Dad Bands, Grandpa Bands, and more

Apparently age 50 is the golden year to join or form a "dad band". This explains a lot. The proliferation of collectable instruments as a start. Pros are not buying the expensive boutique guitars, pre-amps, snare drums. They are mostly broke. Fifty-year-old lawyers with dad bods and rekindled musical passion are. Online video lessons reach out to the same demographic. As do jazz camps, rock fantasy camps et al. I know, I've been. The "campers" are predominantly male and skew heavily to ages below 25 and over 50. The before and after children crowd. All have exquisite instruments. 

Why do fifty-year-old women not do the same? They know better. Someone said they run marathons. But I digress.  

For a hilarious take on "Dad Bands" and inspiration for this blog post check out this link to "The Debaters Podcast" 

I realise that lately I've been drumming in a lot of "Dad Bands" and "Grandpa bands". Oh boy. People I haven't seen in 30 and 40 years are in these bands. "Hey Dave, where have you been?" My response is always, "super, whom am I talking too?" I remember young men.

I'm reconsidering my next move. My 85-year-old mother tells me I'm not ready for this, I'm still making a living as a professional musician. I should wait until the time is right, she says. Good advice. 

• First step, stave off the “dad bod”
• Second step, hang with my professional and musical peers
• Third step, stay sharp
• Fourth step, seek new opportunities to earn money
• Fifth step, play in challenging situations only

 
David