I only play the larger gigs.... I don't play bars or 2 days notice gigs. That means: I probably play only 4 gigs per year these days, (average).
You may remember we just played a big gig in Pozo, (small saloon in the coast range mountains of Calif. that's very popular)....upon completing that job we had only one more gig scheduled on our calendar... and that next July, 2020. LRS Fest, the place we played this last July with Trace Adkins, Dwight Yoakim, Sawyer Brown.... and last week...
We got a notice that LRS Fest 2020 has been cancelled. We have ZERO gigs scheduled on our calendar. I suppose that's the first time since the mid-60's I've had NO gigs lined up, (except for my stint in the Army). Steve... this is one strange feeling... no gigs, none!
I'm sure in the next 3 months we'll pick up a big gig or two, we usually do, but as of today NADA!
Yes... I'm pondering full time retirement. Or let me put it this way... because I'm never going to stop playing... little jam sessions, for friends, I very much hope to continue doing until the grim reaper calls.... but the big gigs? I think my time has come to ride off into the sunset.
Rick and Randy, (Rhythm guitar and lead guitar), still love playing the big gigs... I'm sure they'll continue somehow. Gary, our other rhythm guitarist, is 100% cowboy and will ALWAYS do solo gigs playing old cowboy songs and various ranches and auctions across the West but like me I think he's done with the big gigs.
Maybe one day I'll put it all down on paper.... 55 years of playing on stages, in cow pastures, in milk barns, in bars, in backyards, in parades, in parks, on islands, at rodeos, at county and state fairs... yeah, I'm pretty sure I can come up with a tale or two.