Thinking Maybe Its Time To Hang It Up:

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
Fallen Star
Country flag
Saturday, i had a catastrophic failure of my PC which took out both internal hard drives. Everything is lost, except the bits i posted on Soundcloud. All the multitrack recordings, CD projects and song ideas - even projects i was working on at home for the studio for hire - vanished - and its critical now to finish them from scratch.

I felt like i probably should have been running an external hard drive, but you get busy, you put things off, its human nature i suppose.

At first, i was pissed, but then i began looking at this as a sign or an omen of sorts.

For a while, i been considering just walking away from music entirely, and this event is the push that i needed to do so.

Just a couple of weeks ago, my wife and i discussed me quitting and just drawing from my retirement early. The only thing that really kept me pushing along was the thought of someday completing my solo CD, but now i feel like the mountain is just too high.

I have committed myself to a project that will require the next few weeks of work (every night) to get it up off the ground, but i am going to tell the bandleader he needs to start auditioning replacement guitarists ASAP. I swear that if i had not given my word on this, i would walk away from it all tonight.

I've been feeling this way for a while actually, but, predictably, i just keep going, even if I'm not really getting anywhere, because that's what I've always done...and i guess im just tired of doing it.

TBTH, the only thing i really want to do now is just stay gone on the motorcycle. That has become my Redemption and my sense of freedom. Its infectious. Consuming and yet liberating. It's the only thing that hasn't drained energy from me.

I've enjoyed you folks a great deal and I apologize for being an opinonated poop chute. I have made some great friends on here, but I have no doubt the music world will keep on turning.

Here's wishing you all the best...
 
Man...understand & get it.....when you get on that motorcycle....take it all in...let it go....you will have the backdrop for your CD ..but all other peoples music has to be off your mind..it is the Artist time..your artist time

I have been doing this a long time..share your ups & downs... going to be candid..you are the guy,,,i want you play on a CD someday & have you take me to the biggest challenge ever musically...you have such massive talent ...and a work ethic..a rare combo

Robert...i retire soon..our legal stuff is winding down....i am requesting when you see that has happened in my life,..and you are playing from the heart again & just tearing it up...i dead seriously want to take 2 weeks & do a CD...i will fly you down wherever we are..bring your wife...we got a lot in common....we have not even scratched the surface as to what music can be made..i wish you the best....my phone number & email will be in your inbox....best wishes...get some rest...enjoy your family !! J & Den
 
"The only thing that really kept me pushing along was the thought of someday completing my solo CD, but now i feel like the mountain is just too high."

^ no it's not. Here is your focus.

Have a break. Relax. Slowly, make a plan to get a solo album done. It will take as long as it takes, and will come about in whatever form it comes about...
 
BFT Gibson said:
Man...understand & get it.....when you get on that motorcycle....take it all in...let it go....you will have the backdrop for your CD ..but all other peoples music has to be off your mind..it is the Artist time..your artist time

I have been doing this a long time..share your ups & downs... going to be candid..you are the guy,,,i want you play on a CD someday & have you take me to the biggest challenge ever musically...you have such massive talent ...and a work ethic..a rare combo

Robert...i retire soon..our legal stuff is winding down....i am requesting when you see that has happened in my life,..and you are playing from the heart again & just tearing it up...i dead seriously want to take 2 weeks & do a CD...i will fly you down wherever we are..bring your wife...we got a lot in common....we have not even scratched the surface as to what music can be made..i wish you the best....my phone number & email will be in your inbox....best wishes...get some rest...enjoy your family !! J & Den
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Bless you guys...your friendship and kindness is remarkable.

Peace...
 
Gahr said:
Wow, really sorry to hear this, Robert! Have you tried contacting someone well versed in computer stuff in order to try to retrieve one of what you have lost?

Are you sure you can walk away from music entirely?? We sure don't want to lose you here on TTR, man!
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My 'walk away' certainly won't happen overnight. Almost everything i do is associated with a contract and those contracts must be fulfilled and that takes time...
 
I've officially cut ties with all but two bands. I never break a promise, so bands that i was just filling in for - on a temp basis - i have walked away from.

Saturday, i left the 'Fire Control' music project, but they are in such a great place right now. Just before i left, we pulled in the former bassist of My Michelle GNR Tribute. Along with Ricky Rayven on lead guitar, Man, i think they are set. They have teamed up with another local band called "Limonite" and they have live shows coming up in May.

Jim, Henry, Ricky and Steve are great guys.

With the band "Outfall," i promised them a complete, second CD and i intend to make good on that promise, however long that takes.

I'm also promised/handshaked to helping revive this latest 'Supergroup' and i will also see that through.
 
Robert,

I really do feel for you. In a way, I think all of us have those sudden situations happen in life that set us back on whatever our current hopes may have been.

I would tell you definitely not to "hang it up". Maybe, refocusing/redirecting is in order. Maybe, take a step back, catch your breath, unwind on your motorcycle for awhile...and come back when you've had a chance to clear your mind. Perhaps, you'll find a different musical direction that is actually more satisfying.

Regardless, we're behind you!
 
Mr Grumpy said:
"The only thing that really kept me pushing along was the thought of someday completing my solo CD, but now i feel like the mountain is just too high."

^ no it's not. Here is your focus.

Have a break. Relax. Slowly, make a plan to get a solo album done. It will take as long as it takes, and will come about in whatever form it comes about...
Click to expand...

A little rant here...

I was able to go to bed at 8pm last night and my eyes just popped open at 2:00am, so i need something to do right now, since my XR500R is too loud to start up and ride.

I woke up about a week ago at 3am...having gone to bed at 10pm...i couldn't get back to sleep, and i just realized that i been pushing a car uphill with the brakes on for a few years now with some of these bands.

For many of you, music is a fun hobby. For me, it's been a 5-7 night a week monster...and then you add the band drama...the death of our bassist, two hostile takeover attempts in 4 months and nobody wanting to leave the rehearsal studio and perform live because "we ain't tight enough."

Saturdays from Noon to 6pm was set aside for our band rehearsal. But that kept me from playing live at/with several very lucrative performances.

I mean, i was chipping in my part ($12.00) to rent the rehearsal studio in Riverside and having to pass on a $300.00 live gig??? WTF???

When i tried to move our rehearsal dates/times, other members were inflexible, so i just politely walked away and preserved my friendships.

I was talking with one of the drummers i play with (and an avid cycle nut) yesterday and he said, "Man, we should do something!"

And i answered, "Yes! Let's enter the Baja 500 this year and team ride your new 500cc KTM!"

He texted back, "Dude, i know you are joking."

"No, i am SERIOUS!!!"

So, I'm thinking, If the 500 is too much. Then there's the San Felipe 250 and if that's too much, then theres AMA Amateur SuperMotocross at Glen Helen in the 50+ class, and Glen Helen Raceway is so close to me, that i can ride my bike to the track through the riverbed.

I realized something Saturday on my ride through the desert...nobody is on board with me in any of my visions. Im too much or too talkative or too extreme or too pushy or just too big of an poop chute.

So, i guess just sit and watch the hummybirds until i die??? Nobody wants to do that either. WTF???

I can't fcukin' win, Man...FML

So, i just keep putting pins in the map, across the most desolate sections of desert that i can find. There is something about traveling that distance, while everyone else says it can't - or at least shouldn't - be done, that gives me something unique - even though i can't share it with anyone - nobody can take it away from me either....if that makes any sense.

Peace...

husky-monument.jpg
 
Robert Herndon said:
TBTH, the only thing i really want to do now is just stay gone on the motorcycle. That has become my Redemption and my sense of freedom. Its infectious. Consuming and yet liberating. It's the only thing that hasn't drained energy from me.
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oh.....I certainly "get that" -- 1000% ---
You never see a motorcycle parked out side a psychiatrist office --- its the ONLY thing that has kept me sane in my life and the 1 constant I can rely on. Riding has become almost a Zen experience with total focus and pin point body/mind/soul synergy.

I wish you many safe and happy miles Robert--- please do pop in and post a pic from your travels now and again -- those of us chained to the work station would sure love it.

God SPeed & Safe Travels Sir !!
 
Please don't leave the TTR, Robert.

I know you are not a guy who does anything by halves, but isn't finding a band that plays purely for fun an option? I mean, gigs are the coolest, but enjoying the music is what it is really about, it is for me at least.
 
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