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Thread: Earning a living

  1. #1

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    Default Earning a living

    For those of us who are not professional drummers in regards to touring and making big money playing, what do you do for a living to help pay the bills other than drumming?

    Me?

    I'm the sports editor for a weekly newspaper. Sports and drumming have always been my passions, and I'm lucky to get to work in doing both!
    Six Piece Mapex Saturn V, Five Piece DW Performance Series, NOS Slingerland Snares, Centent Ardor and Emperor Cymbals


  2. #2

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    I owned my own Masonry Construction so made lots of money and retired at 50 in 2002 and never regretted it. I play my drums whenever I have time which is limited these days with outside projects going on.

  3. #3

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    I'm the product specialist for a composite decking and accessories line called Deckorators.
    I work for a company called Universal Forest Product.

    I play with wood all day long... and yes we make lots of jokes

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by SpazApproved View Post
    I'm the product specialist for a composite decking and accessories line called Deckorators.
    I work for a company called Universal Forest Product.
    I play with wood all day long... and yes we make lots of jokes
    Zach, I was under the impression that you worked in a music store and also gave drum lessons.

  5. #5

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    It appears that Gilles and I had the right idea. I "retired" in 2005 from R&R but played in a trio (basically a lounge thing) with a Casio and a upright bass. After playing in R&R bands since 1961, it was nice to not have Marshall stacks doing wonderful things for my hearing, and playing with brushes (sweeping) 95% of the time for a couple of years.

    Now, in 2017, I couldn't tell you who are the big names in music because I could care less (I could care more than less, but it appears there is no such thing). I listen (in my car) to a great oldies station out of Charlotte that plays songs mainly from the '60's and '70's. Songs that you can actually understand the lyrics to and the singers don't sound like they are being strangled with piano wire. I do admit to liking Halestorm, and I watch Davikah. Her drumming surpasses a lot of drummers that have been playing for 20 years. (She's been at it for a little over 5 years............................................. amazing)

    Zack, you wouldn't need 2 jobs if you didn't use up drum sticks at a rate faster than any drummer known to man and are the envy of beavers everywhere.

    "I play with wood all day long... and yes we make lots of jokes ". Jeez, I'm shocked.

  6. #6

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    I am the entire IT department for a local credit union with 9 branches as far away as 3 hours from my branch/office. Those are the long days when I travel. lol


    This is the staging place for when I order gear and it shows up. Muaahahahahaha
    Signature here

  7. #7

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    I'm the southeastern sales manager for a chemical manufacturing company. I work for the floor care and Jan-San division. Basically I sell floor finishes and cleaning chemicals.

  8. #8

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    I'm currently in university pursuing a career in dentistry. Specifically as an orthodontist. I play the drums when I have the time or when nobody else is in the house.
    Last edited by FlyByNight; 07-11-2017 at 12:35 AM.
    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    There is intelligent life out there. The problem is that there isn't any here.

    -Mike

  9. #9

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    Retired refinery operations manager, purchased a 45' motor home and have been on the road for a year....

    Jim
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  10. #10

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    I have a background in mechanical engineering and have worked in Industrial Distribution (bearings, chain, gearing, lubrication....basically Grainger type stuff) for 25+ years. Been everything from the floor sweeper/delivery driver to mid-management to Sales, to a material handling systems project engineer. Currently working in a territory outside sales position, but I'm in negotiations this week to go back as an abnormally high paid (for the position) inside sales/customer service rep. I'm tired of traveling 200+ miles per day and dealing with the salesman stress. I'm too old and the industry has headed more toward low-profit contract pricing and away from service and knowledge. I just want to show up at 8AM every Mon thru Fri morning, sit at a desk, do my job and go home at 5. At least for a while.
    -Brian

    "Too many crappy used drum stuff to list"

    Play the SONG......not the DRUMS!!!

    "I think that feeling is a lot more important than technique. It's all very well doing a triple paradiddle - but who's going to know you've done it? If you play technically you sound like everybody else. It's being original that counts." ~ John Bonham

  11. #11

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    Software Engineer. Been at it for about 35 years now. Used to have my own Consulting Company back in the 80s/90s through which I had the good fortune of working on a lot of high profile projects for fortune 500s. Came in off the road and took a permanent lead developer/architect position at a local Independent Software Vendor in '97 to spend more time with family and watch the kids grow up. Left there in '09 for my current job where I am currently in the process of winding down out of IT, trading the big city rat race for peace and quiet in a secluded rural community not far from where I was born and raised, and transitioning into teaching Computer Science and/or Programming in the secondary school system ...
    Last edited by dangermoney; 07-11-2017 at 09:02 PM.

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by rickthedrummer View Post
    It appears that Gilles and I had the right idea. I "retired" in 2005 from R&R but played in a trio (basically a lounge thing) with a Casio and a upright bass. After playing in R&R bands since 1961, it was nice to not have Marshall stacks doing wonderful things for my hearing, and playing with brushes (sweeping) 95% of the time for a couple of years.

    Now, in 2017, I couldn't tell you who are the big names in music because I could care less (I could care more than less, but it appears there is no such thing). I listen (in my car) to a great oldies station out of Charlotte that plays songs mainly from the '60's and '70's. Songs that you can actually understand the lyrics to and the singers don't sound like they are being strangled with piano wire. I do admit to liking Halestorm, and I watch Davikah. Her drumming surpasses a lot of drummers that have been playing for 20 years. (She's been at it for a little over 5 years............................................. amazing)

    Zack, you wouldn't need 2 jobs if you didn't use up drum sticks at a rate faster than any drummer known to man and are the envy of beavers everywhere.

    "I play with wood all day long... and yes we make lots of jokes ". Jeez, I'm shocked.
    I am with you Rick I don't listen to the music of today. I have my channels set to the 60's-70's on my Sirius satellite radio in my car. It is a joy to listen to the older tunes when cruising and singing along with the wife. What I like about Sirius is that it shows the names of the song, artist and year. Which sometimes surprises me when I think it is a certain band playing and look at the monitor and it a different but sounds the same. lol I feel like I am back in my teenage years until I look in the mirror and see some old long grey haired man lol

  13. #13

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    I noticed a lot of well educated drummers here who have degrees in Engineering etc. I have a grade 10 education and worked very hard using my muscles more than my brain lol I have done well in the construction industry. Never took holidays trips etc always banked my money for emergency of which I never used and a few good investments and that is why I retired so young. I started my old age pension last year which is a bonus. Life is good financially and some might envy me but that is life and worked hard to achieve it. Always think ahead, plan for the future and it will pay off no matter what your job is .
    Last edited by Pearl MCX Man; 07-11-2017 at 07:16 AM.

  14. #14

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    VP of Sales for a medical device company. I spend all my money.

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by Pearl MCX Man View Post
    Zach, I was under the impression that you worked in a music store and also gave drum lessons.
    I do teach at a music store which by technicality makes me an employee there. But I don't "work" behind the counter ever. But I technically could sell anything I want and get commission. But this is just a place I work 3 times a week for extra money and I love teaching music.

    My full time mon-fri job is in sales for a company called Universal Forest Products.

    I have a degree in Graphic Design with a double minor in Percussion Performance and Multimedia.

  16. #16

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    wow Spaz plus you work on cars some too.
    Conrad

  17. #17

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    I have a BA in blondes. They cost me more $ than I made. I also have a AA in scotch. It only took me 2 years to figure that 1 out. Actually right after the 1st class on my 1st day, I pretty much had that 1 worked out. I spent the next 2 years figuring out whether to have 2, 3, or4 fingers of scotch and what would be the appropriate amount of ice for 2, 3, or 4 fingers. I had a 4.0 GPA in scotch, but a 1.6 in blondes. I spent too much time looking at them and not enough time figuring them out. The homework was fun but it was kind of like being a pilot. They don't get paid to fly them, they get paid to take off and to land them. You have to think about that for a while, then marry a brunette.

    I had a course on how not to work a relationship. Got a 4.5 on that. The professor said that he learned things from me that he didn't think were possible. College was great, I think. It appears I spent more time with scotch and a blonde instead of going to the library and studying how to get to there from here. That presents a problem because I was never there, I was always here. Even when I wanted to be there, I was always here. In fact I'm here right now trying to figure out how to get there, but I don't know where there is, only where it was.

    I was here 1 day, and a friend asked me why was I over there. I told him I can't be there because I'm here. He said to come over here to where he was, but I was already here.

    Does anyone here know who's on 1st?????

  18. #18

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    I work in Global Revenue Planning for a large Tier 1 auto supplier. I have been in the car business at the OEM level and supplier level for over 20 years.
    Gretsch USA Custom 22x18, 12x9, 13x10, 14x14, 16x16, 14x5.5 Rosewood Zildjian 14" New Beats, Zildjian 20" A Medium Ride, Sabian 18" Paragon Crash, Zildjian 16" Medium Thin Crash Tama Iron Cobra Single Pedal

    Pearl Masters Studio Birch (MBX) 22x16, 10x10, 12x10, 13x11, 16x16, 14x6.5 in White Mist. Zildjian A Custom Hats, Sabian 22 AA with Rivets, Stagg 20" Ghengis Ride, Dream Contact Crashes 16" & 17" Pearl P2002B Double Bass Pedal

  19. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by CB700 View Post
    wow Spaz plus you work on cars some too.
    And on the small free time I use to build engines. lol My car on that note is up and running after two years. Last week Tuesday on 4th July holiday I started at 8am and pulled the engine, rebuilt it, and put it back in and got her running before midnight. Was a long day but she's driving after 2 years! woot

  20. #20

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    I retired from the Army in 2008 after 22 and a half years........................now I work for them as a civilian and train shooters.

    I guess if you hang around long enough, they assume you know what you're doing!

    The only other job I've ever had was a paper route.

  21. #21

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    I was a mainframe programmer for 20 years and when they decommissioned the mainframe, they threw me into web development and I have been doing that for the past 5 years.
    Take care and seeya!

    Jim

  22. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by longgun View Post
    I retired from the Army in 2008 after 22 and a half years.....

    The only other job I've ever had was a paper route.
    Many thanks for your dedicated service. I, too, was a paper route rat.
    Signature here

  23. #23

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bish View Post
    Many thanks for your dedicated service. I, too, was a paper route rat.
    Paper route from 10-16 years old. Bought my first car myself at 16 from all the collection money I had saved (and Christmas tips).
    Gretsch USA Custom 22x18, 12x9, 13x10, 14x14, 16x16, 14x5.5 Rosewood Zildjian 14" New Beats, Zildjian 20" A Medium Ride, Sabian 18" Paragon Crash, Zildjian 16" Medium Thin Crash Tama Iron Cobra Single Pedal

    Pearl Masters Studio Birch (MBX) 22x16, 10x10, 12x10, 13x11, 16x16, 14x6.5 in White Mist. Zildjian A Custom Hats, Sabian 22 AA with Rivets, Stagg 20" Ghengis Ride, Dream Contact Crashes 16" & 17" Pearl P2002B Double Bass Pedal

  24. #24

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    I work at a boat dock on a small isle in The Bahamas.

    I drive boats. I service boats. I gas up boats. I wash boats.

    My favorite is putting tourists from every corner of Earth into boats and showing them how to operate a boat. Then I get to watch the strange and bizarre things that people do in boats that know little about boats.

    I also provide snorkeling gear, coolers and ice.

    As anyone knows, when people go out for a day of partying in a boat they wear very little attire. The scenery on the dock is always exciting and refreshing. It's hard work and very very hot. First job I've ever had that I can be barefooted all day.

    The fringe benefits are... tips that often exceed my normal pay, no income taxes, and of course cold beer.

    I realize, compared to many members here, I don't have that great of a job, but mostly it's all about dealing with happy people all day and ensuring that they have fun on the beautiful waters here.

    I'm right in my element!

    all the best...
    Last edited by kay-gee; 07-12-2017 at 03:47 PM.

  25. #25

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    Quote Originally Posted by kay-gee View Post
    I work at a boat dock on a small isle in The Bahamas.

    I drive boats. I service boats. I gas up boats. I wash boats.

    My favorite is putting tourists from every corner of Earth into boats and showing them how to operate a boat. Then I get to watch the strange and bizarre things that people do in boats that know little about boats.

    I also provide snorkeling gear, coolers and ice.

    As anyone knows, when people go out for a day of partying in a boat they wear very little attire. The scenery on the dock is always exciting and refreshing. It's hard work and very very hot. First job I've ever had that I can be barefooted all day.

    The fringe benefits are... tips that often exceed my normal pay, no income taxes, and of course cold beer.

    I realize, compared to many members here, I don't have that great of a job, but mostly it's all about dealing with happy people all day and ensuring that they have fun on the beautiful waters here.

    I'm right in my element!

    all the best...
    From all I read so far, I think You have the best job!. . . . .Hands down!

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