It really shocks me...

[Jack In The Green]

...when a guy with whom I went to elementary school suddenly shows up with something like THAT (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=151884688&MyToken=60f07072-3b69-4ec7-823d-f8186adc1ffe).

I knew that he's got a band, and for a long time there was nothing on their myspace-site. And suddenly they put some professional songs on the site and say that they've just produced their first Demo-CD in a studio.

That makes me think about a lot of things. And the point is: Music is my personal fun. I don't care practicing all day to get really good and neither do I care to write my own songs. I will never be (and I think I never want to be) a professional musician.

The greatest thing for me is to play along with my favorite tunes and try to get some of the feeling that's in them.

I haven't yet found the direction I want to go in life, so it's an important point for me to say: I'm sure that music is my hobby, it shall never be my profession.


I think that's what I wanted to say.
Any stories from you guys?

[SilverHamer]

I have had similar experiences...people I've known from school making a break as a professional musician. Once upon a time I had the desire and vision to become a professional musician myself, but was unwilling to "pay the dues" of scraping by until I achieved some notariety. However, these days with the internet I can see that if a person has any talent at all that some of the "dues paying" could be averted with the right chemestry. But at this stage in my life I can say that I am in the same boat with you...that I am happy to keep my musical ventures in the category of being a hobby. BUT, I think I would probably go way out of my way to participate in a gig with EMP...assuming that could ever be a possibility. I have been doing the solo musical stuff so long that it is exciting to me to be able to play and record with other musicians...particularly THIS group.

[Jack In The Green]

Having music as my hobby doesn't mean for me that I'll never be on stage with what I can do. That will probably happen some day.

[babayaga]

My story is similar to Larry's... I played in bands semi-pro right through the 70's, and drew quite a local following in parts of Liverpool, but never pursued it to any other extent than just being a hobby. I think you either have to a) pursue it to the point of hunger, and ache every chord / note you play; or b) have a break and be in the right place at the right time. For me, it was to be neither, so I stayed a housing professional and music remains one of my interests.

Having played live for (probably) over 12 years, I wasn't in any hurry to get back out on the road these days. The production and recording side has been more important for me of late...especially as my daughter Becky (17) appears to be following in my footsteps when it comes to singing and performing. This was even before I became part of the EMP phenomenon we all know and love...

However, I've now had an offer to join a ten-piece band to play a charity gig early in November. I'll do a couple of lead vocal numbers, but will mostly help out on rhythm guitar and backing vocals. The band have two lead guitarists, keyboards, bass and a brass section.... it'll be something I've never done and as such I'm looking forward to it immensely. I'll try and get some video of the event to post if it all works out....

Jak...the live thing WILL happen for you, you're too good a player for it not to work out. When it does, just enjoy it and go with the flow... the audience will help take you where you want to go...

[Jack In The Green]

You won't believe it....just found out that another one of my former classmates is at the beginning of her career as a professional musician.

This is the MySpace site: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=215297314

She's the vocalist of the band.

Nice pop-stuff with german lyrics....not really my thing (you know it), but nice.

I'm sitting here with my acoustic guitar and try to play "Beside Myself" from Tull....doesn't work at all....maybe someday. :)

EDIT: Time for a "cheer up"-song....let's play "Life is A Long Song"!

[SilverHamer]

...EDIT: Time for a "cheer up"-song....let's play "Life is A Long Song"!

http://www.mediafire.com/?4nwmmmd33jj

Ok, here ya go. I didn't do the little intro bit...I was not having such a good day with my recording program when I made this a few years ago, and so I decided to forgo the very beginning intro...

LIECHTENSTEIN...that's a cool name for their band...the smallest country in Europe! :) Makes me wish I could go back to the Castle Vanduz (sp?) and have some good coffee :) Of course GOOD coffee has a dash of Inlander Rum in it...Stroh Rum preferably ;)

[Jack In The Green]

Thanks Larry!

You really brought a smile into my face.

The name of the band is really a nice one, a bit unusual, but in a good way.

And: We always have some Inl

[Steve Thamer]

Nice Place you got here guys!
- and Jack, I don't believe for a minute you won't play Pro to some extent.
Love the Bouree you did with these cats.
Your old Flute mate, Steve

[SilverHamer]

Hi Steve, and welcome again. If Jak has any shorcomings at all, it would have to be that he is modest. I think he kicks butt on just about everything he does.

[Steve Thamer]

I find Jack's "Music for Music's sake" attitude very refreshing and inspiring. Sometimes we can take the PRO thing a little too seriously.
Anyway, this is an excellent Forum , love what you guys are doing. And Jake , you have rekindled the idea in this old Dog, that the fun is in the playing.( And I'm not trying to butt in as a Flute player.) If I can contribute in anyway, teach me young Cyber Jammers...teach me.
Thanks again Silver & the rest for the kind Welcomes.

[Jack In The Green]

Hi Steve! You're welcome. :)

And I think that you're also very welcome here, in the EMP project.