Are You Too Old For A Music Career? 

Hi Dax - where's this eBook at - ready to get goin - thanks

Fun content. Now 53 and was a pro musician in my 20's but not pro enough to pay for a family. Going after it again 25 years later with an acoustic solo act. I worked in corporate America for 20 years and will now happily take 40% of the money for a MUCH higher quality of life. We only live once.... I think. Go after your passion. ✌👉

I’m 61 and just starting to write songs (literally, JUST STARTING). I’m a retired, disabled Army vet and I simply can’t imagine doing anything else for whatever amount of time I have left. Seeing as several people on both sides of my family have lived 100 years or longer (the “record” is 106), I could be around a while. May as well go out rockin’, eh? Thank you for this video. I needed to see this.

I’m 70 and watching this video and just came home from a gig with a Motown, R&B band . I’ve been working professionally since 1977 and don’t plan on stopping.

I'm about to turn 59 and I've never thought about giving up my gift. Mostly because it's literally the only thing I'm good at.

I didn't start my music career until I was 31. I just did a tour driving and doing merch for Rollo Tomassi, The Callous Daoboys, and Pound. I played a show a week ago with Party Cannon at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, and I have two tours planned next year. It is never too late.

I’m 52 and while I don’t have any dreams of commercial success I am getting paid to perform my own songs with gigs 3-7 days per week. Still releasing music regularly regardless of the algorithms and writing what I want. This is all unexpected as I got serious about it during the pandemic when I had too much time on my hands. Getting better with age!

Well, I`m getting 72 this month. Thx for this video, I played music since I was 14. Things have all changed but it still is a good feeling to go out on stage an do my thing. I am sort of a singer/songwriter-Bluesmusician and I`m living in Germany, I`m a selftaught guy but later I went to a music university to study classical music. My Instrument is and was the guitar. I started playing slide at the age of 16 but I did make another 3 tries to get it better since 2021. I used to play American Folk, Irisch Folk, Blues, Rock, Jazz, classical stuff. I also leaned how to make my own microphones and Guitars and amps from scratch and how to record professionally. I had my own business as a luthier and a repairguy for all the things needed on stage and in the studio. I was also giving PA-systems for rent and also was hired as a technican to run Pa`s and setup stages. I`m teaching guitar. I have both of my hands involved in some serious surgeries to get them fully working again and I finally got rid of gut cancer two years ago. I guess I will never give up music and what would this be good for? So here`s to all you guys out there : keep going Ralf Falk

Thank you, I'm 37 now and sometimes I'm doubtful because of my age. This helps a lot.

I'm 35 and I never played music professionally. I should have started 15 years ago but fuck it. I'm doing it right now. What other choices I have.

74 next week and just released High Tide Is Coming! Been playing 60 yrs. Still love writing and playing original songs 🎶

I'm 32 and today, for the first time, I considered giving up making music. Your video gave me hope. Thank you so much!

I only started releasing and playing gigs at 46

Hello Dax, I'm 62 and just just got a little emotional watching this.. Thank you so much for the badly needed inspiration.. :)

My, say, "initial" ideas are all on YT with loads more in limbo, but I have literally no idea who my audience would be. I'll take whoever likes it for whatever value they see in it. And I could never find a musical partner to develop all that with. Time flies and I'm about to turn 50. Oh well...

It's amazing time I came across this. I retired young. Mid 40s. I have been in and put of music since I was 10 years old. Played sax and guitar. I'm looking at going into music full time. Nothing big, just want to make beer money. It's going to be a lot of work to get my skills back up but I am already getting a lot of positive feedback and I am having a blast. Trying to take my guitar playing to the next level and get my sax playing back to where I was when I was 25. Love the video. Thanks for putting it out

I turn 40 in a couple months. All I can say is... thank you

Our debut album was released in November 2023. It received fantastic reviews, even being described as, “a masterpiece” and it was suggested that it should feature in many “best of 2023” album lists. My writing partner is half my age in his mid 30s but we just have a great synergy. We make music for the love of it and it’s awesome when we get such positive feedback. Thank you for making this video 🎸👍 Remember, when you make music, you’re also making your legacy 😎

Im old as dirt, but compelled to write and record songs. I couldnt stop if I tried,,if more people like the songs great,,if not it doesnt matter Im not stopping,lol

BTW: thank you, I think I love you😂its nice to actually be told I can have a career in music at 65…😀

New subbie here! Thanks for the great encouragement! I've been pursuing music for a long time and I've always had tons of compliments and encouragement from people and even had a full music scholarship in college. Never could quite make a living at it and you know just life things, but now have a new hope with all the great new things happening in the music environment. I'm over 50 and I look good, sound great, and have a lot of talent to give. I'm going for it!

I needed to hear this. Thank you.

This is dope! Great overall point + super funny.

The problem with still pursuing it well into one's 30s, is that so much focus is put on making that first album something amazing... that no album ever comes.

Thanks for the encouragement, man! I appreciate these kind of videos from time to time!

What's REALLY funny is I was told by 3 different 'psychics' I would be very successful BUT be very old.'! I'm 61 and been writing a few genres of music since 1989. And though I've been in many bands I've not made one red cent from my original music(on my other channel).Nice encouraging vid though! 👍👍

All our adult lives hubby gigged part time here and there on a very small level but still had the “real job”. Drummer Hub is now 53 and we just sold it all to chase the dream. We are having the time of our lives! Will we make it financially? Who ever does?? lol. We are here to keep live music alive and have fun doing it!

I actually enjoy the idea of reaching out to my local community with music…. Most of the people I see are older musicians playing the ‘oldies’ from the 60s 70s 80s etc … I am in the Branson Springfield MO area and it has a rich music history. Some are Grammy award winning… Chapman Bros, Ozark Mountain Daredevils… these people are all professional and successful in the community… and Over 50…. just keep an open mind as to what success means and have the idea of doing multiple music or music related professional project going on…

Great video, thanks for that

Man, I started playing guitar at 13, studying music at 14, studying in a conservatory at 17, starting to learn about music production at 20, started to sing at 22, I'm now 29 and I recently launch my career as a singer. Actually Idk what kind of music I want to make because I work producing music for advertising, recording guitars and have a very diverse background. But bro... I now I can do something great! I won't give up because I'm almost 30. 30 year old people are just adults NOT OLD PEOPLE. Hope this helps someone, I think my progress as been slow but I've never quit.

Thanks for this man, i needed this today

Well said amigo! Keep up the good work.

Wasn’t Huey Lewis around 38 when he got his record deal? He had a huge career. 😊

"Success expiration date is death" Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allen Poe, Scott Joplin, Selena: challenge accepted.

Thank you very much brother. this is for me. More grace.

Dude, thank you for this. I'm 27 and I kind of felt like this over time but i'm realizing how stupid it sounds now. Glad to see content like this in my recommended. Got a sub from me.

Thank you.

Thank you kindly for your encouragement. Its much appreciated.

I never think that your too old do something as long as your still alive. Including being successful at music this is what I needed to hear Daxton I've wanted to start a band for the longest time I must have been saying that since 1998

I think whats important is us older dudes support each other in music making, thats what the youngsters do. If you look at the views for taylor swift and ed Sheeran they are in the Billions. Many Views for classic Beatle songs are in the single digit millions, Why? There are enough older people with smart phones now to really create pooularity not only from old acts but from older people doing new stuff. And hey once the youngsters start seeing something is really popular they might jump on the band wagon.

Hey I will be 59 in August and I'm creating my first CD/Album called "Coming Home" hopefully I'm never too old for having fun.

A 42 year old hailing here. Have been making music for years, decades now. There should be more videos like this.

I needed to hear this today, thank you.

You’re gold. Thanks for this 🙏🏼

Great advice man. Love your positive lens.

Great stuff man! The cool thing about music is you can play at any age, unlike something like contact sports, etc.. BB King was still out playing almost up until the day he died and he was well into his 80's. There's no shelf life for playing music-I see some amazing older musicians playing out all the time.

This is lovely!

Great and inspiring video....

Thank you for your wise and kind words sir.

This really motivated me, thank you! I have a somewhat steady session vocal career (I say somewhat, because 2020 annihilated me and I've had to claw my way back ever since; something I'm sure a lot of musicians can relate to) but I've neglected my own projects (different moniker) for a looong time. I guess I feel like if I'm in the studio, it should be for fast return and the joy is lesser than when I am creating for art's sake. I did and do have a niche audience who continue to listen to that project...and a ton of unfinished DAW arrangements. I should make time for it. Thanks again! p.s. I'm 46 but age is irrelevant unless mainstream, imo :)

Thank you!

There are still people who love the music that came out when I was young. Bach still rocks, man!

God bless you. I needed to hear this

Thank You for your words.

Good vid!😊

really needed to hear this, thank you. struggling with this a lot because I *was* one of those child prodigies getting scholarships and winning competitions before stuff I couldn't control kept landing on me and it's taken until my late 30s to get my life stable, so it's been hard to tell myself I didn't simply miss my shot. it's made worse by the fact I love the edgy y2k stuff from my adolescence and doing that in middle age feels pathetic somehow, but I guess I'm lucky in that regard because it seems to still appeal to both millennials and gen z.

Alan Vega was 40 when they released debut Suicide album, and their gigs was full of young teens who didn’t care

I'm an old bassist who would love to play in a band. I can, like, wear a bag over my head and you can tell people I'm 20. I don't care lol

Started rapping at 23. Didn’t start back doing until almost 30… I’ve been fairly consistent for the last few years, even took time off to learn how to sing. I have no idea whether I want to take it serious or not, but fck it. Creating is fun, so imma keep making music. Hopefully someday, it’ll be music I can profit from.

I think that your music CAN be successful at any age, AS LONG as it's really outstanding. It's got to blow people away. If I see a guitarist play an original song, and he's starting the song by fretting a G or C chord, you can basically forget it. Do something beyond that!

I think of seasick Steve who became popular in his sixties. Or other artists who “peaked” later on in life. I think the idea that it’s a young man’s game is pathetic. I’ve written songs all my life, I’ll never stop singing and writing songs. Am I the best singer/guitarist in the world? No but I don’t have to be. I enjoy writing songs and singing them for my own pleasure, not for anyone else’s.

Respect Bredren 🇯🇲👍💯

My adventure in the music business and age means nothing. Years playing in covers bands, an MBA from another career, and a strong financial base makes a world of difference.

Dope

26 still learning to play guitar lol, i dont know where i'll end up but i'll never stop.

Hi just found your inspiring vid thanks! I'm an ex Pro drummer from way back but have been writing music for years some ex bandmembers didn't like or support that and wanted me to stay behind lol. I've been playing keys and guitar more for the last 7 years and have a tiny channel but more of a studio guy .I get no support at all from family any ideas?

I'm 27, you say 30+ as if I'm gonna age 3 more years and turn into a old man haha. I feel healthier than I did when I was 16 age is just a number

Sir im here in america i write songs, sing , perform but now i wanna make a worldwide success but im 28. Is it possible sir

What if im 53, wife and 2 kids. Almost no money and no free time. Should i quit my job or what should i do?

These days the odds of getting any money is not much... there are extremely talented bands like the little trolls call them the trolls now in Buffalo they had a record they got a lot of gigs people love them are famous in their own mind. Why don't you tell the truth the odds are very little.... do it because you want to because you loved it like they do.... well when I'm down I can write I don't care if I'm famous or Rich... I was almost 55 when I got my first real guitar the Les Paul Studio what a song your blank is blankety blank I will attempt to do photography in Rochester New York that is what I am going to do it is a great City for art where I live is there's more cows than people 56,000 people in the county so you're not going to ever do anything here very easily but there there was thousands of people at the art show.... you have to catch their attention on the first note the name the song.... the best songs they will paint a picture on your mind that you will never forget like LOL the Chili Peppers I would never forget that one

I just went and listened to some of Frusciante’s first album and it was just awful. Seriously the word gong I’ve ever heard, and I’ve heard a lot of bad shit in my day.

No one should be looking for success in the music business just playing with like minded people and getting paid for gigging is all that musicians ask for and since it's not sport you can play well into your advanced years

Never trust anyone over 30 in music.

Omfg I think I've met you like ten times, but you were ten different dudes.

everyone is too old. makes no money no matter what age.

"He did a great job... I can't even remember his name."

Come back when you're 70 and tell us.