Posted: 7 Jan 2009 4:40 pm
Hey Johnny:
Like you, I drove the tour bus when I was a full-time steeler for Gene and others. That started in the 70s. I started driving a tractor-trailer when I was a teenager, driving a 40' grain trailer to the elevator in town with my uncle when I worked at his farm in Nebraska in the summer months. That was around 1971.
I left Gene in the late 80s when my mother became terminally ill. I went to work for the railroad as a conductor for 15 mos. and loved it until they were going to relocate me. This didn't work as I needed to be close by for my folks. So I went to work driving charter buses, trucks and school buses. I had my CDL which then was a Class One/Two but became an "A" in 1990 with "P", "N" and "X" endorsements. I took a bunch of courses and got a bunch of certifications. In 1990 I became Transportation Director at a school district. Great pay but VERY stressful with 3000 kids each day as my responsibility. I did this for 14 yrs. then needed a break from the stress and long hours as the department administrator. I went to work at another district as the Head Driver CDL Trainer (a little less stress)and now have just a couple years left to get my state retirement which will include health insurance for both me and my wife. So it all worked out very well, thank God. I'll be 56 or 57 when I "retire" from the state... I hope to go back to music full-time !!
I would suggest looking into a school district as a bus driver for you. Most here in the northeast pay a very good hourly wage and offer a choice of really good health insurance plans. In NY state district drivers and employees are eligible for the state retirement system also and are vested in 5 yrs. Texas may be different. You do have to consider that you'll have to deal with the students on the bus. It's not for everybody !!! Nice thing is... you're home each night. I know many musicians who do this as it works pretty good for getting to play gigs. I do the buses and still play a bunch of gigs for Commander Cody. Let me know how you make out.
BTW- Tony sent me a copy of his CD... you played great on there man.
Good Luck Johnny and keep me posted.
Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" O.
Like you, I drove the tour bus when I was a full-time steeler for Gene and others. That started in the 70s. I started driving a tractor-trailer when I was a teenager, driving a 40' grain trailer to the elevator in town with my uncle when I worked at his farm in Nebraska in the summer months. That was around 1971.
I left Gene in the late 80s when my mother became terminally ill. I went to work for the railroad as a conductor for 15 mos. and loved it until they were going to relocate me. This didn't work as I needed to be close by for my folks. So I went to work driving charter buses, trucks and school buses. I had my CDL which then was a Class One/Two but became an "A" in 1990 with "P", "N" and "X" endorsements. I took a bunch of courses and got a bunch of certifications. In 1990 I became Transportation Director at a school district. Great pay but VERY stressful with 3000 kids each day as my responsibility. I did this for 14 yrs. then needed a break from the stress and long hours as the department administrator. I went to work at another district as the Head Driver CDL Trainer (a little less stress)and now have just a couple years left to get my state retirement which will include health insurance for both me and my wife. So it all worked out very well, thank God. I'll be 56 or 57 when I "retire" from the state... I hope to go back to music full-time !!
I would suggest looking into a school district as a bus driver for you. Most here in the northeast pay a very good hourly wage and offer a choice of really good health insurance plans. In NY state district drivers and employees are eligible for the state retirement system also and are vested in 5 yrs. Texas may be different. You do have to consider that you'll have to deal with the students on the bus. It's not for everybody !!! Nice thing is... you're home each night. I know many musicians who do this as it works pretty good for getting to play gigs. I do the buses and still play a bunch of gigs for Commander Cody. Let me know how you make out.
BTW- Tony sent me a copy of his CD... you played great on there man.
Good Luck Johnny and keep me posted.
Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" O.
Love ya man. God Bless, Whip.
Johnny, I just wanted you to know that it is a true shame that a man of your abilities has to survive doing something un-related. The job that you did building my new guitar was outstanding, as is your playing. Good luck and hopefully things will improve in the near future.