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Joined: Oct 2008
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speaking of retirement, here's something I'd really like to see:
Some old-timer who has a farm and can't keep it up anymore should turn it into a retirement commune.
People who want to "buy in" could sell their homes and put the money in the commune's collective fund. Everybody in the commune would be expected to work on the farm, planting, harvesting, repairing, chopping wood, milking cows etc.
It would be especially cool if the commune catered specifically to retired musicians, and the barn was used to host live music open to the public (which would also help to support the commune)
If the farm happened to be on the blue Ridge Parkway, it would probably become a tourist attraction
When the final heart attack comes, I'd rather have it while chopping firewood or baling hay than while wasting away in front of a TV in a room that smells like bleach and urine.
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I left at 54, 30 years as a firefighter. I was 'behind' a guy who was 3 yrs. my junior and the Chief Training Officer. He was unbearable. It's funny, I hadn't seen him in years and ran into him at the grocery store just this morning. Now there is a man who ostracized his family, co-workers, and friends. A true misogynist, only thing he's got is a bigger pension that I. He took 2 months a year off so I'd have to budget and do his job, but he never said a word, I'd be called to a budget submission, nothing done, and then he dumped on me later. I walked out, and management was a afraid of my going after them so they promoted me for the last 6 months and I rode out on a desk.
Still I've got a great pension, a wonderful family, and regrettably too many friends who are dying early. It's a speed bump right now, my wife is a Senior Manager and up to be a Corporate Director soon, with 7 wks vacation a year and nice bonuses.
But all the cash in the world is superfluous. I did have charge of the forensic darkroom and loved photography, no corpses please. So I've gone back into that in a big way, bought a rusty pickup truck for the dog and I, and wish my wife didn't work almost every day, and from 6:30 to 6:30 most days. (It's almost noon on Sunday and there she is again.)
Big family meal here today, 10 people, prime rib, fancy salads, and I'll bake rolls and bread too.
My Mom and Dad are 86, and my Mom gets out every Sunday to come here with my Dad. I can only give back for all they did.
Going to England and France in May, my youngest lives in Canterbury, and we will take them to France with us for a week. (Her 'beau', husband, what ever.
And in 3 weeks a week in the sun in Cuba. 3 Days in Havana. Nice cars!
Every day extra is a bonus. Still playing the organ/keyboards for Masonic meetings, but some stuff I'd like to do is on hold, too many disabilities.
I'm now 63, getting extra cash from the Canada Pension, another boost at 65.
My wife's parents own a big chunk of land 60 feet from a huge diamond drill hole with 10 years ago was called 'marginally viable open pit mine'. They would need the 'family' land. My kids may end up with quite the bonus.
My oldest lives close by, PHd in Anthropology, good for lots of discussions.
My 2nd Son is in Toronto, corporate job with Interac banking.
My 3rd Son is close by, he's a manager in a large call centre.
What I really need to do is divest myself of this big old house soon. 4 rooms I never use unless my grandson is over for the night.
The property management I was doing after retirement has slowed down. I still run one big building for a company from Niagara, but it's no work to speak of anymore, but does throw in some 'fun money'.
Every person is different. I know people who love work so much nothing else counts much. My wife is not like that, but the growth level of her company keeps them expanding, but not fast enough to keep people trained. Adding 10 fitness clubs a month over the last 20 months is taking a toll on her, she does all the management for the income side. Some may remember I owned that company, (the computerized management of fitness club members), and they still run my software for banking. I sold out in '96, and could have been well off, but my firefighting job seemed more important than programming.
You might say I sold my wife with the business. But we Skype back and forth most days.
I'm looking forward to spring, enough snow for me!
My grandson is almost 4, and to walk 3 blocks to the nature trail yesterday took an hour. I forgot that a 4 yr. old has to climb every 'mountain', flop on every pile of snow, eat some, yell "Look Papa John I'm on the mountain now!" while standing on the 4 foot pile of snow the plow pushed up. On to the next one. You can smile a lot then. And when he stood at the foot of out bed on Saturday morning at 6 a.m. with the dog, and the 2 of them ended up getting under the covers to discuss dinosaurs, why dogs sniff, what the squirrels eat and how nuts might taste, why birds don't fly up side down, and other good stuff, hey, all is well.
I think I need to write a time table and peel some spuds now, but heck the dog is sleeping on my foot, the birds are fighting at the feeder out the window, and I have emails to reply to soon.
All said, I audited another University music course this fall, and have applied to study French and History at the local university, another thing to keep my mind working hard and make me forget the crazy neuropathy that came with chemo.
Keep well, and find good stuff every day, smile, and hit the dissenters with your cane! Or threaten...;)
John Conley
Musica est vita
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I was aghast at that museum of 'American Music' on the parkway. We were there this fall, 'leaf peeping' according to the locals. Nice weather. But that building was a knock off of some Federal Gov't type, not AT ALL like I'd hoped. I wanted your thing, a barn, and have some people come. Building Codes would say (in Canada I know the US ones are close), that over 150 people in the place, fire alarm req'd. Over x number of feet, you need a sprinkler system, water supply, standpipes, and on it goes. Dry pipe system, it freezes in the winter. Wood burning, are you kidding?? Staff bathrooms, handicapped bathrooms, and on it goes. Every 30 people = one WC. (Water Closet=toilet, urinal etc.) It would make you sigh and throw up your hands. Sit on a bale of hay, and have music, great. I love it. But beware what you wish. Great idea, sorry I threw frozen water on it. I'll buy in though...pretend we are stupid. What codes???  
John Conley
Musica est vita
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I just figured it out. Take the side off the barn. Performers inside, something to reflect the sound out, bales of hay arranged in a amphitheatre. A trough out back for the men. Some moonshine for the band, we need an empty jug anyway.
Don Gaynor is in charge of the button that makes the music go round and round. And come out here.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 897 |
Great Comments...but as for me, my four wives did me in and I didn't really
have a well-planned ending to September Song.
Altho I'm single now and live in "stress-free" Cyrstal River, Fl., a far cry
from my Chi-Town existence for over 70 yrs.
I've managed to keep my head above water and my bait below, fishing in nearby
Rivers, and the Gulf..with my 17' Alumamum Canoe. Life is good, eh??
I'm a diabetic and heart patient (pacemaker now), thanks to the VA in Florida,
I'm still pretty spry for my age...the new battery is just hummin' me along the trail.
Still gig with my keyboards/guitars/synths and I'll be 79 on Feb. 22nd.
Feelin' oh so good about taking the leap from stockbroker to gunrunner/musician!
God Bless All....especially PG Music, for the many years of enjoyment!!!
Solid!! Potato Salad!!
Yamaha...Motif ES-8, Motif Rack, CS6X
Korg...Karma,Triton Classic, PA-80, M-1+
AkaiSampler-S5000, Roland.. X5080 Rack/G-1000 Arranger
Various Guitars/Basses Amps Pedals Rec.Equip.
Plus, BIAB 2015 and Sonar Platinum 2015 Upgrade from Cakewalk's Sonar X-3
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"seems like there's a growing trend .." I hope that was intentional 'cause it was funny 
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Quote:
"seems like there's a growing trend .."
I hope that was intentional 'cause it was funny
it wasn't intentional, it was just stupid. (My trademark) <--also redundant
much like saying: "corrupt politician"
(that's redundant... you already SAID he was a politician...)
or "bad cat"
more:
http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/redundancies.htm
but in this case there is some validity to combining the two words.
a TREND indicates movement in a specific direction, but does not imply the speed of movement
a GROWING TREND is picking up speed as it goes (and that's the point I hoped to make)
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 236
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 236 |
Pat,
Good luck on your retirement. My wife will be retiring at the end of the year. I would call it an early retirement as I will be 55 and she a little less. We are fortunate to have worked for an excellent company for 30+ years apiece and have the means to check out early. Having not reached that goal line quite yet, I cannot answer your questions but I am very excited and confident about our retirement years. Our decision is mostly driven by "life is short". We share many of the same interests and will be sure to fill our time.
AND I have already reserved at least 2 hours of time in the studio to practice, record, etc!!
Todd
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Well Pat, for me retirement came early out of necessity. I am now alone without my wife, family or friends and find it quite crappy.
I'd get a job if something was available that was interesting.I'd rather watch TV then work at WM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 273 |
Quote:
....Our decision is mostly driven by "life is short"....
I would second this. I retired 5 years ago, and those years just flew by! Each passing day seems to pass faster as well. Combine that phenomenon with increasingly not being able to do things (physically) that you used to, and you begin to realize that time is shorter than you think. Enjoy the things you love to do while you can still do them.
If you have the opportunity to retire early, and have the financial means to do so, GO FOR IT!
Kawai VPC1 MIDI Controller; Asus A53E Laptop running Windows 7 - 64 bit; BIAB 2017 UltraPlusPak (upgraded from 2014 EverythingPak), running from Laptop's Hard Drive.
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,334
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Joined: Jan 2013
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I'll chime in....
Many good suggestions have been offered above so no further comments on that.
I retired on 12/26/10 and have no regrets/reservations about my decision.
I was just short of 64 at that time.
I worked to live....not lived to work.
After doing the math, knowing that I could get hit by a bus tomorrow and that the government will be changing things (read: screwing it up) I decided I could do it.
I love not having to live up to anyone's work expectations anymore.
My time is my own and I have music as my creative therapy.
That said, I'm on my wife's (she's only 54) insurance policy, had SS deduct the 99$ monthly Medicare payment (doctor said to do it) and I have VA benefits as a third source which I've used on occasion.
In fact, I wrote a song on that very day of my retirement called:
"I've Got Time (I've Just Retired)" (Key of C# @ 136 bpm).
It's my very first BIAB generated tune which I just finished about a week ago but I'm not totally pleased with my lead vocal quite yet.
Should I muster some courage I may post on soundclick later.
I think the retirees here could relate to the lyrics.
Pre-hook being:
"I'm out of the trenches and gave up the grind.
Got lots of time 'cause I've just retired"
As stated above...'la vida es muy corte'.
Well...that's my take on it.
Happy Retirement to us.
Carry on....
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 01/28/13 11:07 AM.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
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-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
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- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!
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Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
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2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Holiday Weekend Hours
As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:
April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours
Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!
— Team PG
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