What do you do for a living?

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 30 May 2009 2:22 pm

Shame on all of you "weekend warriors"! According to some, you have "screwed up the industry" for the full-time working musicians.

Click Here

The original topic drift towards the "weekend warriors" starts on page 2.

By the way, I'm a banker, but I've enjoyed playing music since the 1960's. No plans to give it up, either!

Lee, from South Texas

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 30 May 2009 2:44 pm

Retired now but, was a high pressure pipe welder by trade in N. Canada doing pipelines and natural gas plants. I got tired of laying in the mud and snow and ended up in the technical side of the welding and became a welding engineer. I spent the last twelve years of my career with Mobil Oil (as a construction consultant) in Northern Canada before it amalgamated with Exxon.

Spent four years living off playing music when I was in my early twenties; however, it was a tough way to live so decided to join the real world and enrolled in a trade school.

Chuck Huffman · Post by **Chuck Huffman** » 30 May 2009 2:49 pm

I'm retired now but for the last fifteen years I was in Law Enforcement. I was a L.E. instructor, F.T.O., S.R.O. and bike officer. I served with municiple departments and finished my career as a Deputy Sheriff here in California due to an injury I had to medical retire. I've been able to work with a lot of great folks over the years.
I forgot to list what I did prior to L.E. After School I worked for a water company, then onto International Paper Company ( print Press Operator) I also grew up pouring concrete with my father and owned a concrete buisness. I put myself through school to get out of construction.
I'm getting ready to go back and do something I can't stand not having a job.

I'm not a weekend player, I just play to the walls and I love it

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 30 May 2009 2:51 pm

Chuck Huffman wrote: I'm not a weekend player, I just play to the walls and I love it

(Hello Walls, How Are You Today)

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 30 May 2009 4:38 pm

i used to be a steel player. then i got leukemia...then i got throat cancer....now i'm a steel player again!

does playgirl feature 61 yr old steel players? i could use some extra income to fix my teeth!

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 30 May 2009 4:39 pm

Good luck to you!

My first paying job was in a metal shop, where I met the foreman and noticed a funny feeling of his hand when we shook. In showing me around, he asked me if I knew anything about metal.

"I had metal shop in junior high," I replied.

Well, that's good," he said, showing me his hand with its three fingertips missing, "but remember: you'll never know more than the metal."

And with that, again, good luck in your career.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 30 May 2009 4:47 pm

career...?? you call this a career..??

we don't need no stinking badges...!!

see what playing steel does for you.....

youngsters beware!!

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 30 May 2009 6:50 pm

Austin,

First I would like to 2nd what Mikey D. said.

Second:

I was a field service rep for a cardiac monitor mfg., caught in a downsizing, sold motorcycles for two years after that, back when people were still buying stuff.

I used to work at the old "Steel Guitar World" in Goodlettsville for Bobbe Seymour, did some guitar and amp repair in my garage shop after that.

I am presently between fortunes.

Never played professionally, have no desire to start. Play strictly for my own entertainment, and that of my wifes and my two dogs, none of them have a problem with the occaisonal clinker.

All digits are still intact!

Mike Dudash · Post by **Mike Dudash** » 30 May 2009 7:08 pm

Hate to admit it (since the site was down due to a T1 issue) but I work for a very large telecom company Hint old Ma Bell.

Mike Dudash · Post by **Mike Dudash** » 30 May 2009 7:10 pm

BTW, Bob please don't hold it against me.

Les Green · Post by **Les Green** » 30 May 2009 7:30 pm

Spent 3 years in the Army Air Defense Command, 2 years in a shoe factory, 2 years in a charcoal briquette plant then 39 1/2 years in the printing industry where I was lucky enough to get schooling in several robotics systems. Retired now. Been playing steel from the beginning.

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 30 May 2009 8:14 pm

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I am a 13000 hour professional pilot. I manage a fleet of aircraft for a private businessman in Dallas. I currently fly the Citation CJ3, L39 Albatros, King Air GTI 90/200,Piper Meridian, and soon the new Lancair Evolution Turboprop. I hold ratings for all Single and Multi Engine piston, and 19 turboprop aircraft. I am an instructor pilot for 22 different types of Jet Aircraft and hold 9 type specific ratings, When I grow up I would like to add PSG Instructor ratings to my license!!!!

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 30 May 2009 9:38 pm

I make a living as professional welder and machinist although I had a nice run of about 15 years as a studio musician playing on film scores, where I played on about 70 of them.

As a welder, I've done everything from I-beams to military aircraft. Spent a few decades in the film business, union on the lots and in particular motion-controlled camera systems. Spent years working on commercials where "normal days" are 18hrs (thank you methamphetamine)until my darling confronted me with, "can't have a relationship with an addict, It goes or I go." It went, along with my ability to keep up with the hours.

Now I build art for artists. I like who I work for, I like the work, I have no complaints.

I'm 61, and Laura's father once asked her what my retirement plan was. Death, most likely.

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 30 May 2009 10:01 pm

Wow, saw this thread just this evening. Got so engrossed that I read all 7 pages. Austin you really hit the nail on the head this time.
Kind of embarrasing to put my pittace beside all the accomplishments of my forum co-horts.
Had a bunch of careers in my life just never distinguished myself in any of them. The best opportunities were raising my 3 boys and now doing the same with my first grandboy. I guess next would be my DJ career, (one of the most enjoyable) and my time as a wanna-be 6-string teacher for beginners, also a part-time Fender amp and guitar tech. a roadie and recording engineer for a local big band type orchestra in my home town of Greenville, S.C.
Other than that, I have been mostly a member of the "unseen" labor force. Mostly unglamorouse, but mildly rewarding.
Oh, last but by all means not least, my temporary foree into a nursing home ministry. Not really a career as such (didn't make money doing it, but spent a lot). But altogether, a VERY rewarding and humbling experiance. I can't forget my experience as a motel clerk & manager for Howard Johnson, Travelodge and Golden Eagle !
My hat goes off to all you forum members and your accomplishments from this "Ole' S.E. Georgia redneck !

Chuck Huffman · Post by **Chuck Huffman** » 30 May 2009 10:48 pm

Kind of embarrasing to put my pittace beside all the accomplishments of my forum co-horts.
Had a bunch of careers in my life just never distinguished myself in any of them. The best opportunities were raising my 3 boys and now doing the same with my first grandboy.

John, you have accomplished more than you give yourself credit. Being a father and grandfather alone is great. I say this from my heart, That's what God put us here to do. My four children and on the way grandchild is my best achievement.

Jack Francis · Post by **Jack Francis** » 31 May 2009 5:49 am

Matt...I thought you were just a pretty face!!

I'm an artist doing t-shirt designs for street rod events and for other folks in the hot rod and biker
industries.

I also play lead guitar for the Weezul Brothers Band
and steel for my walls. $:\$

www.jackfrancist-shirts.com

Tom Quinn · Post by **Tom Quinn** » 31 May 2009 6:19 am

My current work is for The Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs in California. We work to get people sober.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 31 May 2009 6:35 am

I printed every one of THESE PRINTS and the works of about a dozen other artists. Not the posters. The serigraphs.

Jack Strayhorn · Post by **Jack Strayhorn** » 31 May 2009 6:42 am

Architectural draftsman.
Steel builder.
Steel company manager.
Bowling center manager.
Family entertainment park manager.
Currently a licensed funeral director, and find it the most gratifying work I've had.

Gary Anderson · Post by **Gary Anderson** » 31 May 2009 6:54 am

20 years 3 months US Air Force
20 years Letter Carrier U S Postal Service
3 years Security Officer Laughin NV Casino
Now full time steel guitar student

Jack Francis · Post by **Jack Francis** » 31 May 2009 8:10 am

Nice work Jon.

I ran Screenprint companies back in the day so I can appreciate your work.
Serigraphs, the process is screenprinting...(no,it's not called silk screening) $:\$

Jack Dougherty · Post by **Jack Dougherty** » 31 May 2009 10:03 am

Retired pilot...Still at it though.
Now just trying to stay alive long enough to enjoy it all.

Play the occasional gig, but mostly a closet picker now.

Bob Knetzger · Post by **Bob Knetzger** » 31 May 2009 4:28 pm

I'm an Industrial Designer by education and a toy inventor/designer by trade...and have played pedal steel for 39 years.

The only other toy designer/steeler I've heard of is Winnie Winston...

Oh wait,... on second thought, Sneaky Pete spent a lot of time working with toys animating all those Gumby shows...

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 31 May 2009 5:23 pm

I ran a front end loader in a gravel pit most of my life. After 30+ years of that I retired at age 56.
Now, at 62, I am trying to build a pedal steel guitar or 2.

My main "hobby" though, are my 3 lovely grand kids.

Cute, huh?

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 31 May 2009 5:38 pm

I'm proud to be a professionsl slacker now. I retired from teaching in August of 2008. Hope to start a part time, antique carpet business in the fall. We lived in Pakistan for five years and still have contacts there. I just old hand-made love carpets as an art form, particularly tribal carpets, from Afghanistan, Iran, and what used to be the southern part of the USSR. steve t

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What do you do for a living?

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