work.
These two companies are owned by family members from the staircase company I have been working with for over 25 years.
Thing is, I love doing film production, packaging, copy and photography as much playing music. Luckily, everything today involves broadcast quality video, and my product features superior quality audio and scores, which gives me an advantage.
I really don't want to stop anything, and the last day of vacation I had was July, 1982.
Plus, I have commitments to complete three larger writing projects I've promised the University.
I'd probably be fine if I could do this stuff "first come, first served", but it doesn't work that way.
I'm guessing the people you are working for, playing for , promising projects for, all take some vacation time and you've probably had to wait for them to get some approval or complete something. So take one yourself- you might like it and realize you need more. And that's OK. No sense chasing after all of the work in the world if you can't get it done. There are others, and getting the work over them might feel good and pay well, but you're missing out on other things.. I just lost someone very close very quickly two weeks ago..I am wishing we spent more time together than pursuing my own interests. You can't get that time back..
I had many friends and great working musicians that didn't stop & take the time to smell the roses & enjoy quality time with their family and are now smelling dirt, so sad.....miss them all. Remember we all can be easily replaced. R.I.P.
I think one has to balance work with pleasure, and if working brings you pleasure, then what? Play to me might be work to others. If one is operating out of shear determination to meet his responsibilities,however, I would watch my stress levels. At this stage of the game, I would hope that we do things that bring us pleasure, not pain. After all, we deserve it, and so do our loved ones. Bernie
I think one has to balance work with pleasure, and if working brings you pleasure, then what? Play to me might be work to others. If one is operating out of shear determination to meet his responsibilities,however, I would watch my stress levels. At this stage of the game, I would hope that we do things that bring us pleasure, not pain. After all, we deserve it, and so do our loved ones. Bernie
Bernie I'll just refer to this from the movie the "Godfather" in regards to working too much!
refer to this from the movie the "Godfather" in regards to working too much!
Yes, that movie depicts the real essence of how a man should act. (WRONG!) Murdering, cheating, thieving, womanizing, cold hearted shells of beings. They talk about love of family, and respect, but they have no regard for actual life.They respect nothing, unless it benefits their cause. Remember the toll booth? Yikes.
Donny, I know you love all things Italian, but those mob movies don't show the best side of our heritage. Frankly, I'm a little embarrassed by the stereotypes they propagate. (and it's SAUCE, all the way)
Well Dave we all have our own opinions and I respect that.... either way the message stated is crystal clear. But I can agree it's "SAUCE" always though.
When possible, never make "snap decisions." You are a valued member of this community. Consider Mason's advice. Nothing wrong with slowing down the pace a bit. Wish I had your youth and energy.
and if you stop doing music and teaching and running a company and social activism and God knows what else, you'll just get worse....and you know what that could lead to, SPENDING MORE TIME ON SYNTHZONE....and nobody wants that 
