Age Discrimination

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 29 Sep 2006 7:48 pm

If your talking shallow then those folks are the ones who hold your age against you for their own petty image worship reasons.

If your talking music then those folks see with their ears.

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 29 Sep 2006 7:55 pm

A clarification: when I said the band I'm with now is "all family" I meant they're a family band, they're all related. I didn't mean they were my family, which is kindof how I made it sound. Sorry to be unclear about that.

I'm over 20 years older than the next-oldest in the band, I'm the only one who's not related to their family, and the only "Gringo", and we get along fine.

Yet there still are those who will not hire me because of my age. Their loss.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 29 September 2006 at 09:00 PM.]

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 29 Sep 2006 8:12 pm

When one gets old and groggy does your vibrato automatically get better?

Marc Mercer · Post by **Marc Mercer** » 29 Sep 2006 8:27 pm

A prospective band found out my age, then asked if I had any "medical problems." I thought a bit, then answered "Well, I suffer a bit from incontinence."

"Oh, wow," said one guy, "that could be a disaster on stage! Is there anything you can do to prevent it?"

"Depends," I replied.

Klaus Caprani · Post by **Klaus Caprani** » 29 Sep 2006 9:48 pm

Sounds just like a mediocre hobby-band consisting of younger superficial yuppies.
Hardly worth to join anyway.

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Klaus Caprani

MCI RangeXpander S-10 3x4
www.klauscaprani.com

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 30 Sep 2006 1:16 am

I had just moved to Phoenix and put on my tayler topper wig and went to a jam session to get connected. I always wore my wig playing out. It helps to make you look younger.

AGGGGGHHHHHHHH. No - the point of trying to look younger than you are is defeating the object. People have to accept you for what you are. OK, there is an image culture in the entertainment industry where a front line artist should ideally be good to look at as well as listen to, but I don't think the back up musicians should have great young looks as a prerequisite. Teenybopper bands exluded.

Looking at the bigger picture, in jazz and blues the older singer/player is widely accepted on merit and revered. In pop rock the performer is younger and therefore the audience is also likely to be younger. Country music has a wide spectrum of ages for performers and audience.

My original point was that 50 seems to be a landmark age for some. Regarding the band that my friend enquired about, it will be interesting if the band members who are in their early 40's retire on their 50th birthday. I bet not. He wasn't upset by their response to his enquiry, just extremely amused.

I play with 3 different bands, and there is a wide age band in one. However, the spirit of humour and closeness is the same in all three. Each musician is judged for their ability not for their age or looks.

Jim Sentlinger · Post by **Jim Sentlinger** » 30 Sep 2006 2:02 am

I'm 65 and still got time left. I still play and do so every monday evening with people that don't care about age, just sound

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 30 Sep 2006 3:39 am

The average age in our country band is about 38, but our lead guitarist is 59. He is without a doubt the hippest, coolest, best musician in the band. When we play venues with a younger audience, guess where the girls are dancing? Right in front of him. Not only does he have a great stage presence, he brings 40 years experience to the band's personal dynamics. There's very little nit picking or petty arguments going on when he's present. We all have a deep respect for his musicianship, and we're all on our best behaviour when he's around. We went to St. Louis together this year for the convention. He's a great dobro player as well. I consider him a very good friend, and he's 25 years older than me.

Friend and fellow forumite Don Cuff (who was also in St. Louis with us) fills in for me on steel in this band when I can't make it. He's in his mid-50's as well. It's never been an issue for the band. As long as you're willing to wear a hat and western shirt, you can be 80 or 90 - who cares.

[This message was edited by Chris LeDrew on 30 September 2006 at 04:40 AM.]

David Collins · Post by **David Collins** » 30 Sep 2006 4:22 am

Let's see now? As long as the STONES are still selling out huge venues, how can ANYONE be to old to play rock?

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David Collins
www.alpinesoap.com

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 30 Sep 2006 6:01 am

Twenty-three yrs. ago,(1983) I had heard that Jeannie "Satin Sheets" Pruitt was looking for a steeler. I had contacted her band leader,(who,I think,was her son) & was giving him my "verbal resume" if you will. He asked me who I worked with,etc.etc.

Then,he,"casually" asked,"By the way,how old are you?" I,"casually" said,"I'm 45."
THEN,he said,"Oh,Jeannie's NOT HIRING ANYONE OVER 30 ANYMORE!"

Now,I was born,Feb. 10,1938. Jeannie was born Jan. 30,1937. You do the math.

This "One-Hit Wonder" was just gonna make herself look like a prune,with a bunch of "kids" on the stage.

This is why I have the utmost respect for Vince Gill. He went & hired John Hughey,knowing all well that John was almost 70 yrs old. He knew,all along,that John could "cut it"! Of course,John went above & beyond the call of duty,when he went & recorded the CLASSIC break on "Look At Us. End of rant!

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.</pre>

[This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 30 September 2006 at 07:06 AM.]

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 30 Sep 2006 6:16 am

Smiley - On your profile your occupation is listed as "entertainer". After all these years, you're still entertaining. Is Jeannie entertaining, or just traveling around singing her one hit song?

A. Roncetti · Post by **A. Roncetti** » 30 Sep 2006 6:31 am

A lot of players look down their noses at me cos I'm under the age of 30 and female

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Purple Fessenden SD-10 4X5

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 30 Sep 2006 7:02 am

I joke most of the time about everything.For once to put it how it really is with me, a lot of us older guys don't care to play with young musicians because we don't fit in.With our many years of experience we do get bored at times and put more than one chord in an instrumental.(Here i go again)lol.The younger ones usually say we play a variety and are afraid us old timers can't cut it.
And they really would have no idea what variety is unless they could sit in with a band that played everything from blue grass to modern pop jazz and the big band chords.
And the other side of the coin is,i really can't play some of this new stuff cold as it has no melody.Sure old songs like Tenderley,Misty,Little Rock Get Away,etc have many chords.But they dont't all sound the same so they are easy to learn and remember.
After i retired i worked with a band one night and they did one singers song after another.I would get in the middle of my ride and couldn't remember what i was doing because the songs all sounded so much alike.Only different chord change now and then.
So wonder how many other old timers have gone through this?LOL. [This message was edited by Tracy Sheehan on 30 September 2006 at 08:06 AM.] Now if i could only type with out making so many @%$^# mistakes.[This message was edited by Tracy Sheehan on 30 September 2006 at 08:11 AM.]

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 30 Sep 2006 8:06 am

It looks like all you old guys are a lot younger than me! I play every Sunday at a legion club thats always full, been there 3 yrs & pushin for another 3, I still carry in my D-10, Amp, & seat, Oh by the way! I'll be 77 in January! God is Good! Al Udeen

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 30 Sep 2006 8:26 am

I celebrated my 70th birthday on stage with a country music show sponsored by Oklahoma State University. I'm guessing that the average age of the cast of singers and dancers would be about 19 or 20...which means that their average age was less than a third of my age.

I never received any "age discrimination" vibes from any of them, and when we closed the show they gave me some precious monentos that are some of my prized possesions.

I did quit playing after that season closed....but it was my decision, not because of age discrimination.

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<img height=100 width=70 src=http://genejones.bizland.com/Scan10095.jpg>
www.genejones.com

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 30 Sep 2006 8:42 am

The way I read into some of these posts, some of the older players discriminate against the younger players. It is as if the older players have so much experience and knowledge that there isn't any comparison between the two. I think the saying for a "genuine antique person--been there, done that, can't remember". It's true that some of the older songs come back. The songs I learned when I was younger WERE easier to learn than some of the newer songs but that's no fault of the younger musicians--it's because I'm so much older. I am learning a lot from band members who are much younger than me. No one should discriminate against anyone. Everyone should be given a fair chance.
*A. RONCETTI--You shouldn't feel that way. Keep up the good work!!!
**I have to take my nap as I play until 2AM--I need to be well rested for my 30 year old Groupies who come to hear me play but don't worry--my wife comes along with me. Joe www.willowcreekband.com [This message was edited by Joe Miraglia on 30 September 2006 at 09:43 AM.]

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 30 Sep 2006 8:44 am

I guess I'm lucky,our drummer is the same age as one of my grandsons, the rest of the band is pretty close to that age. They treat me better then any group I've ever worked with. Hey Smiley, you're one day older then me.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 30 Sep 2006 8:52 am

Reading this thread, it dawned on me that (at 52)I'm the oldest in most of the bands I play with. Quite a few of the bands are barely out of their teens, and most of them are very hip, thoughtful guys. If there have been any age-discriminatory events, I haven't been aware of them. About the only time I'm reminded of age differences is when some of them make a point to help cart my stuff up stairs.
You're as young as you feel, for sure.
And then, my wife is 21 years younger than I am, so maybe that helps keep me tuned in.

Shane Reilly · Post by **Shane Reilly** » 30 Sep 2006 8:56 am

I'm still a young guy and I jump at the chance to play with more experienced players.Music is about Life,the more you've lived the more you have to say.Anyone who disagrees should grow up,shut up,listen and learn.....or miss out.

Pete Young · Post by **Pete Young** » 30 Sep 2006 10:04 am

Well I never had that trouble. One band I played with for 13 years and we took the band leader's kid and put him on lead guitar. He was 11 at that time. I will say I was hard on him ,sometimes too hard but we always got along great. He is working out of nashville now with a new county band and has played with some great players Also a nicer guy you could not want to meet. We are still the best of friends and I admire him very much. He is one hot picker

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 30 Sep 2006 10:13 am

I can see there being "lifestyle issues" - if they're planning to tour, if they stay up all night drinking etc., they might feel that "gramps" will weigh them down. Late 30's? I hope they've grown up enough to care about the music first, guess not.

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 30 Sep 2006 10:50 am

I turned 60 last March and I am the oldest in our band,but not by much. Our lead guitarist is 25 and we tease him about bringing our average age down. I started playing gigs when I was 14 but I can't say I ever ran into an age problem with any band. I have learned from and enjoyed many players much younger and some older than me and it has never been a problem. I wish Nashville would get back to recording singers on how they sound rather than how they look.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 30 Sep 2006 12:25 pm

...On your profile your occupation is listed as "entertainer". After all these years, you're still entertaining. Is Jeannie entertaining, or just traveling around singing her one hit song?

Lee,
When I was traveling w/ Tommy Overstreet,I played steel,I did some singin',& I was his "second banana" (comic relief),so I would classify myself as "entertainer" as opposed to just "musician".
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As far as Jeannie still "entertaining",I haven't heard her on the Opry in quite some time. Maybe,she's "entertaining" some other kind of "hobby" now.

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.</pre>

[This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 30 September 2006 at 01:38 PM.]

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 30 Sep 2006 1:45 pm

I've been on both sides of this... I started playing in working bands after school when I was 15 and went on the road with bands full-time when I was 19.

I remember very well always being the youngest in the band and sometimes they thought it was great that a kid was serious about music, and other times I have been treated like a "dumb kid".

Now I'm the oldest in the band but like I said earlier, the band I'm with now treats me great. Other bands wouldn't hire me for being too old.

People are different.

For me the bottom line is discrimination of any kind whether it's against age - young or old - or sex discrimination, it's wrong and narrowminded.

I have seen some kids play circles around some of us "been playing 30 years" guys... and I've seen some supposed "hot-shot" kids get blown away by some of us "old guys", and re. A Roncetti's post, women can do anything men can do, some guys better get used to it.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 30 Sep 2006 2:18 pm

Ms. Roncetti said:

A lot of players look down their noses at me cos I'm under the age of 30 and female.

I love subtle humor!