Pros...what would you do different?

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I'd like to pose what I think might be an interesting question to all the "Pros" (full-time musicians) who visit us here on the Forum.

If you had it to do all over again (knowing what you know now), is there anything different you would have done (or, not done) during your musical careers?

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

Nope.

Kenny Dail · From: Kinston, N.C. R.I.P.

Donny, I am no pro but if I may, here are my 2 cents. In my younger years and early involement as a steeler, I would have done anything in my power to go to Nashville and play with the Stars and appear on the GOO. I never had the REAL window of opportunity to make it happen. In retrospect, I was forced to work 5 and sometimes 6 days a week and at night work upt to 5 and sometimes 6 nights in the local music market such as the "Moose Lodge Circuit" and the "Bar Circuit" and sometimes a studion session in the local "Garage Studios". I am now very grateful that I was "forced" to stay at home because not only did I become a "Big Fish in the little Pond" but I was able to have a functional family life and make more money than I would have being a "Little Fish in a big pond." I am now retired and enjoying the benefits such as, bad health (emphysema), retirement, old age, Social Security and still, at my own discretion, playing my steel. The "play for money" market has dwindled to nothing in my area so, I play mostly for my own amazement. I am still sleeping in a warm bed, eating hot home prepared meals, utilizing my medical benefits and watching this crazy world go by...

If I were younger and with no responsibilities, you can bet your @$$ I would be trying to find a way to get connected to the music scene in Nashburg.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Rick Schmidt · From: Prescott AZ, USA

I'd try to follow my heart a little more. I'd turn down alot more of the "empty calories for cash" type gigs. I'd eliminate everything that was a waste of time....emotionally draining "Black Hole" type wanna-be artists who thrive on pushing buttons and manipulative tactics in order to keep themselves surrounded with their own little support teams that included me. The drugs and alchohol question is totally a no brainer. I would've gone out and done the research and gotten the proper tools early on, rather than wasting time unable to get the needed correct sound at critical career defining moments.

But then again, I guess I'm actually pretty happy with the way things did ultimately turn out for me after all. Nothing that winning the lottery couldnt fix. Now let's all sing a rousing rendition of "MY WAY" ok?

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Donny very interesting question..and I'm gonna chime in with a slightly different slant..even though you didn't ask..

I had several opportunities to go "PRO" ( full time)as you state..and each time I turned it down because I did not have the family support (previous wife and other family members) even though I had been a part time musician from the time I could actually hold a guitar, keep in mind I didn't say "Tune" a guitar..

My regret today..although I have a fine life..is that I did not become a full time musician and tour when invited on several occassions by several Nashville B acts. I should have also just moved to NYC and told everyone to go fry ice..Not only did I not play music professionally but I also gave up the career that I was actually seeking which was Live TV Production and Professional Recording Engineering. At the time all my Ducks were lined up but I allowed others to sway my decision.

Although like many here, I like the "Things" I have acquired thru the years but still as I look back would have preferred to sit behind and play the "Things" I really love and participate in an industry to my liking, regardless of the amount of pay.

I suspect we will not hear from any PRO'S stating they would do it differently. Once it's in the blood it doesn't stop flowing until you know when...

Thank God for the Pro's that stuck it out and endured...

t

Allan Thompson · From: Scotland.

Either cut down or cut out the amount of alcohol consumed.

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

I'm not a Pro, but I'd protect my hearing better.

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

I worked around the LA area full time for over 20 years mostly around Orange County and Long Beach. I think if I had to do it over I'd have based myself around north Hollywood and that area a little more as there was a lot more happening there especially in the country rock movement. Orange county was mostly clubs and an occasional Disneyland or Knott's Berry Farm gig but nothing major happened there as the big studios etc. were on the north side of town. I didn't then and if I were young today don't have any desire to be in Nashville as I always thought California was way ahead of the pack. It might have been nice to try Austin for a while like Herb Steiner did but who knows....Have a great day...JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

John Lacey · From: Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

No regrets. Would still like to tour certain areas of the States (southwest) that I missed during my career. Would've liked to have based out of Nashville at some point to have learned more from the tremondous collection of players there. That's about it for a Canuck.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

When I started, 1950, there was only one goal and that was to move to Nashville and be on the Grand Ole Opry, to have a regular full-time gig with one of the BIG NAME STARS, Faron Young, Red Foley or whomever.
But after seeing first-hand, some of the alcoholic "stars" that wondered thro' this region over the years....I started rethinking my priorities. The sparkle and the dreams were still there but shortly after a friend asked: "How would you like to have been Porter Wagoners' steel man for twenty years and essentially played the same
two dozen songs over and over all thro' those years?".........reality sorta rose up and slapped me in the face.
I do regret that I didn't take Leon Rhodes invite and litterally shove me way onto Ray
Prices bus, way back then, but reality again slaps me in the face, and most likely when I once got to Nashville, I'd have been dropped for B.Emmons or anyone of dozens of REALLY GREAT Steel players.
As it is, I've enjoyed a stable life style (well, sorta?); I have my health; my Rickenbachers; my Bigsby; etc.... and have acquired numerous other "dreams come true" items that I'd likely never have been able to afford had I been totally reliant on a musician's income.
So, in my dreams, I'm still a legend in my own mind. That will have to suffice. That is reality.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Yes, I'd have done it differently.

I'd have left the UK in my twenties instead of my fifties like I did in '98, and come to where the music is (or was?) In 1998, at 55 years of age, I didn't have the mental energy to deal with the Nashville 'bear garden', or the inclination (after almost 40 years as a pro player in London) to start again on Lower Broadway for a share of a tip-jar.

I'd have done it at 25, though, and happily - who knows what might have become of me, but I'd have given it a shot, at least.

Still, I'm not complaining - I only made $28,000 last year from about 300 shows, but it's a living of sorts. I steer clear of buying a new car, and it's a good job Susie works too, but, apart from some anxiety about old age, health (and the appalling state of the US health-'care' industry), things could be worse - there's a new JCH D10 in my future, and I play golf most days...

Dinner's ready - gotta go!

RR

Savell · From: Slocomb, AL

.

[This message was edited by Savell on 31 May 2005 at 01:13 PM.]

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

It really doesn't apply to me.

I've made more money playing than other musicians I know that have done and do do it "for a living". The ones I know here that are still in the 10k/a year, no SS fund, staying at a friends' house "profession" wish they hadn't depended on so many flaky people.

I learned that early on, and have a house, a car, and the nicest bike in my part of town.

I wouldn't do anything any differently.

Can't say I even would have quit drinking any sooner than 24 years ago. It gave me a lot to reflect on.

When asked that question. Bob Kneivel said "I'd have gone faster on a few of the jumps."

Like Ceasar's Palace, I imagine..

EJL

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Í guess I could be called a pro because I don't have any other source of income besides steel playing. The problem that I am bumping into is how to balance my own personal musical voice with playing what people pay me to play. Trying to keep up with all the different gigs and styles of music in order to keep busy enough to make a living doesn't leave much time for indulging in new forms of musical expression.

Bob

BTW: I'm in Beunos Aires just in from Calafate, Patagonia at the moment at some internet cafe place.

Franklin · Posted 24 Jan 2004 8:34 am

I would have gone to Berkley or North Texas state to study Jazz. I would have taken up the piano and I would have studied privately from a saxophone teacher around the school on a weekly basis. I would have composed more.....Paul

[This message was edited by Franklin on 24 January 2004 at 08:37 AM.]

frank rogers · From: usa

I defintely would have went for more education. I would have stayed in the band program throughout school rather then taking the "easy" route of playing in high school rock groups. I should have studied jazz guitar with a qualified instuctor, I should have appreciated guys like Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, and Jimmy Smith at a much earlier age. I'm still considering the Jazz studies program at our local university but, it would have been much better to have pursued that 30+ years ago.

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

It's not too late to do any of those things.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

....except for me to come to the USA at 25!

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

(Franklin)...I would have gone to Berkley or North Texas state to study Jazz....

One of my good friends, Saxophonist Howard Walker, did the North Texas scene. He has toured as a professional musician, been a high-school music teacher, has done Radio announcing, and currently is sporting a long beard and hair in a Branson religious theater production.

He is happy, but I would guess that his accomplishments have not been as financially rewarding as yours!

www.genejones.com

Franklin · Posted 25 Jan 2004 7:54 am

Gene,

I could never take time away from my career to attend a music school today. The rest I can do when I get time. I have no regrets and am thankful to God for his blessings...I guess I was trying to say that back when I was young and starving for work,looking back it makes better sense to be young and starving, learning jazz at one of those schools. I would gain nothing today by walking away from my career. I have had to teach myself over many years what I could have learned in a few years. Going to school could have possibly shortened the process but then again, it might not.

Paul

[This message was edited by Franklin on 25 January 2004 at 08:49 PM.]

Wayne Morgan · From: Rutledge, TN, USA

Mr Franklin,,what you have, they do not teach in school, they might teach theory,,but it would be heard to find a teacher for you.

Best Regards
Wayne

Franklin · Posted 25 Jan 2004 8:44 pm

Wayne, There is so much for me to learn. Viewing music as the universe. I am just learning my way around a small planet. Compared to some jazz players explorations, I am just a beginner.

It's this fact that I love the most about music as a career, No matter what I play or what I have accomplished there is always an infinite number of things I can't play or will never accomplish....Paul

Corky Owens · From: Owensboro, KY USA

I love my gig with Gene Watson, but I would have worked harder at playing like T.W. or Paul F. I love steel and think these guy's keep me wanting more. Corky.

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

One more thing I should have done is concentrate more on vocals. I gave up singing in the 60's cause I thought it was more fun to pick multiple instruments. When I first started out no one seemed to ask lead players of steel players if they sang and I did a little but never volunteered. Nowadays it seems that everyone is a vocalist/instrumentalist and that's a good thing I guess, I just wish I'd worked more on that as later on I missed out on a couple of good gigs because I wasn't into vocals.

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Reggie Duncan · From: Mississippi

I am not a full time steel player, but I do have a recording studio and a weekend steel gig.
I would have started earlier. I didn't have a guitar until I was 15, and that was a bass. I played Dad's steel up until the age of 16.
If I had spent all of my time on steel, I wouldn't be able to play all of the instruments needed to operate my recording business, piano, bass, lead, percussion etc..
So, I guess I made the right choice on that.

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