Just because you are over 30 (or over 40) doesn’t mean you can’t make money with your music. With so many Baby Boomers now in that age group, and the ever changing job climate, some are daring to try things they wanted to when they were younger, and many are “making it” in this difficult field, in spite of the age handicap. Many don’t see it as a handicap at all, but now find themselves able to pay for equipment and studio time, and have a solid financial position to work from, as well as time, especially if the children are grown and the bills under control. These are conditions that don’t exist for many when they are younger, and middle age finds them able to try the fun fields they always wanted to work in, at least on a part-time basis. The important thing is to think positively, but realistically at what is available for your age group, and give it a try. Here are a few paths you might look down—see if any are a good fit for you.
POPULAR SONGWRITING
Don’t laugh—it’s happened. Country music is full of tales of stars who didn’t get started until they were over 30, so feel free to take your best shot. Pop, Blues and Jazz, as well as Adult Oriented Rock and Adult Alternative also get the occasional newcomer who is out of his or her 20s. You may have real barriers if you try to get started in Hip-Hop, Heavy Metal or Hard Rock, but that isn’t out of the question, either, if your music is good. Electronica can be fun, too, especially if you really love the dance craze, and don’t mind being a DJ at local dance clubs or raves. Many newer groups are open to songs written by someone outside the band, too, so, if you aren’t a performer, you may just try writing the best material you can and shopping it around to the artists in your genre in your area. Here in Austin, a few older songwriters made a bit of money writing for Stevie Ray Vaughn, and still write for some of the local rock groups, while honing those tunes themselves in public with their own groups. Folk is extremely easy to get into, if you are willing to “pay your dues” at the coffee house open mic circuit until you get those offers to play for actual paying gigs. Many of these, as they get older, find themselves as opening acts for all sorts of other music acts—some of which aren’t even in the same genre—folk opening for rock acts, and so forth. Age doesn’t seem to matter in Folk, Country or Jazz, so those are always good genres to at least get your feet wet in, and you can always try to change your sound later if you get any success in one of these fields, first.
