(Great Song...)!

I'm at the age where I am really starting to evaluate where I've been and what I'll do for the rest of my life.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting to expire later this month or anything. I still plan to travel overseas on playing jobs 6-8 time a year, play 300 gigs, do film scores and film production, teach, serve as guardian for two ladies (both widows of long-time friends), be active in charitable organizations, etc.

But the fact is, I AM a 68 year old dude with lots of miles on me.

Thing is, I don't think that it is set in stone that I set my kids up for life. I had it pretty rough (not even enough for lunch money in school), but that taught me to be self-sufficient at a very early age. I started playing for an adult's salary at 11 and was able to help support 4 brothers and help them escape a rough, physically abusing situation. That is one of the reasons playing music is so important to me.

Now, I need to figure out what to do for my kids and what to do with the things I have accumulated.

Here's the plan:

* Finish the music based youth center here in Lexington I'm planning, including fully stocking it with instruments and computers. Design a plan for deserving kids to earn a professional quality instrument if they progress appropriately.

* Make a significant contribution to the New Orleans Habitat project (6 figures, with some input on my part about what is done with my contribution).

* Leave each of my three children $500,000.00. That's enough to give them a measure of safety, but not enough for them to just give up and "play" for the rest of their lives. They need to earn their own way, not live their whole lives waiting for the old man to die. The two boys can each choose 10 instruments each (they both play and have, probably 20 each now I have given/bought for them over the years). For my daughter, I'll forgive some sizable loans she has gotten from us over the years.

* I've set up an education trust to cover the college costs of 4 grand kids.

* I have willed some collectible guitars to three favorite Synthzone members. This is REALLY important..."feel good" stuff to me.

* I'm leaving $25,000.00 each to three brothers and sisters from Mexico I have come close to (dad is a buss boy at a club I play). I'm considering adding them to my family education trust.

* The houses, warehouse, commercial property, instruments, vehicles, personal items and remaining funds in accounts and investment vehicles will all be converted to cash and donated
to my favorite charitable organizations, including the Nursing home reform group I serve on as a Director. About a 10th of the estate would build a physical center and provide enough investment income to cover annual operations costs.

Needless to say, some family members are not happy about the plan. Some, particularly, nephews, a cousin and an uncle have talked to others about their "inheritance" for years and even asked for "advances" often. Loans to these folks amount to several hundred thousand dollars...never to be paid back, I'm sure.

My problem is, that means the majority of my net worth will go to people and organizations other than my own kids and direct relatives.

I've been told by folks expecting more that that's pretty cold.

What do you think? I have an appointment to alter my will per above next Wednesday.

Russ
(the stingy old bastard)

Russ (the NEVER stingy old bastard) ... you are SUCH a giving person !!! ...
'Giving' is a very personal thing ... while I can see where some might question your 'gifts' to your children relative to what you are giving to charitable organizations, the important thing is that YOU are comfortable with it ...

God Bless you,
t.

Basically, I agree with Tony........whatever you're comfortable with. My 'afterlife' plans are somewhat complicated by the fact that it's pretty much a certainty that my wife is going to outlive me.....and I can't think of any way to change that (that won't land me in jail ).

chas

Chas, I know you have a son and little grandson, so I would appreciate your thoughts on your perception of what's fair to the kids. I remember you telling me about your son and his business, so he may be self-sufficient. My young guy is doing OK. My oldest is hanging out at the warehouse, helping me with moving equipment and edits, but could never take over the business and has never paid his own way. My daughter has been struggling thru marriages and jobs forever and will never be able to make it on her own.

Please respond or email what you would do in this situation.


"Inquiring minds want to know...".


R.

Russ, that's a tough one. My situation is different in many ways but similar in some respects. Warren Buffet once famously said, "I'll leave my children enough for them to do something but not enough for them to do nothing". Sounds very similar to your philosophy. As you know, my son is a founding partner in a small but prosperous venture capital company. They were backed from the beginning by Goldman-Sachs and later by other investors. His net worth is at least 10 times mine and growing. My daughter majored in Art ('nuff said), is generous to a fault, and anything I left her would eventually wind up in the pockets of her friends. My two grandsons have and will continue to have, a privilledged life and don't really need anything from us, and although we have left them 50k/ea, it is mostly a token acknowledgement that me MIGHT be remotely related . The rest of my family is comfortable enough that they don't really need anything from us and wouldn't be expecting anything anyway. We paid $5k to have a lawyer draw up a will with free modifications and updates for life. I think this is smart as the 'snapshot' Will you draw up today may not express your wishes 1,2,3 years down the road (situations change). My son will be the ultimate administrator of our will and we have made provisions for three seperate situations: 1. I die first 2. My wife dies first (unlikely) and 3. we go out together (car accident or murder/suicide ).

In the end, I'm not sure I really care what happens after I'm gone. I'll have to give it more thought. Maybe, if I have sufficient notice, I'll make one final post on Synthzone and let all my 'friends' know what I REALLY think about arranger keyboards .

chas

Yea, I'm sure not a soul here knows what you REALLY think about Arrangers (LOL)!

Don't hold back!


Russ

Russ ... If the kids are upset about your plans, how about setting some realistic, meaningful goals for them and when (if) they achieve them you up the ante ... no different than in the business world ...

Tony, I'm having a hard time with a kid not being happy about getting $500,000.00 tax free dollars.

These "kids" are 45, 40 and 37 years old. And, they still come to dad often for "bailouts" and other financial help.

I may also give each boy a rental house in the $125,000.00 range if they keep it as an investment for at least 10 years.

Maybe that will teach them about taking care of property and the costs and headaches associated with ownership.

I watched my dear father-in-law work his whole life. None of his spoiled kids ever learned to support him/herself, tried to get "inheritance money" early (before he passed) and asked for "a little help" until the day the poor man died.

I don't think he did them any long-term favors. When he knew he couldn't manage his financial affairs, he asked me to do it, not one of his natural kids. He told me he didn't think he could count on them to "do it right".

The more I think of it, I'm not warm to the idea of creating three "instant millionaires".

They need to learn to earn it themselves, or they need to reach a point in life where they're happy and productive at a level that works for them.

After all, it's not like I plan to leave them destitute.

Average individual new worth in 2012 is around $78,000.00. Each will have over 5 times that much, plus whatever they have accumulated.


Russ

Russ,

Having a lot of wealth to spread around is great, and I applaud your success, and all your conrtibutions to those in need, make me one of your admirers.

But I have heard stories from those that "have" that it can become a divider, especially among family members. With that, you just need to do what you think is right. You did not become who you are without both a drive to succeed, and a passion for others. They say "Family First", but then that's not always the case if 'family' is only around when they need something. So best advise from me is...Follow your heart.

I still would like it, if one day ... You, me Chas, and Tony (and any other interested SZ'ers) to meet someday and share a laugh and a drink.

Good Luck with your monetary decision.

Larry

Russ ... After reading your reply above, I go back to my original thought - as long as YOU are comfortable with what you are doing, that's what matters ...

Russ, I think you have it all worked out. You are a very wise man and listen to what is in your heart. I only hope that I can be as wise as you are and as sensitive.

chas, I know you really want to be the first Synth Zone member to receive a post humous ban And you know I will lift it a few months later lol. You must know by now you are always welcome here dead or alive.

Chas will probably pass at 120 years old; B-3 at full volume at a premier strip club, having just kicked the S*** out of a jealous boyfriend of the top dancer, who suspects he's been seeing the entire Dallas cowboy cheerleader roster on the side (LOL)!


"jealous" Russ

Chas will be buried in a Dallas Cowboys shirt with a clerical collar. Pallbearers will be Rush, Hannity, Beck, and O'Reilly, and the eulogy will be spoken by George Bush. Dick Cheney, and Laura Ingraham are also scheduled to articulate last words.

Ted Nugent will sing the final farewell song with an accordion backing...playing 'Who Stole The Kiszka Polka'.

The 21 assault weapon gun salute will performed by members of the John Birch Soceity, preceded by a final farewell gospel from Pastor Jerry Jones.

Later Ann Coulter will host a final, no alcohol, dinner party for Chas, however, sorry, only those making over $250,000 are invited. In memory of Chas, she will be signing and selling her books. All profits from the Chas Memorial Dinner will be going to the GOP Super Pack

All of this, of course, will be covered live by 'Fox and Friends'.

What a way to go Chas...

And here I thought nobody loved me .

chas

After much thought, I have decided to make monetary provisions in my will for the following:

1. A (mandatory) seat in Jerry Jones stadium box as Dallas trounces a badly undermanned (decimated by injuries) Eagles team at their next meetup (PAYBACK for his last post).

2. Anger management classes for Russ (The bar fights have GOT to stop).

3. A new TOTL Casio for SqueakD (to replace his old ones).

4. A ticket to the Masters for DonM (the only way he's ever going to get there).

5. A spankin' new TOTL Accordion for Tony (except all the buttons will be 'mute' buttons).

6. A $5000 fund to be paid out in 25.00 increments to Diki for each time he posts something cheerful, positive, and hopeful (a $25.00 BONUS if it's about the Audya or Mediastation).

7. A lifetime supply of Viagra for Fran (just in case one of those young ladies ever said 'yes').

8. Music lessons for a select group of Synthzoners who will be named shortly before I draw my last breath (will also include singing lessons for some).

9. A crate of (mostly) fresh crawfish shipped from NOLA to Brickboo by ExpressMail (along with the CORRECT chords to 'Body and Soul').

10. and finally, in my memory, a 'MOST LOVED SYNTHZONE MEMBER' plaque inscribed with my name, to be mounted in Nigel's living room.

chas

OK ... this thread is OFFICIALLY declared HIJACKED!!!

... sorry, Russ ...

Payback is a bi_ch.

and

As you can see from my new avatar, I have aged since meeting you all...not that long ago. It's not my fault I got old.

No problem at all, TONY. This is GREAT STUFF!

Like I say, the difference between "crazy" and "creative" is $50,000.00 annually.

ANY POSTER HERE WHO MAKES LESS IS JUST A CRAZY SOB. The rest are creative a hell.

Enjoyed every post and appreciate each of you folks.


Russ

Hi Russ, I am both crazy and "creative", but back to your topic.
This can be a serious problem with families as you have shown.
My mother always expounded that whatever she had not spent was to be divided equally between my two brothers and myself.
Although my eldest brother predeceased all of us, we had agreed to still divide three ways including his wife. We found it simple but that may not fit all cases.
I have two daughters and sons-in-law whom I trust implicitly and "The Gardener and I have left "it all" to them equally. (Again, whatever we have not spent)
The Saint
PS I am sure Taike and myself could adequately disperse/dispense your accumulated assets to our satisfaction and solve the monetary situation in both our countries if you cannot resolve this dilemma

You got it chas. I have a spot already for it. And you don't have to be dead. I would be happy to put it up and photograph it for you while you could still get a laugh from it.

Why do I get the feeling it's going to be the loo instead of the living room .

chas

The loo, Chas? That's easy! "If you don't like it....P*** on it!"(LOL)!

Seriously, your handling of the issue of member contributions, both on arranger and vocally, was done with humor, while still making a valid point.

I wrestle with being honest and really hurting feelings and causing resentment or just keeping quiet.

I appreciate every post, but have a hard time with the really bad ones represented as professional efforts.

R.

Well I hadn't actually thought of that .... but that is pretty damned funny lol

Don't Russ ... Just pass on by the posts that you can't agree with. It really doesn't matter at all. Nothing to get uptight about. It really means nothing in the overall picture. I couldn't continue to maintain this website if I got emotionally involved with all the forum posts. So I don't.

I don't know how you do it Nigel - and I must take my Hat Off to you. When I started the hammondzone yahoo group years ago, it became a monster in my head. I remember one time (it was unmoderated for the first few years) Someone decided to 'come out'. The guy took some terrible abuse and I was forced to switch the group to moderated. He emailed me afterward, not to thank me but to complain. He said he cannot tolerate censorship and was leaving the group!

I was so relieved and thankful for the excellent moderators that look after things now...it has over 4700 members.

Nigel, I understand your attitude, but I have a hard time posting my work, when it doesn't seem to matter, quality-wise, what is posted, sometimes.

I have posted music only twice in over 10 years (my actual sign-up date was three-4 years before the one that now shows, due to a crash years ago).

To me, posting anything that wasn't at least correct-structure-wise-would be an insult to members. I'd be embarrassed.

Yet, we get some real clinkers here, and, if they're from established members, we all just rave about them.

That's not doing the poster any good. That makes me question the whole process of sharing music here.

When I posted last, I was looking for honest comments from people I respected about the level of my ability after an injury. All comments were kind. Maybe they weren't all completely honest. Honesty is what I needed.

No big thing, but I sometimes struggle with it. Perhaps I shouldn't believe ANY comments about my posts or those put up by anyone else.

And, because of the tendency to be "nice", rather than "honest", posting music doesn't seem to be worth the effort, sometimes.


Russ (tone deaf) Lay

I remember that post Russ and I really enjoyed your performance. It was the musicality I enjoyed despite your physical difficulties. And I know you have a good ear and sense of musical judgement so despite it being your own performance you still could appreciate the musical content or you wouldn't have bothered posting it and asking for our opinions.

If I remember correctly on that post of yours I talked about Django overcoming an even more dramatic physical problem and still being able to present some of the most wonderful gypsy jazz the world has ever heard. It is the musical content that matters not how the music may have sounded if the physical problem had never happened. In fact working around the physical problems may even draw out a new aspect of the musicality. I certainly think that was the case with Django and you must draw on that when dealing with your own difficulties. While your hands are certainly a big part of performance the music itself doesn't start there, it comes from your mind and that hasn't changed at all.

sorry - i misunderstood your post Russ and so my reply makes no sense

Darren, still I understand that aspect of forum posts that you mention as well as what Russ is talking about. I have had my share of that here at Synth Zone over the years. I ended up having to be heavy handed to bring things into line. That is something I don't like having to do but it became necessary to avoid the forums getting totally out of control which was diminishing the value of the forums. Most issues were resolved over time and in the end only one or two members ended up being prevented from returning permanently. I can totally understand people having personal conflicts and while I will still not tolerate that it is not deserving of a permanent ban. That is simply human nature and we can all be guilty of that from time to time. It is only when members attempt to deceive me or blatantly abuse my allowing them back on I will ban them permanently ... and it is very rare that that occurs.

Nigel, you would have been one hell of a corporate manager in a company that featured a high level of diversity (still don't know how you're able to keep all these Republicans in line ).

chas

Some of us are just too nice and can't criticize ...seriously there is a fine line one needs to toe when making comments on performances. Too tough, and feelings could be hurt, and friendships could be lost. But all nice, all the time, comments can come across phony. Nothing worse than "Nice Job", "Keep Up The Good Work". Reminds me of the old Bandstand days when Dick Clark had kids evaluate a new record. They almost all had the same line... "Well, it had a good beat, and it was easy to dance to"
Generic responses are not helpful, better to say nothing.

So my (new) policy... If it just plain bad, I won't say anything, unless the artist WANTS me to point out any flaws I hear or see. However if it's a good performance I almost always let him know that's it's either great, or try to point out what could make a 'good' into a 'great'. (not that I'm an expert, just try to help)

Again, it's not easy being a 'judge', not all of us can be a Simon Cowell, and be brutaly honest

I guess a question at the heart of this issue is, don't the worst posters have any idea that they are awful....can't play or sing at anywhere near a professional level?


Russ

.......but, if I could....:)

Larry, I agree with everything you said....AS IT PERTAINS TO AMATEURS. BUT, when you represent yourself as a 'PRO', you are going to be judged by 'pro' standards. You think people like Taylor 'I sing in the right key MOST of the time' Swift and Britney Spears don't catch a boatload of grief? Making big time money helps ease the pain but I'm sure it also makes them strive to improve (even if it means just getting better pitch correction software next time out:) ). However, because of the delicate nature of relationships on this board, your 'if you can't say something good, don't say anything' policy is probably the best one (in ALL situations). I do understand Russ's dilemma though. My own tongue is raw and bleeding from having to bite it so much . Ahhhh, gotta love this forum.

chas

On a forum like this I admit brutal honesty is not even encouraged as it just comes across as being inflammatory in text which I won't tolerate due to the problems it causes. The forum is for all arranger players not just pro players. If your only response would be brutal then say nothing ... otherwise offer some constructive criticism that may actually help improve the performance.

I don't want any players to be discouraged from posting as that has been a problem in the past and I don't want that to become the case again.

.....well, except for that one guy that couldn't keep time in a bucket; played everything one measure ahead or one measure behind. Even the stuff in the middle was off beat. Someone HAD to tell him to go take up tennis. Mercifully, he stopped posting music. I think his music teacher may have shot him. Of course, that was a special case .

chas

I once went to see a customer to repair his Hammond Console, all the time I was there he played home recordings of himself doing something unimaginable to the keyboards of the organ and kept saying - I have never had a lesson...its marvellous!

Most times I can find something good to say about peoples playing...but honestly I never heard anything like it in my life!

To my ears it was an audio version of Willem de Kooning "Woman".

You are being very practical. You can't take it with you- it won't get you better seats in Heaven's Superbowl. I would do two things to try and ward of bickering:

1- Keep the terms secret until after the event of your passing

2- Add a clause that anyone who contests the will or takes other legal action to obtain assets in excess of your wishes be cut out of the will permanently.