Members Perfessor Posted August 10, 2007 Members Share Posted August 10, 2007 The older you are when playing blues the more respected. Robert Lockwood Jr. died this year at 91. The last of the Mississippi bluesmen. He played weekly here in Cleveland and his tribute band carries on with some old timers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Zurich17 Posted August 10, 2007 Members Share Posted August 10, 2007 This isn't what you want to hear but in all my classified ads I put 18-24, strictly. I dunno whether to jam with a singer who's 27, eep. My main band, the ages are 18 (me), 21, 26, 31, 35; and I get really paranoid about it (and have people saying 'get a younger singer', a lot) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Perfessor Posted August 11, 2007 Members Share Posted August 11, 2007 This isn't what you want to hear but in all my classified ads I put 18-24, strictly.I dunno whether to jam with a singer who's 27, eep.My main band, the ages are 18 (me), 21, 26, 31, 35; and I get really paranoid about it (and have people saying 'get a younger singer', a lot) Depends on the music style and venues you plan to play. In Cleveland there is no age that is precluded. You see bands with young people and bands with middle aged players and bands with old timers. At blues jams 18 year olds play next to guys 65 or older and the places are packed. The house band has a 19 year old drummer and a 56 year old guitarist who is the poster guy for Hills Guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rockerdiva Posted August 11, 2007 Members Share Posted August 11, 2007 Depends on what you mean by "making it". You mean getting rich and famous? Gotta get lucky to make that happen at any age. But yeah, you do have a much better chance at getting signed if you are young... But you can have fun playing music professionaly, locally - for a loooong time. I have a lot of friends in their 50's and even 60's that are doing it. It helps to stay in physical shape, I think. Everybodys circumstances are different. I personally feel fortunate not to have had the confidence to have that stardon dream when I was in my twenties. I know a lot of people my age who have regrets and dissapointment; they feel they have passed their prime now or something. Not me, I'm super excited about every new thing I get to do! And it hasn't stopped yet! So don't be thinking you are "old" in your 20s or 30s.. I'm a 43 year old woman. I have been a local solo act for 20 years, put out my first original album in '03 and won a couple of awards for it - decided to go back to school and graduated with a B.A. in classical guitar this past December, and now I just started my first four piece rock band. I am expecting that if we keep it tight, and I try to sell it - we'll be getting a solid two weekends per month bookings... (I'm talking before that happens, of course, fingers crossed ... but I have confidence that it will ...) So yeah, 43 probably sounds rough, especially for a female and to some of you younger people. But I am living my dream life here. Add to that a happy marriage and two cool sons, and I am loving it right now. BTW, I went to see Heart a couple of months ago. Nancy Wilson was jumping around, playing electric and acoustic, kicking her leg up and jamming, and I must say - looking mighty fine on stage ... and she got me by ten years at least. Yeah, I'm feeling pretty young ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BS555 Posted August 11, 2007 Members Share Posted August 11, 2007 Depends on what you mean by "making it". You mean getting rich and famous? Gotta get lucky to make that happen at any age. But yeah, you do have a much better chance at getting signed if you are young... But you can have fun playing music professionaly, locally - for a loooong time. I have a lot of friends in their 50's and even 60's that are doing it. It helps to stay in physical shape, I think. Everybodys circumstances are different. I personally feel fortunate not to have had the confidence to have that stardon dream when I was in my twenties. I know a lot of people my age who have regrets and dissapointment; they feel they have passed their prime now or something. Not me, I'm super excited about every new thing I get to do! And it hasn't stopped yet! So don't be thinking you are "old" in your 20s or 30s.. I'm a 43 year old woman. I have been a local solo act for 20 years, put out my first original album in '03 and won a couple of awards for it - decided to go back to school and graduated with a B.A. in classical guitar this past December, and now I just started my first four piece rock band. I am expecting that if we keep it tight, and I try to sell it - we'll be getting a solid two weekends per month bookings... (I'm talking before that happens, of course, fingers crossed ... but I have confidence that it will ...) So yeah, 43 probably sounds rough, especially for a female and to some of you younger people. But I am living my dream life here. Add to that a happy marriage and two cool sons, and I am loving it right now. BTW, I went to see Heart a couple of months ago. Nancy Wilson was jumping around, playing electric and acoustic, kicking her leg up and jamming, and I must say - looking mighty fine on stage ... and she got me by ten years at least. Yeah, I'm feeling pretty young ... Indeed, I've seen Heart live.Don't let anyone tell Kim Gordon (of Sonic Youth) she can't rock anymore, either. She's 54. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FeloniousThump Posted August 13, 2007 Members Share Posted August 13, 2007 I am 58. I play Bass for a Country/Rock cross Band, and do much of the Harmonies with our Young (24y) Female singer. Look at the Bands in this genre and you will see Dads playing with there kids, Unrelated old timers like myself with Young hot musicians of all descriptions. If you find the right niche you can play at any age. I am having more fun playing now then I have in almost 30 years, and we are getting some good attention for our Music. Hit the top? It is still my goal, if there is not something to look forward to you may as well lay down and die. I would rather aim high and get somewhere then not try at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poker99 Posted August 13, 2007 Members Share Posted August 13, 2007 I'm 30 and the rest of my band is younger. I think its great. I look real young (about 25) so its even better loll. My singer has just turned 26, my drummer in only 21 and my bassist 22. We have no problems whatsover adjusting. I like to be the older guy, cause I know I won't quit for stupid reasons (like thinking "I'm too old"). And the kids won't think about it until years...Again, the age factor is just pop culture, nothing else. They want to sell {censored} to stupid 12 years old kids. They want artists to look young, so the crowd feel "connected". But who cares! There are other crowds. I think one day people will get tired of that {censored}. Just check at movies from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Stars were older, especially guys. A guy was considered in his prime at 40, not 25. Its much more logical to be considered at your prime at 40 (of course if you kept in shape) because you have so much more experience.I hope people will get tired of pop artists with no background, and go for the bands and artists that have something to say. Its like a wheel, I think it will come back to this.By the way, I have more success with women than ever before. Girls like older guys that still look good. I can pretty much seduce any 20 year old girl you throw at me. AGE IS JUST A NUMBER. I know people who look old at 18. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ChromaLord Posted August 14, 2007 Members Share Posted August 14, 2007 If you were a chick trying to get a major label deal, Id say yeah, find a day gig. But you're a dude so have it. But when anyone tells me they are trying to get a record deal I always say" why are you aiming so low"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poker99 Posted August 16, 2007 Members Share Posted August 16, 2007 If you were a chick trying to get a major label deal, Id say yeah, find a day gig. But you're a dude so have it. But when anyone tells me they are trying to get a record deal I always say" why are you aiming so low"? What do you mean by "aiming so low" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Top5 Posted August 16, 2007 Members Share Posted August 16, 2007 of course i say never give up, but yeah most people would say you need to make it by 30 or so. but if you look young that buys you even more time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poker99 Posted August 16, 2007 Members Share Posted August 16, 2007 Depends what you mean by making it, what is the style you are doing, and where you are at 30. I'm 30 but I have no kids, and no wife. I have a part time job and a lot of time to do music. With a family and no time, I would probably give up. Looks... It always helps, but once again, I think charisma is more important. There are a lot of old, ugly rock stars out there than bang a lot of hot chicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fuzzball Posted August 20, 2007 Members Share Posted August 20, 2007 When you get "too old" just start playing the blues. There is no age limit on rock and role!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ides of March Posted September 1, 2007 Members Share Posted September 1, 2007 I am 33 and am married with a 5 year old and a baby on the way. Seems hopeless for me doesn't it. Well that may be but i don't believe in giving up just because of age. I still have my band and write songs and record them and play out for the music and the thrill of playing for people. That is all that matters to me. And if we get some cred and recognition that makes it all the better. Music is music man, and if you have the songs you will get the attention. All those bands that make it on appearance don't last because after a while they are not gonna have the songs to maintain. Keep writing and practicing and promoting and eventually you will get what you want. That is what I truly believe. There is an audience for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted September 1, 2007 Members Share Posted September 1, 2007 All those bands that make it on appearance don't last because after a while they are not gonna have the songs to maintain. It doesn't matter. There are 100 bands like them to take their place when they fade out. The idea that record companies will suddenly turn to older players because the young pretty boys don't have what it takes is wishful thinking. Keep writing and practicing and promoting and eventually you will get what you want. That's a noble ideal, but not really grounded in reality. Some people will get what they want, most won't. That's just the hard truth about it. If it were solely up to hard work, yeah. But there are so many uncontrollable and unquantifiable subjective variables that no one can even define, let alone forsee. There is an audience for everyone Yes, there is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poker99 Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 BlueStrat, I agree with you most of the time, but did you ever buy a cd because the guys making it were pretty boys? 33 is still young, he should be at the top of his game. He never said he wanted to get signed to a major. Unless you want to sell cds to teens and be the pop flavor of the week, I don't see a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lndianScout Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 Gary Wright didnt have his first hit Dreamweaver until he was 43 or something it's never too late, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 BlueStrat, I agree with you most of the time, but did you ever buy a cd because the guys making it were pretty boys?33 is still young, he should be at the top of his game. He never said he wanted to get signed to a major. Unless you want to sell cds to teens and be the pop flavor of the week, I don't see a problem. No, but that is completely beside the point. I buy lots of CDs from old guys, but that isn't the topic is, it? I thought he thread topic was "Getting too old to make it? " How many of those 'old guys' made it when they were young, and how many when they were past 35? The point is this: How many bands "make it" after the members are past the middle 30s? The truth is, if you haven't achieved at least regional success by age 30, you probably aren't going to make it. That's not my rules, that's just a statistical fact. There are exceptions some folks like to point to, but come on, they are few and far between. My duo partner always likes to point to Keb Mo, who got signed after he was 50. Well, great, so what? It's not the norm, is it? In fact, he's the only one I've ever seen. If musicians want to continually point to the exceptions in the business as a means of clinging to hope, that's fine, but it's still a business of odds and statistical averages, in the end, and the odds are that if you aren't on your way early, it ain't gonna happen later. The music business is the one business where the Cinderalla scenario still appears to be a reality for some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lndianScout Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 No, but that is completely beside the point. I buy lots of CDs from old guys, but that isn't the topic is, it? I thought he thread topic was "Getting too old to make it? " How many of those 'old guys' made it when they were young, and how many when they were past 35?The point is this: How many bands "make it" after the members are past the middle 30s? The truth is, if you haven't achieved at least regional success by age 30, you probably aren't going to make it. That's not my rules, that's just a statistical fact. There are exceptions some folks like to point to, but come on, they are few and far between. My duo partner always likes to point to Keb Mo, who got signed after he was 50. Well, great, so what? It's not the norm, is it? In fact, he's the only one I've ever seen. If musicians want to continually point to the exceptions in the business as a means of clinging to hope, that's fine, but it's still a business of odds and statistical averages, in the end, and the odds are that if you aren't on your way early, it ain't gonna happen later. The music business is the one business where the Cinderalla scenario still appears to be a reality for some. I believe alot of that is also based on the style and genre of music you play.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nitekattz2007 Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 I hope society will get over this "age" thing when it comes to bands and music. If some 100 year old dude was a wailing guitar player or piano player virtuoso and selling 1000's of CD's and the public didn't know his age until he started on tour and quit buying his CDs because they found out he was 100 years old, wouldn't that be a damn shame. All the groups I have played in, I'm usually the oldest cat in the band and so far they take me on from my abilities, good sounding rig rather than my age. I feel I keep getting better with age, constantly growing and improving. Salt/pepper hair, beard, etc., kinda like Michael McDonald looks now. I do look "older" and I'm sure some younger bands wouldn't want me in, because I don't have their 'young" look and that's ok too. I have no CD's, no website, no youtube, no nothing other than showing up to audition and either makin' the gig or not, but I'm starting to get more gigs. I see this age issue all the time here, about too old to "make it." I guess that's why they invented performance enhancement drugs like Viagra, because "dude, you are too old to "make it." So pop this pill and "make it guy." katt:freak: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poker99 Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 What is "making it" anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 I believe alot of that is also based on the style and genre of music you play.. I'll agree there. If you play blues and jazz, classical and perhaps some other genres that aren't pop, rock, or modern country, you might have a shot. Then again, 'making it' in jazz and blues isn't at all like 'making it' in rock, pop, or country. Most of the better known blues guys still travel the country in a minivan pulling a trailer 300 days a year playing the same {censored}ty clubs you and I do on weeknights just to pay the bills and get to the weekend festival or concert gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 What is "making it" anyway? Good question. For me, it's arriving at a place where my music, either through songwriting, recording or performance royalties, makes it possible for me to live comfortably without ever having to worry about money again. 'Making it' in music for me isn't the same as 'having music for a job.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poker99 Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 makes it possible for me to live comfortably without ever having to worry about money again.Then again, it depends on your expenses and what do you mean by "living comfortably". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tedster Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 First off, if you're 27, haven't "made it" yet, and are thinking of quitting playing music because you haven't "made it"...you're playing music for the wrong reasons, anyhow. One doesn't play music to "make it". They play music because they love to play music. Without having read the prior three pages of replies, allow me to say "You're NEVER too old to make it". I'm 50. I still dream of "making it"...BUT... My definition of "making it" has changed. When I was in my 20s, "making it" meant playing stadiums full of throngs of nubile young ladies appreciatively tossing their undergarments at the stage. I'll skip the interim stages, but right now, my definition of "making it" means playing my own music on more or less a local level to possibly a nice, decent room full of loyal folks, perhaps including nubile more mature women, but also just folks who like music. Perhaps taking the show on the road once in awhile, not to stadiums, but various clubs where the patrons might appreciate what I'm doing...for the sake of the MUSIC...not for the sake of the image. Sell a few CDs. Maybe even get some local college station-type airplay. The BIG thing would be if someone with clout decided to record one of my songs. I'm not a "blues-only" guy, but blues and jazz guys do this all the time. Don't see why any other style of music should be any different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Poker99 Posted September 3, 2007 Members Share Posted September 3, 2007 You rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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