as we get older...

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 20 Jul 2018 1:46 am

I was speaking with a longtime Steel toting friend yesterday. Apparently, as we now are both MUCH older ,in our 6th decade of life, we have become much wiser players, perhaps even better and more skilled than years ago. Problem now is our hands can't play what we want them to play ! Thank God Dance Halls like slow songs !

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 20 Jul 2018 2:40 am

And we don't need all the stuff we have sitting around. At 80 I've finally started selling off stuff that I really don't need. I've still got a large "accumulation" that needs to go.

Being in Florida, my weekly gig is for retirees the same age.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 20 Jul 2018 7:38 am

I like playing for nursing homes.
They wheel the residents in, lock the wheels and you have a "captive" audience!

Erv

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 20 Jul 2018 9:23 am

This, for me, is a somewhat apropos topic. At 69 1/2 years old, I can't play with all the dexterity and speed, that, I had years ago. And, that bothers me to a point. But, what bothers me more is not being as agile as I was when it comes to moving equipment. I haven't had the luxury of having roadies for a long time. So, it's up to me to help move everything we have, plus my stuff. The whole band does help, but, what a pain it's getting to be. My back has been a problem, my right shoulder is acting up and my knees hurt. It's starting to affect my concentration with my playing. It's not fun playing when your body is hurting. Sometimes I wish I had taken up the flute or the piccolo.
However, I love to play and I guess that's why I put up with all the drawbacks. And, I certainly know, that, I'm very lucky to still be playing out and still getting a kick out of it.
I'm not ready to quit just yet. I'm just doing some venting about my love/ hate relationship with my passion.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 20 Jul 2018 11:19 am

I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was.

Paul Norman (RIP) · Post by **Paul Norman (RIP)** » 22 Jul 2018 12:56 pm

Erv. That's kidnapping. You get those old people so they cant get away and they have to listen to you.

No I am kidding. I think it is great to play at nursing homes. They don't get to go to other concerts and they are appreciative. The satisfaction you get by helping them is better than money.

Larry Carlson · Post by **Larry Carlson** » 22 Jul 2018 2:11 pm

Erv Niehaus wrote:I like playing for nursing homes.
They wheel the residents in, lock the wheels and you have a "captive" audience!
Erv

I play for family gatherings, Christmas, birthdays etc.
So except for the wheelchairs it's basically the same thing....

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 22 Jul 2018 2:28 pm

I'm working on a Half-Speed Hits album

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 22 Jul 2018 3:11 pm

Jeff - let's you and I play 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' and each of us play alternate notes.

Still too fast? Okay - we need volunteers so we can each play one note in four.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 22 Jul 2018 3:38 pm

Genius, Roger! We'll bill it as a twin steel album.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 23 Jul 2018 5:24 am

Jack Stoner wrote:And we don't need all the stuff we have sitting around. At 80 I've finally started selling off stuff that I really don't need. I've still got a large "accumulation" that needs to go.

My old man used to tell me..."Son, you don't own your possessions, you're owned by your possessions. Everything you own is just one more thing you have to worry about keeping or fixing. And eventually, all that stuff you care so much about will be sold, given away, or just trashed."

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 23 Jul 2018 11:46 am

Good one Donny....A pod XT and single 10 still does it for me, but oh i remember those days of a NV400 and a D10 up flights of stairs, i'm eco friendly that's for sure, the old back still has a twinge now and then Tony, i seem to be nursing the plantar fascitis more these days, it's one thing or the other it seems! lol

Kevin Fix · Post by **Kevin Fix** » 23 Jul 2018 5:39 pm

65 here. My right hand is not what it used to be. I can still play up tempo songs, but their is a point where I have to be careful because the mind and the fingers can't keep up.

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 24 Jul 2018 4:35 am

Paul Norman wrote:Erv. That's kidnapping. You get those old people so they cant get away and they have to listen to you.

Johnny Cash was big on playing for captive audiences, too!

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 24 Jul 2018 4:41 am

John De Maille wrote:... what a pain it's getting to be. My back has been a problem, my right shoulder is acting up and my knees hurt....

Floyd Lowery · Post by **Floyd Lowery** » 24 Jul 2018 6:28 am

My guitar sat in a back room, covered up and untouched for at least the last 4 years. I decided yesterday to move it into the room with my computer. I had forgot how much that little Nashville 400 weighed. My back is sore. My end fine tuners are difficult to turn. Even after oiling. I guess I'll have to change these strings. They won't stay in tune. Geeze, It really does not pay to completely ignore your guitar. Maybe I'll get it back in playing condition, if I can remember what to do to it.

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 24 Jul 2018 10:52 am

Don R Brown wrote:
John De Maille wrote:... what a pain it's getting to be. My back has been a problem, my right shoulder is acting up and my knees hurt....

Ha! Ha!
What! Have you been hiding out in my house somewhere?

Dale Foreman · Post by **Dale Foreman** » 24 Jul 2018 11:55 am

I'm 64 and still playing quite a bit in the honky tonks and the studio. The guys I play with are all much younger and I don't haul anything but my equipment so I'm fortunate. I do notice my right hand is slowing down some but as long as I can move, I will play

,

Don R Brown · Post by **Don R Brown** » 24 Jul 2018 12:35 pm

John De Maille wrote: Ha! Ha!
What! Have you been hiding out in my house somewhere?

Each morning when I wake up, I turn to my wife and ask "Is it nap time yet?"

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 24 Jul 2018 1:19 pm

"Do you wake up grouchy?"
No, I let her sleep!

Larry Carlson · Post by **Larry Carlson** » 24 Jul 2018 2:01 pm

Bobby D. Jones · Post by **Bobby D. Jones** » 24 Jul 2018 7:20 pm

I will be 75 before the snow flies again. I just make a joke out of getting old. (Many things you have to laugh or cry about and I would rather laugh.) I say, If I knew I was going to live so long, I would not have picked fights with Thunder Storms and run into so many trees working out in the woods at night chasing outlaws. Ha Ha.
As long as I take my Osteo-Bio-Flex every day my elbow shoulder and knee do pretty good.
I have found that to keep my right hand working as good as it does. When I go somewhere to play. I do not run Lawn Mowers, Weed Eaters or Chain Saw that day. (I seem to lose fine motor moves with my hands from the vibration.) And carry heavy things like my seat, guitar in case or amp. in my left hand going and setting up. Use my right hand after through playing.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 24 Jul 2018 8:36 pm

I haven't got to the point that I carry a fan to the gig in case I break wind or smell like pee but everything small is packed in old used med bottles.
The only steel I will ever lug to a gig is my Stage One and no matter the choice of seat a pillow will be on it. Oh and the breaks will be whenever my prostate dictates!

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 25 Jul 2018 4:44 am

What works, hurts, and what doesn't hurt, doesn't work.
I don't have a problem with growing old but my body is having a rough time dea!ing with it.

I had to have major, double hernia surgery on my right groin area because of steel guitar. I have a small hernia on my left side, bad left knee, bad back, and arthritis in my left index finger. I have had to split the weight up I carry, so now I have 7 pieces to unload, counting my amp stand. Everything fits perfectly on a rock and roll cart, so it is one trip.
I'm 73 and play in two bands. I just won't give up until I have absolutely no choice.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 25 Jul 2018 7:15 am

So far, I think I've got all you old geezers beat.
I'm just a few months from turning 80.
And praise the Lord, I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in!

Erv

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