Tim I was a guitar player in a band called Jace, it was jace smith from the Risk Springfield gang, we were doing demos with a producer named Drick Nakamoto. They did the demos without me behind my back and they had you play guitar, I was hurt and pissed until I heard what you played it was amazing. I realized I needed to get better so I practiced like crazy and become a much better player. Only bummer was I had to play your parts live, I pulled off the best I could. You are one the greats. Thanks for making me a better player.
These are the stories I love hearing from Tim! He’s an amazing storyteller!🙏🏻 This is the history of how the music industry and how it worked. Love this!
Haha! That's the pot calling the kettle black, Rick. Both Tim and you are wonderful resources for me, and it's amazing to me that you both are people I rely on. Music is so important in building community, and helping make the human connections so vital for peace in our troubled world. Rock, jazz, metal, classical, country on, dudes!
So true. And as a huge fan of his guitar work for the artists I enjoy, I'm also thankful for the volume of his output. You can never have too much great guitar!
With respect, I don’t think Tim is being a good role model here. There are times when pushing through can be a good thing, but trying to push through true burnout leads to chronic illness and mental health problems. Hustle culture is great for short term gains, but it’s an indicator of an unhealthy society that so many people feel they need to sacrifice their health for success.
@@vincedegennaro3534It's not bragging either. Many of us like to hear these stories, some of us seem to have a low esteem which makes it harder to accept that some are more successful than others.
I worked as an engineer in Nashville in the '80's. The one thing you learn when working in the 10-2-6 paradigm is that you get sounds quickly. That served me well over the years and leaves many in dismay that I don't spend hours eq'ing toms, etc...
There's a good Gadd story when he got flown over to the UK do a 10cc record. After about 10m he went into the control room to see why they were taking so long to get drum sounds - this was when taking a week wasn't unheard of...
The best thing about your videos, to me at least, is the pure joy playing guitar still brings you. Makes me smile just as big as you are when I watch! 🤘😁
Love the channel, Tim, and the positivity is infectious, even with more serious topics. Although I work in finance, rather than the arts (although I’m open if anyone has a need for a middle-aged, mediocre weekend guitar player), I can confirm that “succeeding” in a career means trading 40 hour weeks for 80 hour weeks. It means seeing your kids less than you’d hoped, taking calls at all times of the night/vacations. It means staying stone sober while your friends are having a good time, because you might get called into a high-stakes meeting any minute. Looking forward to joining you in the post-burnout phase of life, whenever that time may be
Great stories Tim I never realized what kind of sacrifices studio musicians have to make especially when it comes to family. You have plenty of great memories and experiences in the people you got to work with. The list of people you have worked with is amazing. Thank you.
100 hour weeks. Did that for a decade with helicopters. Rescue. Your adrenaline is shot -and you have to go do it again, and again in often dangerous situations. You’re not in the air all that time (FAA rules) but you are always with the helicopter. Really developed a good work ethic now that I have my own company. We’re always booked out but I don’t like working more than 6 days a week as I’ve been at it 4 decades. Love your channel Tim !
Paul Leim lived up the street from me in a small East Texas town. I remember the band director would let him play amazing drum solos at pep rallies. He has always been an impressive drummer.
God I just love this guy. That's why I bought your Les Paul! You are a just a kind decent person and thanks for your great channel. PS I am going to do a vid about your Les Paul. I play it everyday and I love it.
Great video Tim, very heartfelt, honest and faithful to your art ... you seem more relaxed these days...very nice to see you in the zone on this one...
Tim, this video comes at a moment where I am experiencing burnout in a job that is "supposedly" the apex of my industry and career. Thank you for sharing this story...it's easy to talk about powering through but another thing to do it. You got me through today...and learning guitar gets me through every day. Peace, brother....freelance is eat what you kill; saying "no" equals not getting paid and the fear of the work drying up...a true "snake eats its tail" scenario. Illuminating video for anyone who's lived it...great choice.
You have enormous pride in your work Tim, it shows even in your video's. I think it's great. I'm sure it's part of the reason so many people watch you.
I HAVE FOLLOWED YOU FOR SO VERY LONG, I LOVE ALL OF YOUR VIDEOS, YOU ARE THE TRUE MASTER OF THE TONE, YOUR PLAYING IS IMPECCABLE, SO FLUID, SO RELAXED, YET, VERY DETERMINED, I DREAM OF BEING ABLE TO EVEN COME CLOSE TO THE SIMPLE THINGS THAT YOU PLAY,. THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE GREAT VIDEOS, TIM. . YOU ARE THE BEST,..IMHO....
So sorry to say this but I didn´t know you before this video... but WOOOOOWWWWW what a career sir. Following your channel and your work from today on. Greetings from Mexico City.
Videos like this are a godsend to musicians -- it shows the level of dedication required to succeed, and is fair warning to those who think they could skate into the highest level of studio work. Very interesting video, and I hope you do more of them.
Tim, I enjoyed this. I appreciate you, and your work everyday as I listen to so many songs that you have had a part in. I must add that you have never had to work a day in your life. You have done what you LOVE to do, done it well and often. I'm 62 now and have never had anything more than a JOB to go to each day. No joy in that my friend. I play guitar when I get home and escape in to place I wish I had been all my life. You are blessed and gifted. Peace.
Always love your stuff, Tim. Just wondering - any chance you could do a lesson video on how to play "Don't Talk to Strangers" since you toured with Rick Springfield? Thanks.
Tim, my friend Todd and I used to do cartages for you in the early 90’s. If I recall correctly we’d set up a Bradshaw rack amongst other things. You gave Todd and I a couple guitars at one point.. a performance guitar strat which I took and a Tom anderson strat in pieces which Todd put together. I should have taken that Tom Anderson😀 I still play that guit! Love your videos.
The most professional person I performed with was Albritton McClain, former bass player for Donnie Iris. I swear the guy could play pretty much everything.
Omg! In the mid late 90s, after a good stretch in Film/TV post work, I spent about a year as a ProTooler in this world. Long hours, no sleep and compared to TV/Film, low pay! I found I really loved making movies more. It was a hectic nightmare, but great fun in many ways. Thanks for this video.
Tim, my good friend Steve Brittenham used to tell stories about when you first moved to LA, and all you ABQ guys living in the house would go to the coast for an afternoon at the beach. They'd all be playing in the sand and waves, and you'd be in the van with a guitar, working on your chops. You've had that intense drive and dedication to your craft since the early days. 😉
No doubt musicians and industry people saw Tim grinding with all his talent, and that was the inspiration they needed to keep going and give it their all too.
The 60s-00s will probably be looked upon as the golden age of the record industry, it'll never be like that again. You were one of the star players in the game! That's worth a bit of burnout imo.
Tim - it's commendable to have ultra dedication....to a point. After giving away too much at my various jobs (and music in the off hours). I've come to an understanding that life is too short to accept the unrealistic expectations of a majority of the corporate world. I don't know any other way to say it: it's abusive, and forced too many fabulous people to give up their souls, and in many cases, their very lives, for someone else's (or a malevolent system's) transient satisfaction. Food for thought. 🤔
I’ve been beating my head in Nashville for 15 years now. I make myself take Mondays and Tuesdays off now. I feel Ike I live in a constant state of burn out. Even with two days off a week.
Sounds familiar. I worked with the same commitment in a different field for exactly the same reasons. It reached a point where my life was work. My wife finally convinced me I had everything I needed to be comfortable for the rest of my years. I walked away at 53 and never looked back or regretted the decision. Ironically I attended memorial services for two colleagues of my age that died of heart attacks within a couple years of me leaving. Eleven years of living my life and doing what I want has been priceless. Part of that is getting together with friends a couple times a week to play Bluegrass!
If you’re trying to talk me out of being a professional musician, you did it. I don’t know how you haven’t stroked out. Love your stuff, slow down and enjoy the family occasionally!
Livin tha life you were born to live!!! Givin it all you got to giiiivvee Lovin every minute of what you dooo come come we wanna live it too ooooo (sorry Rock Star flashbacks)
Fun fact: as a 25 year old carpenter I would work 7-3:30 at my day job. Then either come home and work on my own house till 11 at night or a side job till the same time. Then on weekends I would do 8am till 7-8 at night at which point I’d get ready to PARTY? (God I miss being 25). It wasn’t until I was about 40 that I realized “I can’t keep doing this”. Honestly I regret all those years I spent on work and not with my family….
Actor here. The reason we get certain protections regarding turnaround (sometimes enhanced during negation) is because, in addition to needing sleep, we still have work to do memorizing and preparing the next day's scenes.
I remember "living on the edge of burnout" in film production and editing throughout the late 90s and all of the 00s... don't know how I did it now, but it was not without it's own rewards! 😃 so yeah, ALWAYS seems a little better, easier on the other side of the equation. but don't expect rewards without putting in the work, or even the hours! Life lessons...
Love your work! Love the stories! For the longest time, I thought Dave Sabo recorded the solo for Bon Jovi’s Runaway. Such a fantastic solo! I’ll bet there are others who still think the same thing and Dave, being a pragmatist, doesn’t say a word… 😊
