I have posted to this thread before in an effort to cheer up another old-timer who seemed discouraged. In truth, I was discouraged but too proud to admit defeat. So, I kept plugging away. I was trying to form a band with an excellent guitarist friend but kept running into the same thing. If the auditioned musician was good, regardless of age, there was generally some other issue that prevented participation. If the musician was not so good, they were available (of course there may have still been issues).
I would go to auditions with other bands. Now I am (according to my wife) the pickiest man in the world. Having played professionally with top-notch players like Adrian Belew, I did not want to settle for less. Some of the bands I auditioned for wanted me to play for them but I guess I then had issues because they just did not meet the standard I expected. I really wanted to play for one band with whom I auditioned with but I think they had an issue with my age, 58 (friends say I look 45, but then again, they're friends).
I have been going through this process for nearly three years and just when I had almost given up all hope my prayers were answered. I auditioned for and got the gig with some of the finest musicians with whom I have ever played, and just like me they all want to keep their day jobs. The band is comprised of two guitars, a drummer and me on the bottom end. Only two sing but their voices are so strong you would think you were hearing three-part harmony, and one of the guitarist's has one of the best rock voices I have ever heard.
While both guitarist's are stunning lead players, the drummer is a walking metronome. I played for a short while with drummer Steve Turner, who went on to play with the Pointer Sisters, among other musical accomplishments. This drummer shares Steve Turner's incredible feel for cadence, plus he is what I would call a fat-back drummer. Funky. The drummer is the youngest at 31, the guitarists are in their mid-forties and I am the old man. I feel blessed to have made the cut and just want to issue a word of encouragement to any of you old-timers out there who may be feeling discouraged. Keep pluggin'.
You may hear my new band, Ninety Nine Cents, at
www.ninetyninecents.net and I want to say thank you to everyone on this site who offered similar encouragement to me. I extend my heartfelt appreciation.