I'm pretty sure that, by Christmas, I will have worked over 15,000 jobs since I started 50 years ago. For nearly 40 years, I worked 6 nights a week. In the last 10 years I have averaged 4, plus. Add film scores and jingles
for a very satisfying life doing what I love.
Much of the satisfaction comes from interaction with other musicians, and you folks are part of that.

Man, am I old and tired!

Russ (whew) LAy

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 12-03-2005).]

Russ,

Congratulations on your milestone--not many folks get to work 15,000 jobs in this business, and damned few have been as successful as you. As for retirement, forget it--you're self employed and retirement comes just 3 short days after you're dead!

Here's hoping you get to do another 15,000 before retirement,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

....quite an accomplishment Captain ... congratulations ...
t.

For Pete's Sake Russ....take a night off...

...and give the rest of us a chance....

Congrats......my tired friend...btw....I can relate...We played a big gig in the Victoria Conference Centre last night, dragged my weary butt home at 2:30am, and for the first time, I feel physically drained, more than ever before.

I'm thinking You & I oughtta set a spell on the porch and whittle, while the young folk play in the crawdadd creek...

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...shboom

Hey you ol'e "Hambone" quit goofin off and get your a$$ back to work.....hehehe...man,
you deserve a standing ovation...congrats...
thanks again...I owe ya....as Gary says, all us ol'e guys gotta stick together....
TR

Congratulations. That's an amazing milestone to reach Russ. It really is something to be proud of. And something tells me that No. 15,000 won't be the last one by any means.

My wife recently bought me a T-Shirt with "Old Guys Rule" on it. After hearing about Russ I guess she's right

Hey Russ,
I played 6 nights a week for 4 years, on my last gig, got my engineering degree and quit playing for 20 years.
Bebop

Russ congratulations on that accomplishment!!! Very impressive to say the least. Nah, you're not old and tired. If you were you'd probably be sitting back in a rocking chair and not doing all that you're doing.

Thanks a bunch, guys. The "old and tired" reference was a bit of an overstatement. I was just surprised at the numbers.

When I go to work tonite, I'll still get that little "rush". I decided years ago to only do for a living what I'd do for fun.
And, I'm still having fun!

I'm 61 and just took on a job for a group of Italian manufacturers that will probably take 5 years to complete. Music is useful in everything I do. Many of the marketing projects require audio tracks, film scores, jingles, etc. Plus, it keeps you young(er).
I don't watch sports, drink (any more), chase women (any more), fix cars, golf, cut grass...can't repair ANYTHING, etc. That gives me the time to do the one thing I've been doing longer than anything else; playing and learning music. And I learn something every time I pick up an instrument. The extra money paid for my education, nursing school for Annie, graduate school for three kids, lots of toys
and now let's me help out the unfortunate and support some causes I believe dearly in
(Hospice, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Cancer Society, the University of Kentucky, U of L, TRansylvania University
and a small group I helped found called B.A.W.L. (Bluegrass Animal Welfare League). This organization funds free and low-cost spay/neuters (over 500 per year) and does humane education in elementary schools.

Every day, I appreciate how very fortunate I've been. Part of that is a deep appreciation for you folks and our sharing of one of the greatest gifts in the world....MUSIC!

I'm so glad you folks are part of my life.

The best, always,

Russ

. and we are sure glad you're part of our world .... Well said, and Well Done !!!
t.