Thanks to you guys for a good response, and I’d like to see more, ‘cause it's "decision time" here at the old corral. Been seriously thinking about this for the last few days....giving it all up.

But, let me explain about the “old guys” first. What P*$&*@ me off the most was it was obvious they were following the trend. They figured out they could get rid of their drummer and instrumentalists and go it almost “alone” and, yes, probably get by on their past reputation. That’s not a nice thing to do to your audience, especially if they’ve been life-long fans. It really is like watching Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson in the last days of their fighting careers.

Now, I’ll tell you where I’m coming from so you’ll better understand why I’m feeling this way. I very rarely tell this to anyone, because....a) nobody cares, and b) nobody even understands what I'm saying! But....here goes anyway...

I’ve been playing since I was 12 years old, professionally from 18, full-time from early twenties. I never, ever thought about anything but making good music to please the one who gave me the music talent (my Creator) and His people (my audience). I always felt it was my responsibility and obligation to give back to a system that was good to me. With that understanding, I applied myself totally to being the best I could be for my audience, and not for me. I spent hours and hours and hours of study, and not just music study. It was learning songs, researching songs, building up musical knowledge of peripheral topics, studying audiences (as both I and others play), learning how to talk on stage, singing lessons, etc. I’m sure you get my drift.

I feel anyone with legitimate music talent owes it to whoever gave it to them (their own Creator) to entertain the rest of society in the best way possible and that‘s why they were given music capabilities. I DON’T feel what these acts are doing are helping people right now who are living in a present world of complexity, confusion, and troubled times to cope with it. I feel those of us who play music, need to give back by learning their craft properly and bringing as much sunshine into the lives of others that they can through music.

Incidentally, I didn’t mention the other imitation musicians I’ve seen up to now. There wouldn’t be enough space. But I will say, when I watch an act, I not only study the performers, I also study the audience. They’re NOT tapping their feet, snapping their fingers, moving their bodies in time to the music, and they seem to applaud only out of obligation.

So now I trust you understand why I started this thread. I feel I really can’t give back to ANYONE anymore. That it’s all about the “new kids on the block” who have lowered the bar so much that soon, with all this music technology available now, you’ll have more (unqualified) musicians performing than “civilians” to listen to them. The level of musicianship will sink to a new low as more and more wannabes go out there with no training, only a desire for a paycheck.

All the joy is out of the job. And....I’m at the point where I’m thinking about all the energy I have to put into playing now and how I have to market myself against the “weekend warriors” and everything else that I have to compete with in entertaining these days.

After all these years, I’m not sure I’d miss it, it’s just not the fun game and the satisfying game it used to be.

But, I’m reading everything you guys wrote and thinking not a one of you entertained the idea of giving it all up. So I’m going back to my “crossroads” for now.

BTW...I’ve been thinking these last few weeks about how do you give back to the system other than through music? I’m considering becoming a therapist and giving up music entirely. I’m thinking people could be better served by dialoguing with them. It appears the need for folks to talk out their problems is greater than the need for good music.

And the biggest decision of all. What do I do with my PA3x? I’d have to run a Chinese Auction on the SynthZone....or give it to the Boys Club!

Mark

I’d really like to hear more viewpoints on how this portrait I've painted is affecting a lot of you. Maybe I’m missing something?