I guess I'm not doing good enough if you're not getting around to making music much...
 
No Keni.. I am saddled with a business I started in 1989 and in these times I am afraid to sell it. I have a guy who does most of the physical work but between it and my parents who are 95 and 96 and my daughter who is 33 going on 8, it takes all my time and energy... plus there is the garage that needs to be cleaned out before it freezes, this and that... but mostly my business that just sucks up all my mental and emotional energy. I am SO tired of it. I should just sell it and takes me chances...
 
My dad spent a week in the hospital and now my mom (because they didn't give him enough parkinsons meds, he was too weak to walk when he came home, and was shaking too badly to pee without getting it all over himself) saw the nurse (their grand daughter) helping him. Now she has convinced herself that after 75 years of marriage that he is sleeping with that woman upstairs. She is being mean as hell to him and everyday moves his hospital bed to the bedroom door and pushes their bed back to the center of the wall. He wanted the hospital bed beside their bed so that maybe she would move over and he could hold her hand... but no, she lays over on the other side and glares at him. She refused to go to the doctor last week and if she does not go this week I am calling an ambulance to come and take her willing or not to the hospital to be evaluated. She went at least three days without taking her meds. My dad had the good sense to give my wife financial and medical durable power of attorney a couple of months ago so we can take action. I am afraid she will hurt him. It seems like it is always something... so be encouraged!! Life ain't so bad,  and you are an inspiration. I keep buying upgrades because I know if I dont... I will never get there but if I don't give up, I will get something done, hopefully very soon. I have plenty of songs and tons of lyrics.... life is not over but it sometimes seems like (I am sure you remember 1969-1970-1973... give or take... plenty of energy, nothing but time. Bonfires, beer, tailgates. Now no energy and much more responsibilty. I don't remember who said it but strength and beauty is wasted on the young. It is what it is... I am happy!! I intend to buy your albums to support you.
 
J

Hey Keni,
 
You may have heard the expression,"Suffering for your art"?
 
I don't know why, but I have great respect for people that do.
 
I just want you to know that many of us can relate and are indeed on your side!
 
I walked away from a 10 year marriage, and about $48,000 in mortgage payments & any $$ from the house after it sold, which she kept it all, [considering my parents helped with the down payment, and that money should have gone back to them]; then I had my next house foreclosed on; went bankrupt, ruining my perfect credit rating for the next 7 years; ended up homeless for a while; lost a bunch of friends in the midst; caught my brother half dressed with my wife just weeks after we'd split; then lived in a school bus that I converted to a basic motor-home for the next 10 years, all the while mostly unemployed.
 
And yet, after much time & troubles, I'm truly smilin' again and things are better than ever!
 
So my advice after all that and much much more?
 
Turn to & trust in the Lord, my friend - trust in the Lord!
 
There's no distance you can slide that His arm is not long enough to reach down to.
 
Better days ahead!
 
Cheers Brother!
 
:)
 
 

markyzno
How can I pipe in here?...I cant but I will try...(who gives a **** about what I say anyway but HEY, this is from the heart) Firstly, Keni...May I offer my absolute energy to you.... I too am an artist, I have had "pseudo fame" (i really never will go into that here) and now I work deeply embedded in film (ESCAPE!) and music is my ironic self depreciating hobby... Lots of people on here have already shared their love and support for you and may I do the same in the most sincere fashion. How can I as a 39 year old give my advice to a 62 year old.....??? Well, I hope to **** I am still striving to make music when I am 62 and blasting off about a DAW update with as much passion as you. I raise my glass to you, inspirational Soul that you are.... You have friends here....even if we do all complain about the Bakers x p.s you dont have to pay for copyright.....  

Thanks markyzno...

Good advice can come from anyone at any age with good ideas... I thank you for your care and hope that your life path is good...

But tell me, how do you get free copyrights?

Keni

stevec
I'll give you this much, Keni...  at your age and under the circumstances you described, I seriously doubt I could ever pull of what you are doing.   So cheers to you, and here's hoping that in the near future you'll fall into that X3 upgrade. 

Thanks Steve...

Your good wishes and appreciation are well received... And I'll bet you're still making music when you're my age too... It's an addictive habit hard to kick! ;-)

Keni

doncolga
I'm 40 and the prospect of me still making music when I'm 62 is extremely exciting to me.

Keep at it! I thought I'd be dead by forty and here I've created six albums since that age! ;-)

Keni

Beepster
Huh. I didn't realize I had shared any vids with you guys. I must have been drunk because anything I have access to is of horrendous quality. I've got a bunch of board mixes that need to be cleaned up and synced to the associated vids (part of my multi step plan for the DAW) but I'm nowhere near that point yet. I apologize to anyone who may have been subjected to that dreck. Over enthusiastic fans, band members and other associates are responsible for that stuff. I never would have signed off on any of it personally. Rather embarrassing frankly. But... back to keni. You can see the appreciation folks have for you and your tunes here. It may not keep the lights on or food on the table but it's something to be proud of. Most people could only dream of having that kind of effect on this world. I'm sure you'll be alright despite whatever may be going on right now. Life has a tendency to provide what we need even when it feels like it's kicking us in the head. Stay positive as best you can. Manifest destiny and all that rot. Cheers.

Thanks Beepster...

I am truly blessed with so many friends that care... And I appreciate it more than I can say... This thread has definitely raised my spirits a bit and I thank you and the others for it!

I look forward to checking out your videos when you're ready to share them!

Keni

Tunerman
Keni,Greeting from the from Santa Rosa area, right down the road from the Willets, the 'twilight zone of calif'  (as you called it).  I too had some very dark days 3 years ago when diagnosed with cancer (ok for now), a divorce (finally over!) and a terrible supervisor at my 1/2 time, State of CA job, which consumed my life for a time. I turned to music to help me through this dark period. At that time, 59, I had my own mortality staring me down. My decision was to make a CD of originals, as professionally as I could.  Jumped on the 8.5 bandwagon, X1 and just did the X2 $49 upgrade-and now sitting on the fence for X3. Use the tools you have now to make music. From what I've heard of your CD's it's very good! Find solace in that place. Your music. The rest....eventually it will fall in place. The new clients, a steadier income and a sense of stability will come to you.You want that now, I know. But it will come to you. Oops...ouch! I just hurt myself falling off my soapbox. All the best and hang in there. m    

Thanks tuner man...

Howdy neighbor!

I'm glad your cancer is under control... It's far too common a disease in our age group... How did the first album turn out?

...careful not to twist an ankle getting off the soapbox! ;-)

Keni

jimusic

sharkePlus...give it time...I seem to remember a "honeymoon period" after X2 as well, when everyone was raving about it, before the problems started showing themselves. Not wanting to be too pessimistic because I've had a good experience with X3 so far, but you know how these things work lol......

Kind of reminds me of those of us who've ever made the Ford Motor Company mistake, of which my Father did once & I did twice. It's all nice & shiny new in the showroom floor where the 'ooohs & aaahs' take place, and then about a month later, [basically by the time it's ready for it's first wash], you think to yourself, "Oh my God - I just bought a Ford! And now I can't even return it!  And no one will want to buy it used - most don't even want it when it's new! What was I thinking?"    Lol..................................I know, I know - off topic. Just couldn't resist adding a little levity!

Thanks! Badly needed!

:-)

Keni

jbow
I guess I'm not doing good enough if you're not getting around to making music much...  No Keni.. I am saddled with a business I started in 1989 and in these times I am afraid to sell it. I have a guy who does most of the physical work but between it and my parents who are 95 and 96 and my daughter who is 33 going on 8, it takes all my time and energy... plus there is the garage that needs to be cleaned out before it freezes, this and that... but mostly my business that just sucks up all my mental and emotional energy. I am SO tired of it. I should just sell it and takes me chances... My dad spent a week in the hospital and now my mom (because they didn't give him enough parkinsons meds, he was too weak to walk when he came home, and was shaking too badly to pee without getting it all over himself) saw the nurse (their grand daughter) helping him. Now she has convinced herself that after 75 years of marriage that he is sleeping with that woman upstairs. She is being mean as hell to him and everyday moves his hospital bed to the bedroom door and pushes their bed back to the center of the wall. He wanted the hospital bed beside their bed so that maybe she would move over and he could hold her hand... but no, she lays over on the other side and glares at him. She refused to go to the doctor last week and if she does not go this week I am calling an ambulance to come and take her willing or not to the hospital to be evaluated. She went at least three days without taking her meds. My dad had the good sense to give my wife financial and medical durable power of attorney a couple of months ago so we can take action. I am afraid she will hurt him. It seems like it is always something... so be encouraged!! Life ain't so bad,  and you are an inspiration. I keep buying upgrades because I know if I dont... I will never get there but if I don't give up, I will get something done, hopefully very soon. I have plenty of songs and tons of lyrics.... life is not over but it sometimes seems like (I am sure you remember 1969-1970-1973... give or take... plenty of energy, nothing but time. Bonfires, beer, tailgates. Now no energy and much more responsibilty. I don't remember who said it but strength and beauty is wasted on the young. It is what it is... I am happy!! I intend to buy your albums to support you. J

Hi J...

I feel for you. I know too well how hard it is to care for the aged... Especially when it's your own folks... I guess in som way I was lucky not to have any kids... One less set of problems! ;-)


'69... Graduating HS... Woodstock... Berklee College Of Music (70)... Bands, studios, touring... List of good memories even if no cash! ;-)

Thanks for your kind offer to buy my albums... It's ok if you don't too... I feel your concern and that's the more important part for me... But if you do buy any, I sure hope you enjoy it!

I'll be thinking good thoughts for you and your folks too!

Keni

jimusic
Hey Keni, You may have heard the expression,"Suffering for your art"? I don't know why, but I have great respect for people that do. I just want you to know that many of us can relate and are indeed on your side! I walked away from a 10 year marriage, and about $48,000 in mortgage payments & any $$ from the house after it sold, which she kept it all, [considering my parents helped with the down payment, and that money should have gone back to them]; then I had my next house foreclosed on; went bankrupt, ruining my perfect credit rating for the next 7 years; ended up homeless for a while; lost a bunch of friends in the midst; caught my brother half dressed with my wife just weeks after we'd split; then lived in a school bus that I converted to a basic motor-home for the next 10 years, all the while mostly unemployed. And yet, after much time & troubles, I'm truly smilin' again and things are better than ever! So my advice after all that and much much more? Turn to & trust in the Lord, my friend - trust in the Lord! There's no distance you can slide that His arm is not long enough to reach down to. Better days ahead! Cheers Brother! :)  

Thanks jimusic...

That sounds like some tough stuff to go thru... My hat's off to you on staying positive throughout!

My story is along those same lines without the fidelity issues... My ex simply took everything she could...

I'm glad you found solace and support through your beliefs... Mine are of a different path...

Funny, but when I was younger I always brought up "you've gotta suffer to play the blues" to stay on course! ;-)

Keni