There Comes a Time

[johnnyringo]

Hey guys, I believe I've reached the point of hanging up the drumsticks, at least for gigging. Over the last year I've gone through a some very stressful events, from losing my girlfriend of 14 years to medical issues. My depression and anxiety has gotten the best of me. I couldn't imagine even thinking this a few short years ago, but now, I don't get as much joy in drumming. I bang around a bit here in my apartment and have ventured out here and there with other musicians. I just don't have the same passion I once did to join or start a band. I still love the drums and I'll probably always have at least one kit, but I believe it's time to say goodbye to the gigging life. Sorry to be such a downer.

[jaghog]

Don’t give up jr
it’s a passion that keeps you young

[O-Lugs]

Not a downer at all man. It happened to me almost the same way. Gigging became a young man's job around here and I got an image of me being "that guy" who stays too long at the party. It was time for me to hang it up, too. In all honesty, I was expecting it to be a bigger deal....but it wasn't. My playing had no lasting impact on anyone, after all. I was always replaceable. I wanted to be a great drummer when I was a daydreaming kid...but reality and time took care of that. It was an exciting, struggling life for nearly 45 years and, where I came from, having an exciting life is unheard of. If I allow myself to look back in regret, now, then I basically rob myself of the real reward -which was to live the life....which I did.

Embrace this transition.

[salty 1322]

Originally Posted by O-Lugs

Not a downer at all man. It happened to me almost the same way. Gigging became a young man's job around here and I got an image of me being "that guy" who stays too long at the party. It was time for me to hang it up, too. In all honesty, I was expecting it to be a bigger deal....but it wasn't. My playing had no lasting impact on anyone, after all. I was always replaceable. I wanted to be a great drummer when I was a daydreaming kid...but reality and time took care of that. It was an exciting, struggling life for nearly 45 years and, where I came from, having an exciting life is unheard of. If I allow myself to look back in regret, now, then I basically rob myself of the real reward -which was to live the life....which I did.

Embrace this transition.

Sounds like O-Lugs is a very literate, honest and wise man. Thank you for sharing, sir. The time will eventually arrive for all of us. Like you say O-Lugs, "Embrace the transition."
Brian

[jccabinets]

I don't miss the gigs at all. I really enjoy the relaxed environment of our biweekly jam sessions. It's just fun, no work at all.
I'm sorry to hear of allthe grief life has dished out to you. For me music is medicine in fact one of my favorite bands is Nahko and medicine for the people.
Hang on to the drums like you say, you will need them.

[grantro]

Hopefully you will still hang here with us!! All the best to you, JR!!

Cheers

[Dan Boucher]

Maybe it's better to make the decision that letting the decision be made for you. Even so, if you still have opportunities, go for it.

[johnnyringo]

Originally Posted by Dan Boucher

Maybe it's better to make the decision that letting the decision be made for you. Even so, if you still have opportunities, go for it.

I did try out with a band a few months ago, my former female vocalist put together a band and she thought of me, but apparently the other guys didn't like my playing. She told me if it was just up to her I would had gotten the gig. I was a bit rusty having not played in a band for awhile and that stroke I had last April didn't help. I took a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) and aced most of it, but I have something called Respiratory Muscle Weakness, my lungs are good, but apparently the stroke messed with my respiratory muscles. I actually took those particular test again about two weeks later and scored higher, but still under where I should be for my age. The Pulmonologist doesn't seem too concerned, but I am, I get short of breath just standing, not so much with exercise, but when I stand for hours I get tightness in my neck and upper chest and I'm constantly trying to take a deep breath, then my anxiety kicks in. It all stinks.

[CTMichaelV]

Sorry to hear JR
I think we all go through a time where we realize that the bright lights are no longer what we want. So sorry for your hardships lately and while you will be missed on the stage for those that saw you play, our community here really appreciates you and your posts.
Like you I gave up playing a while ago and mainly sit behind my kit with headphones on to play along to some of my favorite tunes. I hope you never loose that passion along with the vintage drum yearning to collect and share insights.

[O-Lugs]

You know...being a drummer in the world is a very, VERY rare talent. I did a quick search: "How many drummers are in the world?" The answer was roughly something like 3.5 million. Then I did a search to find out how many people are in the world, now. The answer was: ~7.5 BILLION. So what percentage of those 7.5 billion people is 3.5 million drummers? The answer is, roughly: 0.057%

My point is that we are some of the rarest people on Earth! Can any of us say that it was an easy life of nothing but smooth ice? I seriously doubt it. No. But no good stories came out of living the easy life. either. I'm sure any one of us could write a book! Hey, JR....Maybe it's time to start writing yours? -just sayin'!