HALFWAY DONE

So I played a gig this past Friday with the cover band CRASH. Yeah it was cool, perfect weather, outdoor gig, played for only 90 minutes as opposed to doing three sets over the course of a few hours. Not complaining at all, if anything I am grateful for any opportunities that swing my way. We’re halfway done with 2025, and for me personally, I am ready for the second half of the year.

But the first half…yikes!

I have no problem being open with people. And it’s not to sound like I’m fishing or looking for sympathy. If anything, I want someone else to think “Hey I feel like that too, and I’m not alone.” This past winter was brutal on my mental health. The year started off fine with a Supernova gig on January 3rd. I honestly thought “Okay great! I’ll get more shows with them and other bands, right?”

Right?

R-r-r-i-i-ight?

Someone shut the faucet off though. I had NOTHING happening. Spent $1200 to get my car fixed and it’s been murder trying to recoup my losses. Private lessons slowed way down to a crawl. The gigs weren’t coming as I hoped. But again, I’m not alone here. Other musicians have said the same things, that student interest dried up, as well as gigs. Clubs and bars won’t pay what we’re worth; if anything they still pay like it’s 1975 when $100 was “a lot of money”. I raised my private rates $10, from $50 to $60. I was $50/hr for 25 years. And of course, some people quibbled over $10. Yet can go on lavish trips and get their nails done.

Priorities?

On my oldest son’s birthday back this past May 20, I received two Facebook messages from three different bass players. Tom from Blame It On The Girl asked me to fill in for two gigs (one was cancelled due to rain) and then Tony from Supernova said he had two gigs for me coming up soon. Another bassist Bob asked me two weeks ago to help out Crash, which happened this past Friday. (I think bass players have their own secret society…hmmm…)

I thought I was ready to start work on a new album but nope. Just not feeling it. But the new demos are good, to my ears at least. Other musicians might balk and say “I don’t get it” or “This is too weird.” If I wrote bland shit, I’d have more friends. No thanks.

So I am hoping the rest of 2025 treats me a bit kinder.

Pretty please?