Just got back from getting an MRI for a knee repair to be scheduled in a week or so. Having repetitive Afib incidences. Just started Eliquis blood thinner ($450 a month with good insurance). Bad gout attacks and hospitalizations are more frequent (4 last year). Have a heart aneurysm
they are watching closely. Pacemaker takes multiple adjustments to keep things "ticking".

I will be 80 on Sunday, the 29th.

Some things have got to go. Sadly, live playing is the first to be gone. After 68 years playing at least 4 nights a week, with 9 weeks of vacation, that's a hard one to get used to.

I am closing my production company, where we have been doing video production, audio, copy, communications research and design.
Logan, my son who has worked for me since he graduated in 1990, started a neat new job with a non-profit; the Carnegie Literacy center. It is well established, well funded and they do great work in the area of education in the fields of writing, poetry, learning to get published
video production...anything in the areas of communication processes.

I will concentrate of production of about 3 films a month (copy, shooting, editing, etc.), one major sound score for a car manufacturer, teaching at the graduate level and producing a course called "Cutting through the Clutter". That work is something I have been planning for over 50 years. It will involve writing a textbook, a workbook, lesson guides and working on an on-line version. A version of the text will be published as a business education book. I already have a publisher.

I have sold over 250 instruments. Funds collected are going to various charities specializing in assisting down in their luck musicians in New Orleans and other locations. Don't worry, I have 51 string instruments, over 30 amplifiers, 14 keyboards, including a C-3, a B-3, am M-3, a suitcase Rhodes, and a Hodge-podge of lighting, sound and stage items left. I just built a small production facility behind a duplex I own. Most of the stuff left over will go there. One side of the duplex will be my office. My long-time office manager lives on the other side.


This is a major change, but I have been lucky. As much as I love to play, I am into education, graphics, video and other related communication related endeavors equally.And, my advantage in these endeavors is often the audio part I produce.

Wish me luck! I think I'm going to need it!

Appreciate you folks A WHOLE BUNCH!


Russ

First, congrats on your birthday #80 !!! 💐

Ayay Captain ⚓,
this certainly looks to be a major change for you, but it's a time for everything they say, and I'm sure you will adapt to the new and not as busy situation in a while.

Wishing you best of luck and also best wishes for a healthy and happy retirement. 👍

You're very appreciated too Russ! 🌞

Wishing you all the best, Russ! Do as much as you can, I think the key to a long, happy life is a sense of purpose!!

Wishing you the best , Russ. I hope you take some time to enjoy life too, whatever that means to you.

I would think it’s probably a good time for your son to change careers too. Synths, and samples replaced live players, now AI is replacing composers. Progress ?

Awesome, Russ. About time you slowed down, you’re making us young people look like slackers! 😂

Mind you, you at ‘retirement’ speed still runs ahead of most of us…!

Enjoy the new pace, I have a feeling you still have time to enjoy that new schedule. 🎹😎

Good for you Russ…you’ve certainly earned a breather. Although it doesn’t sound like you’re kickin’ back much. Hope you take the time you need to stay healthy and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Mitch

Looks like you still accomplish more things in a week than me in a year, so congratulations on that :-)

You prove that diversification pays off, at least when it's done right; I've always been into photo and video shooting myself, but I'm yet to determine my genre.

It is good that you stay busy and want to do things, changes can be good as well.

Good for you Russ. You can't keep up that schedule forever and it seems you've kinda tapered... You'll always be busy and social and that is your niche. Great guy. Happy for you