I am 74 and I am still getting calls to play music. The dollars are not as good as they were. What keeps coming back to me is my friend�s statement;
�Quit music before they quit you�.
To give it up is not an easy thing to do, the love of playing, the energy, and the self-gratification of performing � can you imagine less and less calls until the phone stopped ringing. Aaaaaaah

My question; When is it time? Better still, When is it the best time to leave.

Looking for something to think about, your thoughts will help.

John C.

never!

When you can no longer make the fingers do what you tell them ...OR, they carry you out in a box.. I shall be 81 in a couple of days and the phone still rings. Not as often as before admittedly but enough to keep me happy. It aint the playing but the lugging about of equipment that becomes more of a chore.

NEVER GIVE UP !!!!!!!!

Hallo Bruno,
the great Pianist Artur Rubinstein played Piano with more than 90 years of age.
Greetings
Peter

thats the spirit....get a rock & roller kart for the gear.....never leave home without one
http://www.rocknrollercart.com/

My wife says I can retire three days after I'm dead. In my case, it will be somewhat like the movie "Weekend At Bernie's" only I'll be sitting behind a keyboard and she'll be swatting the flies off me.

Never Quit!

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

Interesting question...
Many years ago, with the band we had in NYC, we were speaking with a guest at a function we were playing ... He said to us "I USED to play also..." but he had 'retired' from playing ... Later, we were discussing how we would never want to say "I USED to play..."
After being with the band for 26 years, I moved to RI ... With out the 'security blanket' of the other 4 guys, I did not play 'out' for about 7 years, and found myself saying "I used to play..." I got out and started gigging again, and I don't EVER intend to quit ... In fact, as I have said before, when I retire from the day job in Feb., I will accomplish my dream of being a "Full-time Professional Musician" ...
t.

There's your answer, John. As long as the joy is there, keep playing. If it's not for the money, give it to someone you can teach how to haul and set-up your equipment. Keep playing = have fun!

Glenn

Hi John

I think one needs to think and do things that makes them feel good and happiest.

Scott

Donny, John T. Peter, Gary, Glen and Tony �Thanks.

A little lift is always appreciated. I still have not learned that we only have today --- worry, worry and worry about tomorrow only makes me confused.

OK, I�ll give another go, thanks again. Boy, that was easy.

John C.

GREAT ATTITUDES! I've been at it 50 years (I'm 61) with only 9 weeks off from playing at least 4 nights a week. And, I AIN'T DEAD, YET!

Music and playing/performing is a good part of what my life is all about.

Still "pick" pretty well...just don't "grin" as much as I used to!


the best to everyone!


Russ

I share the view with most comments, I'll never quit playing unless a physical disablity stops me from doing so. Tony when you go full time save me some of the evening gigs at the senior centers, since you'll be able to play the daytime gigs

It's a serious question. I'd think that as long as people want to hear you, keep playing. Really that simple. If they don't call anymore...

OTOH, I'm thinking of a song... uh... a John Anderson song... oh yeah...

Written by one of Nashville's greatest writers, Bobby Braddock. And a great record by John Anderson. How can anyone not like country music?

WOULD YOU CATCH A FALLING STAR
Performed by John Anderson
Capo on 1st fret

[C]You know the crowd was very [F]small for a country music [C]show
But he faked a curtain [G]call---, just like it was years a-[C]go
And then a lady grabbed his [F]arm as he staggered down the [C]aisle
And with all his country [G]charm, [F]he addressed her with a [C]smile

CHORUS
[C]Would you catch a fallin' [F]star before he crashes to the [C]ground
Don't you know how people [G]are---, nobody loves you when you're [C]down
Pick me up and take me [F]home and I'll bring my old gui-[C]tar
Sing a golden oldie [G]song, [F] if you'll catch a fallin' [C]star

[C]He had a silver plated [F]bus and a million country [C]fans
And now there's just a few of [G]us--- and he drives a little [C]van
An' they were beating down his [F]door, the lovely women, left and [C]right
And now he's on the hardwood [G]floor, [F] a-wonderin' where he'll spend the night

CHORUS
[C]Would you catch a fallin' [F]star before he crashes to the [C]ground
Don't you know how people [G]are---, nobody loves you when you're [C]down
Pick him up and take me [F]home and he'll bring his old gui-[C]tar
Sing a golden oldie [G]song, [F] if you'll catch a fallin' [C]star

Sing a golden oldie [G]song, [F] if you'll catch a fallin' [C]star

------------------
Bill
Yamaha PSR2000

John, Music's in our blood, so only stops when the heart stops. I trust you'll be playing music for many years to come. - Scott

Keep doing it until you get no more joy from it - hopefully never!

Plus, it never hurts to find a younger singing guitarist (maybe in his 50's or 60's!) that can drive and carry your keyboard for you (just get a light one!!). Musical dialog is what keeps the juices flowing - you only get so much listening to yourself solo, and start to fret too much about the slipping of skills.....

I am pretty sure I will stop playing when I am forced to buy a Yamaha..

I plan to stop playing music the day after my funeral.

Hi John,
age is no criteria, you're as young as you feel.
While you've got your health , enthusiasm & ability to keep performing, go for it.

Hubby became a parapalegic at 28 due to a building accident at work. A year later he packed us up, moved & started his own building company. We ran it till a couple of years ago when he became seriously ill. He's had to give it away totally, but I know he still misses it, ( he was only in his mid 50's)
Don't give it away before you're ready, keep doing what you luv.

best wishes
rikki

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bruno123:
[B]

[This message has been edited by rikkisbears (edited 08-22-2006).]

John, John, John . . .what are you thinking?

Here's a true story that's certain to please.

A lifelong friend of mine in the U.K. has, at the age of 64 (just two years older than myself) has just joined Britain's premier comedy group. They don't do the worldwide tours any more, but they take about 6 or 7 engagements a month around the U.K.

When I asked Len about it, he said "Why not. This life is too darn short to give up on the things that you love".

The band's motto is "Bop till ya drop". For me, that's the only way to look at it. So keep on rockin, my man!!

John,
Keep playing, for your own personal enjoyment, even if "the phone stops ringing" and the dollars don't come in.

I found this short film footage that kind of fits here.
Shows a party of happy people getting entertained by a good ol happy-go-lucky music maker.
Music Making People Happy

Make someone happy, even if its just yourself. It doesn't take much, doesn't require anything fancy, no frills.

OK?
Good!
Now get back to those scales and the finger excercises.

I forgot to mention that if you can learn a Donald Duck voice like Norman in the video, the dollars will be there.

[This message has been edited by MrEd (edited 08-22-2006).]

The only thing I can't imagine is not answering the phone when it does ring or not wanting to accept the job. I agree that while people want you to play you must continue to play music. Besides playing music helps to keep you alive.

John I don't really think you have a choice other than to keep playing while you still can.

I left a family on the Technics discussion site when I changed keyboards.
I have been looking to replace that family here on this forum. It�s happening, thanks to all, this is a good place. (Fran and all �ooops what did I do Aaaaaah. Sorry, it slipped)

John C.



[This message has been edited by bruno123 (edited 08-23-2006).]

MUSIC - Miles John Lyrics - Music Lyrics

Music was my first love
And it will be my last
Music of the future
And music of the past

To live without my music
Would be impossible to do
In this world of troubles
My music pulls me through

Music was my first love
And it will be my last
Music of the future
And music of the past (3x)

Music was my first love
And it will be my last
Music of the future
And music of the past

To live without my music
Would be impossible to do
'Cuz in this world of troubles
My music pulls me through

THIS THREAD IS A THING OF BEAUTY. CONGRATS TO ALL.
Miami Mo

Im 26 ...and i admire people who are living proof that age is just a number...take arnold schwarzenegger for example.. He did Terminator 3 at age 56 and he was in FANTASTIC shape...would make a guy half his age look out of shape. ..and then theres the 61 year old Stallone who just finished shooting Rocky Balboa...next month he begins filming Rambo iv. I for one have great admiration for actors like these cos they never quit and stay in great shape... I am inspired by them....they should be role models...not todays young actors...they dont inspire me... So let me quote a line from the upcoming Rocky film..."if you know what you're worth...go out and GET what you're worth...and keep moving foward" ... So dont u ever stop playing your music... U are musicians to the last day of your life... Ur age is only a sign of wisdom...ur hearts remain young.. Live life to the FULLEST..

I say keep going John as long as you are happy with what you are doing and have an audience. I think it was Frankie Lane that was on the PBS oldies special at age 94! Those great performers should inspire everyone!

[This message has been edited by W Tracy Parnell (edited 08-27-2006).]