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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: David Parker on April 29, 2014, 08:21:39 AM

Title: retiring
Post by: David Parker on April 29, 2014, 08:21:39 AM
I'll be 60 in October, and I retired from my day job after 38 years a year and a half ago. I had 3 cover tune bands I was working for, let two of them go, and I told them 3rd (who consider me a member of the band) no guarantees after the end of this year. I'm tired of the stress. I just don't want to do it anymore. Been at it over 20 years. Between the fact that all my cabs are custom built and have little resale value, and the fact everything has been fully depreciated, so the IRS would get a big chunk of anything I sell, I think I'll just keep the rig for an occasional charity gig. Getting home at 4am just doesn't appeal to me any more.

I'm spending my time singing at nursing homes. Old country and Gospel. I always leave with more than I gave. Feels good to bring joy to folks mostly forgotten.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Jerome Malsack on April 29, 2014, 08:50:57 AM
Congrats on you move to the less stress more fun side.

enjoy. 
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Tim McCulloch on April 29, 2014, 09:37:02 AM
Sounds like a plan, David.  Enjoy the lighter schedule (because you probably won't fully retire).
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Alex Rigodanzo on April 29, 2014, 12:36:02 PM
Why would the IRS ever need to know you sold gear?
 
I "retired" several years ago because I was tired of too much work for too little pay (bar cover bands as well).  I've recently been dragged kicking and screaming back into it for another round.  The band I'm working for had the same soundman for all 10 years of their existence and he had probably another 10 years before that.  He too had reached the end of his rope and wanted to spend more time fishing.

I'm sure you'll enjoy getting a good nights sleep on the weekends now, and I wish you well on your singing career.  I have a friend about your age who sings in nursing homes and the residents just love him and he gets a big a kick out of bringing some "life" to their events.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Jamin Lynch on April 29, 2014, 01:17:03 PM
I'll be 60 in October, and I retired from my day job after 38 years a year and a half ago. I had 3 cover tune bands I was working for, let two of them go, and I told them 3rd (who consider me a member of the band) no guarantees after the end of this year. I'm tired of the stress. I just don't want to do it anymore. Been at it over 20 years. Between the fact that all my cabs are custom built and have little resale value, and the fact everything has been fully depreciated, so the IRS would get a big chunk of anything I sell, I think I'll just keep the rig for an occasional charity gig. Getting home at 4am just doesn't appeal to me any more.

I'm spending my time singing at nursing homes. Old country and Gospel. I always leave with more than I gave. Feels good to bring joy to folks mostly forgotten.

I retired about 5 years ago from the industrial business. Believe it or not, even going fishing and playing golf every day gets old. Had to get back into it to stay sane.  :o I am keeping it smaller and simpler though.

Being retired does put life in a whole different perspective.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Tim McCulloch on April 29, 2014, 02:14:25 PM
I retired about 5 years ago from the industrial business. Believe it or not, even going fishing and playing golf every day gets old. Had to get back into it to stay sane.  :o I am keeping it smaller and simpler though.

Being retired does put life in a whole different perspective.

Yeah, you "retired" by opening a full service, retail pro audio shop.  Nothin' like a little challenge in your old age, eh?  I hope it keeps working out for you...
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Jamin Lynch on April 29, 2014, 02:27:47 PM
Yeah, you "retired" by opening a full service, retail pro audio shop.  Nothin' like a little challenge in your old age, eh?  I hope it keeps working out for you...

Holy crap...what was I thinking?  :o

A retirement home was just not for me.

2013 was my best year....ever!! Fingers crossed for 2014
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Robert Patch on April 29, 2014, 02:38:05 PM
Why would the IRS ever need to know you sold gear?

Because it's on your depreciation schedule and you have to list every year the equipment that you have depreciated and if you've sold it, report the income.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Steve Oldridge on April 29, 2014, 03:04:18 PM
Congrats on you move to the less stress more fun side.

enjoy.

I was thinking about the retirement aspect VERY HARD as I took the 3-hr drive to my gig last Sat afternoon - way out East Texas way (I live in DFW). I was playing (not doing SR), but the gig went great. We finished by 11. Tore down, loaded PA into trailer and were out of there by midnight. It was still a 3-hr drive home, so I got in around the usual time on a Sunday am. Getting too old for those kind of drives!! I love the playing, but the driving sure sux! 

It was kinda interesting watching the band leader RTA the PA for an outdoor gig.. !
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Tim McCulloch on April 29, 2014, 03:27:20 PM
I was thinking about the retirement aspect VERY HARD as I took the 3-hr drive to my gig last Sat afternoon - way out East Texas way (I live in DFW). I was playing (not doing SR), but the gig went great. We finished by 11. Tore down, loaded PA into trailer and were out of there by midnight. It was still a 3-hr drive home, so I got in around the usual time on a Sunday am. Getting too old for those kind of drives!! I love the playing, but the driving sure sux! 

It was kinda interesting watching the band leader RTA the PA for an outdoor gig.. !


Steve, perhaps you should update your thread regarding this person/practice.  I'd be interested in how the outdoor "RTA session" went and what the audible results were like.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Steve M Smith on April 29, 2014, 04:43:12 PM
I love the playing, but the driving sure sux!

I would hate that too.  Luckily, I live on an island which is only 26 miles wide - half an hour at most to get home from gigs!


Steve.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Steve Oldridge on April 29, 2014, 04:48:49 PM
I would hate that too.  Luckily, I live on an island which is only 26 miles wide - half an hour at most to get home from gigs!


Steve.

wow.. must be nice!!  The closest regular gig to my house is 38 miles.. the furthest is 82.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Bob Leonard on April 29, 2014, 05:21:30 PM
The time is coming for me faster than I want it to. 62 and the schedule is down to twice per month, and invitational gigs at that. Even that's a joke now because I figured out I'll need to supplement my income until I'm about 127 if I want to live my current life style until I go tits up.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: David Parker on April 29, 2014, 05:40:32 PM
wow.. must be nice!!  The closest regular gig to my house is 38 miles.. the furthest is 82.
my closest was 25, farthest was about 50
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Brian Charbobs on April 29, 2014, 08:16:19 PM
my closest was 25, farthest was about 50

After reading what you fulltime Sound Folks put up with I am so glad I did not do this as a job, only a hobby.
 I am having a blast doing my hobby at my leisure, no pressure, well not totally true, but I can tell them to stick it at any time, I have a whole new appreciation for what you guys pull off, that is for sure. It can be very stressful when things do not goes as planned, and you have every one breathing down your neck to fix it, and fix it now. I have been there, it is not a fun moment, but you do what you can do.
Have a great retirement and enjoy life!!
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Alex Rigodanzo on April 29, 2014, 09:26:53 PM
Because it's on your depreciation schedule and you have to list every year the equipment that you have depreciated and if you've sold it, report the income.

If you've retired, you no longer have any business income to claim, you no longer have to file income from business, just your personal tax.  At least that's how I wrapped up my DJ biz in the 90's. And then sold off all the gear after that.

Sole proprietor, dba, lost money every year for 5 years and then closed the "doors".
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Richard Turner on April 29, 2014, 09:52:26 PM
Some folks do things legit. some do the

I retired and all the inventory fell off a truck into the landfill and here the tippage fee receipt kind of thing.

Title: Re: retiring
Post by: duane massey on April 30, 2014, 01:18:03 AM
I "retired" from doing live sound 20 years ago, but I am still in the business, both as an installer/programmer/cabinet-builder/service/whatever and as a performer. Today I drove 220 miles, spent 5 hrs with a client in Louisiana cleaning up some stuff and tweaking the EQ settings on some wireless mics, as well as planning some changes/adds in the next few weeks, then turned around and drove back.
I will be 63 in 30 days. Unless I hit the lottery real retirement is not in my future. Good luck with yours, David, when it's time to step away it's time to step away.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Steve M Smith on April 30, 2014, 01:47:08 AM
Some folks do things legit. some do the

I retired and all the inventory fell off a truck into the landfill and here the tippage fee receipt kind of thing.

What happens as far as tax is concerned, if you just give it all away?


Steve.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: David Parker on April 30, 2014, 08:14:33 AM
What happens as far as tax is concerned, if you just give it all away?


Steve.
If you have depreciated it fully, then in theory it has no value. If you sell it, all that money is profit. If you give it away, well, the IRS might be interested in who you gave it to and other details.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: David Parker on April 30, 2014, 08:31:53 AM
back when I was working my day job, 4 days a week 10 hours a day, I didn't mind so much working Friday and Saturday nights. When I retired from that job, I thought I'd enjoy clubland more. It didn't work out that way. I started dreading the weekend jobs. I could still use the money, but I just don't want to do it anymore.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Kirby Yarbrough on April 30, 2014, 09:05:23 AM
I'll be 60 in October.

Congratulations on making the decision, and enjoy playing music.  I'm 62 this June, and maybe I see the writing on the wall: I just renewed my web site hosting contract for three more years instead of five.  Hmmmm.

Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Steve Oldridge on April 30, 2014, 10:36:07 AM
Congratulations on making the decision, and enjoy playing music.  I'm 62 this June, and maybe I see the writing on the wall: I just renewed my web site hosting contract for three more years instead of five.  Hmmmm.

Where is all the young talent coming from to replace folks like you and Mr. Parker (among many other who are not getting any younger). We have this same problem in my day job, where  succession planning is oft overlooked.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: David Parker on April 30, 2014, 11:12:11 AM
Where is all the young talent coming from to replace folks like you and Mr. Parker (among many other who are not getting any younger). We have this same problem in my day job, where  succession planning is oft overlooked.
I've heard some stories about issues with the younger ones replacing us. They have not learned that our business is service, and as such, you focus on pleasing the people that you serve. It's not about me. One of the clubs I worked often didn't like sound checks, and one of the younger guys replacing me insisted on running pink noise while patrons were in there eating. Then never ending tom checks. I would go in and get the band started with my saved settings and then dial everything in on the fly. Mute the mains and let them get a bit of a monitor check, then quiet again until showtime.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Steve Oldridge on April 30, 2014, 11:52:39 AM
I've heard some stories about issues with the younger ones replacing us. They have not learned that our business is service, and as such, you focus on pleasing the people that you serve. It's not about me. One of the clubs I worked often didn't like sound checks, and one of the younger guys replacing me insisted on running pink noise while patrons were in there eating. Then never ending tom checks. I would go in and get the band started with my saved settings and then dial everything in on the fly. Mute the mains and let them get a bit of a monitor check, then quiet again until showtime.

I'm not seeing many young folks doing this stuff at all, and those I do see don't seem to have much clue as to what they ARE doing.. never mind customer service.

A major DFW regional venue my band plays at (has house band Wed thru Sat) requires load-in by 4:30pm Wed, set up and sound check by 6:00pm when doors open for dinner. Band starts at 8pm Wed night. It's a house PA with house sound guy, so it's not too hard to get set up in the allotted time.  Thurs thru Sat you show up 30 mins ahead of start, power up and go. It's great.. but I have to take a 1/2 day off work Wed. 

House band also opens for any headliners - like Stoney Larue, Josh Abbott and so on. Garth Brooks was talking about showing up there.. 

But even there, the house sound guy is at least 10 yrs older than I am (50+) !!
There's no young 'uns coming up..
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Steve M Smith on April 30, 2014, 01:45:48 PM
I'm not seeing many young folks doing this stuff at all, and those I do see don't seem to have much clue as to what they ARE doing..

Well, my son is nineteen and is showing an interest in live sound.  I even bought a cheap mixer to show him how it all works.

This weekend he is doing his first proper gig, albeit voluntary, for a small, local four day music festival.  I will be there for guidance but I intend for him to do as much as possible.

And the two guys I sometimes work for, whilst not teenagers, are certainly a fair bit younger than me!


Steve.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Tommy Peel on April 30, 2014, 05:27:56 PM
I was thinking about the retirement aspect VERY HARD as I took the 3-hr drive to my gig last Sat afternoon - way out East Texas way (I live in DFW). I was playing (not doing SR), but the gig went great. We finished by 11. Tore down, loaded PA into trailer and were out of there by midnight. It was still a 3-hr drive home, so I got in around the usual time on a Sunday am. Getting too old for those kind of drives!! I love the playing, but the driving sure sux! 

It was kinda interesting watching the band leader RTA the PA for an outdoor gig.. !


Where in East Texas was it? I live/work near Tyler.  :) If you're ever in the area drop me a PM or email.
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on April 30, 2014, 10:48:24 PM
I would hate that too.  Luckily, I live on an island which is only 26 miles wide - half an hour at most to get home from gigs!


Steve.

What Island do you live on?
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Steve Oldridge on April 30, 2014, 10:59:17 PM
Where in East Texas was it? I live/work near Tyler.  :) If you're ever in the area drop me a PM or email.

Tommy,
we were playing the Wildflower Festival out in Hughes Springs..
Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Tommy Peel on April 30, 2014, 11:04:33 PM

Tommy,
we were playing the Wildflower Festival out in Hughes Springs..

Ok. I know about where that is. Have a great week!


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Title: Re: retiring
Post by: Steve Oldridge on April 30, 2014, 11:15:46 PM
Ok. I know about where that is. Have a great week!


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  Sent you pm.