We should all be so lucky

[twangplank]

I was hired to play with a band that needed a lead player. They're an older band and I was told to set up by the steel player. He was an older gentleman and always tasteful on his licks and played wonderfully. I got to talk to him and he's 76 years old and used to play for Gene Watson. He still plays with 3 bands and at church.

His wife patiently watched him play and helped him load out when we were done. He was sharp as a tack and still worked as a mechanic on Gene Watsons tour bus.
I pray I'm lucky enough to be as good and active a player when I'm 76. And still be a perfect gentleman as him. His name is Glen Evans and he is my new hero lol.

[kelnet]

Sharp as a tack??

76 isn't that old.

[boneyguy]

Originally Posted by kelnet

Sharp as a tack??

76 isn't that old.

On which planet is 76 not old?

[twangplank]

Well I meant he looked sharp lol. On the other hand being 76 and still a working musician to me is impressive. He's still a sought after player. Many peoples timing seems to suffer at that age.

[kelnet]

Originally Posted by boneyguy

On which planet is 76 not old?

I said it's not "that" old. It's not so old that we should be surprised that a 76-year-old is still capable of carrying on a "sharp" conversation.
My mother-in-law is 91 and still has all her faculties. "Sharp as a tack" seems a little condescending for someone in their seventies. There are lots and lots of business leaders, politicians, professionals, and others who are leading fully active lives and careers with no diminishment of their intellectual capabilities.

[ianasdfg]

Great story twang plank, the guy's an inspiration

btw wasn't it that Les Paul was wowing audiences at 94?

[acalan]

Inspiring ,for sure.And to have your wife still come with you to hear you play. Sounds like a lucky guy

[brookdalebill]

Some guys are still happenin' till they croak!
Not many, but some.

[vtcyclist]

I agree, good for this guy. And I agree, 76 is not "old" anymore. At 76 my dad flew 200+ hrs as a pilot of Lear 35 doing radar mapping all over the world. It did not seem unusual at all to know what he was doing.

[Thorby Bislam]

I'll lookout for him if he comes over with Gene this summer.

[mickeydean]

when i was a kid coming up that's just the way country music was. age had nothing to do with it.

[ROADMAN]

76 is the new 50

[hwy145]

Originally Posted by ianasdfg

Great story twang plank, the guy's an inspiration

btw wasn't it that Les Paul was wowing audiences at 94?

Maybe, but it was common knowledge that, even les paul himself, said that he was not as sharp as he used to be, as a player. I took the "tack" comment differently, certainly not insulting...

[getbent]

awesome! i'm with you. I hope I can still make it happen at 76, but I am willing to be happy just being able to take a dump unaided at that stage.

[twangplank]

I guess I should've elaborated more on the sharp part. He was still a good looking man is what I meant.

My papaw played music until the day he died. He was in a car wreck on the way home from playing music which resulted in his death. He was 81 but his timing had failed a lot. We just endured it and hoped we lived long enough to play out of tune and time lol.

This guy hasn't faltered a bit. I'm looking forward to this next weekend when I get to play with him again. He's an ace for sure. I don't think he plays for Gene anymore. But he does still do the mechanic work on his tour bus. They are good friends though.

[sonserve]

Originally Posted by kelnet

I said it's not "that" old. It's not so old that we should be surprised that a 76-year-old is still capable of carrying on a "sharp" conversation.
My mother-in-law is 91 and still has all her faculties. "Sharp as a tack" seems a little condescending for someone in their seventies. There are lots and lots of business leaders, politicians, professionals, and others who are leading fully active lives and careers with no diminishment of their intellectual capabilities.

You know best, of course.

[sonserve]

Good on ya twangplank. May you live and play long and clean. And stay sharp as a tack!

[MickM]

Originally Posted by twangplank

I was hired to play with a band that needed a lead player. They're an older band and I was told to set up by the steel player. He was an older gentleman and always tasteful on his licks and played wonderfully. I got to talk to him and he's 76 years old and used to play for Gene Watson. He still plays with 3 bands and at church.

His wife patiently watched him play and helped him load out when we were done. He was sharp as a tack and still worked as a mechanic on Gene Watsons tour bus.
I pray I'm lucky enough to be as good and active a player when I'm 76. And still be a perfect gentleman as him. His name is Glen Evans and he is my new hero lol.

I understood exactly what you were trying to convey in the 1st post. It's always cool to meet somebody with similar interests that has traits that you admire and can aspire to if you're fortunate enough to reach their age.Or?

Which reminds me of my great grandpappy who climbed Everest without oxygen at the ripe old age 101 yrs. Upon summiting, he and his Sherpa sang some Viking songs and drank their entire supply of medicinal spirits leaving them nothing but food and water on which to survive the perilous decent. The Sherpa, "WC" was in a most foul disposition for the entire downward trek. In his later years however he always told the tale as an amusing anecdote.

[kelnet]

Originally Posted by sonserve

You know best, of course.

Now that's really sharp for someone of your advanced years. Tack-like, I tell you. Tack-like.

[elihu]

Ah, internet conversations...where cleverness is like seasoning on a meal. Unfortunately many a meal is spoiled by too much spice.

Great story Twangplank. Before my son's diagnosis i played in a local country band with a steel player who was in his nineties. He had a late 40's Fender doubleneck (he'd bought it new!)-the kind where three metal legs screwed into the bottom-and everything sounded like Hank Williams 1951. TJ had forgotten more songs than i knew and i always looked forward to talking to him in between sets-he had great stories and was a very humble cat. Funny how the good ones never have to prove anything because their lives and music do the talkin'. Unfortunately he passed away last year...got caught up in the vortex of the healthcare system. He had a tumor removed and due to weakness from his hospital stay got sent to rehab for strengthening where he promptly caught an infection and died.

And i thing you're right on in your appreciation. Most folks never make it to their 70's with their sense of purpose and their ability to pursue it intact. Glen is definitely in the minority.

I'd love to meet him.