At what age did you first play professional(for money)
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At what age did you first play professional(for money)
At what age did you first play for money. I was 18 in 1948. Jody.
- Fred Justice
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Jody we were share croppers and the land lords would give me a nickle or sometimes a dime to play the Old Rugged Cross on the piano with one finger at the tender age of 5 years old. Does that count as getting paid?
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Phone: 480-235-8797
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First "paid" job was at a W. F. W. I was 16 but looked older. On this gig I was playing bass and we got paid $3 plus a bottle of Old Spice Shaving Lotion........how is that for "big time".
After thought: That was 1953.
After thought: That was 1953.
Last edited by Roual Ranes on 1 Nov 2009 8:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Les Anderson
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If this does not mean a steel guitar, I won a weekly radio show talent contest when I was sixteen. I played a 280 chromatic harmonica to play the Clarinet Polka for the starter, then Beer Barrel Polka then The Twelfth Street Rag for the winning number. The prize was $20.00.
After that, I started playing at a number of local country (real out in the country) dances when I was seventeen.
After that, I started playing at a number of local country (real out in the country) dances when I was seventeen.
- Bo Borland
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- Ray Montee
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At one time I was younger.............................
I was age 15........my first adult band. I earned $78.00 playing 3 days outside the Mollala, OR., Buckaroo Rodeo and Jerry's Tavern. Jim Clinton was the band leader.......who is 93 this month.
- Ned McIntosh
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1977, playing my Marlen D10 in a little C&W band called "Smokey And The bandits". We played pubs, clubs and occasional functions. Got $50/night in those days. It paid my rent for several months when times were very, very lean for me.
Easiest money I ever made!
Easiest money I ever made!
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.
- Ernest Cawby
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hi
It was 1946 I was 16 Played in Crenshaw co. Al. at Bodifords swimming pool club,Ramer string Band with Roy Stevens and his dads band, and other local groups. Woody Ledford you always said you wish you could have played with me when I was younger, you should have been there.
ernie
ernie
- Tony Prior
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I think I was 15, our 3 piece band got paid $15 to play a party. Word got around school that we had a band, two guitars and a drummer. We know a whole lot of Ventures songs and that's what we played. It was quite the experience for sure, kids dancing, girls..did I mention girls ?
From that first little job the PLAYBOYS professional career was launched, from there it was the Woman's Club, the YMCA dances, then school dances , all that good stuff, we played everywhere..well everywhere within 20 minutes of home...
I spent my $5 a new set of Gretsch strings that came in a round plastic case , I think they also has some kind of fuzzy stuff on the ball end. After earning money for new strings, that was it...I was hooked, this band thing was gonna work out just fine !
From that first little job the PLAYBOYS professional career was launched, from there it was the Woman's Club, the YMCA dances, then school dances , all that good stuff, we played everywhere..well everywhere within 20 minutes of home...
I spent my $5 a new set of Gretsch strings that came in a round plastic case , I think they also has some kind of fuzzy stuff on the ball end. After earning money for new strings, that was it...I was hooked, this band thing was gonna work out just fine !
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders
Pro Tools 8 and Pro Tools 12
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 8 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
Pro Tools 8 and Pro Tools 12
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 8 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
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Getting started
I started playing every saturday night at a country dance hall named "Whoop and Holler"in 1948. Boy I saw some stuff there. I had to join the Musicians Union in 1949 when I started playing at the Lane Co. Barn Dance.
That job Lasted 5 years. Those were good times. Doc...
That job Lasted 5 years. Those were good times. Doc...
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I was 22 and just laying around the house one night and an old friend called and asked if I wanted to make some money playing bass.
I said I don't play bass and he said you play guitar don't you and I said yep and he said well there's two less strings to worry about and I said you got a point there.
That lead to steel and I'm glad it did cuz it's been a lot of fun for a long time now.
I said I don't play bass and he said you play guitar don't you and I said yep and he said well there's two less strings to worry about and I said you got a point there.
That lead to steel and I'm glad it did cuz it's been a lot of fun for a long time now.
Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.
- Jack Stoner
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- Roger Edgington
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I started playing jobs on electric bass around Columbus ,O. in 1959 or 1960 at age 14. I learned real fast that Hamilton was on a $10 bill. I started on steel at 9 or 10 but didn't play any pay jobs until I got my first pedal steel,a Fender 400,at 16. I have been playing ever since then,mostly weekends and sometimes more. I tried guitar for a while,but never got very good.
- John McConnell
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- Cal Sharp
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I played for free (piano recitals ) until I was about 14 and then started getting money and drinks playing guitar in a R&R band.
C#
Me: Steel Guitar Madness
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Me: Steel Guitar Madness
Latest ebook: Steel Guitar Insanity
Custom Made Covers for Steel Guitars & Amps at Sharp Covers Nashville
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First full time job earning $ playing guitar was when I was 17 -- the band was Rick and the Keens and Sam Gibbs out of Wichita Falls TX was our agent. When I started with the band we had a schedule of every Friday and Saturday night for 6 full months before we had an open date. What a great learning experience..
Mike
Mike
- Roger Rettig
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Christmas, 1957, and I'd assembled a skiffle group from my fellow Scouts in the 10th Muswell Hill Troop.
I was 14.
We rehearsed and rehearsed, yet still we never quite nailed that 'Lonnie Donegan sound'! We made five pounds (Sterling) which we were required/expected to donate to charity.
I was a bundle or nerves, but I loved every moment!
(Sometimes it feels as though it's been downhill ever since!!!)
I was 14.
We rehearsed and rehearsed, yet still we never quite nailed that 'Lonnie Donegan sound'! We made five pounds (Sterling) which we were required/expected to donate to charity.
I was a bundle or nerves, but I loved every moment!
(Sometimes it feels as though it's been downhill ever since!!!)
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10
(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
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(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
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- George Brown
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At about age 25, I played my first gig on lead guitar, at a place called Smokey Valley, which was reputed to be about the roughest joint in the area. I played there for a month or so, and there was never any trouble during that time. Then moved on to some higher class Bars (HA).
Tony P. I remember those Gretsch strings with the fuzzy ends well. In fact, a week or so ago, I was looking through some stuff, and found one of the round plastic cases, with a couple of strings in it.
George...
Tony P. I remember those Gretsch strings with the fuzzy ends well. In fact, a week or so ago, I was looking through some stuff, and found one of the round plastic cases, with a couple of strings in it.
George...
Last edited by George Brown on 2 Nov 2009 2:07 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- John De Maille
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I was 16 and got paid to play a party with my band in 1965. The band did great and we started playing in bars and restaurants. I used another guys draftcard, that, fit me to a tee, so there was never a hassle. And, it was all downhill from there. I was hooked like a fish. All the lights and women and fame and money. Oh! OK, it's time to wake up now and take my meds.
- Lee Baucum
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- John Billings
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