Am I a "Blues Lawyer"?

[herb]

"Blues Lawyer". I've seen this term tossed around the internet for years and never stopped to think about what it meant until recently. It appears that if you are an aging guitar player with good gear and have never made it professionally in music, then you are a Blues Lawyer. Am I correct?

If so, that's me.

Although never a lawyer, or even an attorney, I was a successful skilled tradesman that made pretty good money in my day. Not live in a mansion and drive a fancy car successful, but now in retirement doing just fine and am set up financially until the day I die successful.

I've played a musical instrument since I was 10 years old and have stuck with music as my main hobby and passion all of my life. I've taken serious music lessons in my late teens and early 20's, have done home independent study all of my life when I found the time, plus played with bands and in organized jams off and on since starting. At almost 68 my friends and family that have heard me play are always quite impressed at my skills as a musician. All this time while making a living working my ass off in a job that I really don't care for like most anyone else.

When I started out I didn't have the greatest gear but did own some nice vintage pieces while in my 20's before vintage meant anything. I regretfully sold most of my vintage pieces beginning in the early 80's but have consistently sold, traded and bought gear throughout the years, always trying to improve or update my collection. I am now sitting on about 15 guitars and 10 amps and a roomful of recording gear that is all getting a lot of use in retirement. All this stuff I would consider to be "professional gear".

So, what's your opinion? Am I a Blues Lawyer? Are you a Blues Lawyer? What is your definition of a Blues Lawyer?

 

[jb_abides]

Ask @Fried okra what he thinks... he's the 'Blues Lawyer' poster child:

What is a "blues lawyer"? The sad future that awaits you. - Killer Guitar Rigs

What does "blues lawyer" mean, and why did I wake up on my 40th birthday with a Joe Bonamassa album under my pillow?

killerguitarrigs.com

Screw those that throw around term in anything by wry self-deprecating humor, screw any 'journo' organs for using it for clickbait. Go peddle this mindset on Harmony Central. Wait... where?

For me this is all noise and nonsense. An extension or proliferation of the Monster / Lawyer / Doctor Top mindset to encompass all aspects.... the parasitic mind.

From seeds of hate and 'Hey Jealousy' rambling, wallowing in class struggle oppression BS. Which stems from a society of abundance lacking any gratitude or appreciation of hard work.

Working professionals, well-off, hard-working businessmen, and dedicated, savvy tradespeople .. all can exist as a hobbyist and get primo gear. And they exist in every facet of life. Golfers have pro gear, they even have 'venues' i.e. country clubs / golf courses to 'gig' with...

And 'So, What?' The argument that market dynamics raise prices of gear for the 'worthy'? Total crap. Next generation cheaper, better would not happen without a market. You might not get anything without a market.

Go get what you want, and play what you like. F the noise.

PS - is it Blues Lawyer or Rock N Roll Lawyer? Is there a difference? There may be a thread for that, Sister!

 

[Pat Boyack]

"Blues Lawyer". I've seen this term tossed around the internet for years and never stopped to think about what it meant until recently. It appears that if you are an aging guitar player with good gear and have never made it professionally in music, then you are a Blues Lawyer. Am I correct?

If so, that's me.

Although never a lawyer, or even an attorney, I was a successful skilled tradesman that made pretty good money in my day. Not live in a mansion and drive a fancy car successful, but now in retirement doing just fine and am set up financially until the day I die successful.

I've played a musical instrument since I was 10 years old and have stuck with music as my main hobby and passion all of my life. I've taken serious music lessons in my late teens and early 20's, have done home independent study all of my life when I found the time, plus played with bands and in organized jams off and on since starting. At almost 68 my friends and family that have heard me play are always quite impressed at my skills as a musician. All this time while making a living working my ass off in a job they really don't care for like most anyone else.

When I started out I didn't have the greatest gear but did own some nice vintage pieces while in my 20's before vintage meant anything. I regretfully sold most of my vintage pieces beginning in the early 80's but have consistently sold, traded and bought gear throughout the years, always trying to improve or update my collection. I am now sitting on about 15 guitars and 10 amps and a roomful of recording gear that is all getting a lot of use in retirement. All this stuff I would consider to be "professional gear".

So, what's your opinion? Am I a Blues Lawyer? Are you a Blues Lawyer? What is your definition of a Blues Lawyer?

Sounds to me like you have always been out there playing gigs and being active in music while making a living with a full time job. That is 99% of us out there.

For me a Blues Lawyer is a guy who was very limited in music most of their lives but then decides all the sudden to dive into it acting like they know more than me or any other person. A Hawaiian/bowling shirt also seems to be the chosen stagewear along with a vintage Strat and/or Custom shop Fender newly acquired. That is a Blues Lawyer.

You are not a Bluee Lawyer.

 

[jb_abides]

Affluent White Man Enjoys, Causes The Blues

HIGHLAND PARK, IL–Steve Smalls, a senior vice-president at Chicago's Alliance Manufacturing, the world's largest producer of industrial refrigeration systems, is a self-described "blues nut."

www.theonion.com

"Blues music is all about pain: It's about losing your job, your dog dying, and your woman leaving you for another man," he continued. "Listening to the blues, I can almost imagine what it would be like to experience one of those things."

 

[CptFnMarvelous]

The blues lawyer might be me! Played lots through my teens and twenties with a few different group arrangements.

First guitar was a Kramer striker played through a tube amp that said "reverb" on it. Had a Washburn, a Jackson. A bunch. I used to trade with the pawnshop. Always wanted a Les Paul after getting to play a guy's at a multi-band community centre show. And later while jamming in a piano shop. Lol

Long story short, knocked up my gal. Got jobs... Went back to school, got married... Life... My guitar disappeared into the ether.

Played maybe twice with and for people in the past 25 years. Just pick up stuff at parties. Always in the back of my mind though.

Anyways, had a little extra cash I was going to give to the tax man but my wife (who was a fan back in the day) suggested I get a guitar again.

I got three, all the pedals I ever wanted, some cool amps. All of the stuff I looked at in magazines back then.

Found a singer and a drummer, played battle of the bar bands (George Thorogood -get a hair cut). Currently clearing out the garage for jam space.

Anyways, I am still lawyering away (getting guys out of jail) but seriously looking to get back into playing with a bunch of guys.

I have no hopes or ambition to put out an album or anything, just like to get people fired up. Blues lawyer?

 

[jb_abides]

Anyways, had a little extra cash I was going to give to the tax man but my wife (who was a fan back in the day) suggested I get a guitar again.

Great story, don't forget to thank the wife... again!

 

[goldtop0]

Not a lawyer but a music aficionado and equipment lover/devotee(was born in the early '50s), a year older than you herb. Have wide knowledge of and lived the genres, the gear, the vibe, the fantastic times, a player and a stayer over the decades who can't get past the 50s/60s and some of the '70s stuff.
Rock'n'Roll will never die.........keep on truckin' fellas

 

[Iguana]

Turn your amps up louder and you won’t be able to hear the noise they’re makin’.

 

[gmann]

Sounds to me like you have always been out there playing gigs and being active in music while making a living with a full time job. That is 99% of us out there.

For me a Blues Lawyer is a guy who was very limited in music most of their lives but then decides all the sudden to dive into it acting like they know more than me or any other person. A Hawaiian/bowling shirt also seems to be the chosen stagewear along with a vintage Strat and/or Custom shop Fender newly acquired. That is a Blues Lawyer.

You are not a Bluee Lawyer.

Don’t forget the hat!

 

[renderit]

I must be a "Blues flunked the bar 27 times" wanna be.

I look horrid in a Hawaiian shirt.

Have more of a taste for really remote brewery gear...

I also don't usually wear a hat.

I DO however carry a croquet mallet to keeps the groupies away.

 

[corpse]

Def not there money wise- but i do not have ONE SINGLE IOTA of musical talent. I have played for over 40 years but could not prove it in a court of law. That said- one of the most vicious mind sets i have seen "around" is "He doesn't deserve" this or that. Or "I believe he/she/them/Zhi doesn't love this enough".
Try and shake that.
Try and find reasons to like people.
You'll sleep better.

 

[rialcnis]

Me, spending the next two hours, looking at "Blues Lawyer" Instagram memes for the first time.

 

[garywright]

Charlie D is the true Blues Lawyer 👍

 

[Bamarado]

I really feel like the only people that unironically use the term "blues lawyer" are people that get mad when they see people with better jobs, better gear, and most likely better players than them. The internet seems to be full of people that think that someone can't simultaneously be successful and have spent the last few decades of their lives playing just as much music as they have.

 

[rialcnis]

Imagine all the frustrated small, digital producers, stuck with all those no good computers and sampled sounds and fake drums etc. . and sound cards with no supported drivers., trying to replicate Boi bands

 

[jb_abides]

Don’t forget the hat!

Always a small brim... Trilby.

Is Marty a lawyer? Tim Pierce? [j/k love those guys, too]

 

[jb_abides]

Try and find reasons to like people.
You'll sleep better.

100% agree!

That and Don't GiveAF are not mutually exclusive, and often symbiotic.

 

[herb]

"Blues music is all about pain: It's about losing your job, your dog dying, and your woman leaving you for another man," he continued. "Listening to the blues, I can almost imagine what it would be like to experience one of those things."

Thanks for your input everyone. I always suspected it was jealousy that sparked the name calling. I admit a lot of things that I read or hear on the internet through the years have taken me by surprise. I just don't hang out at the forums and the YouTube that much so never knew if this train of thought was taken too seriously. Through your responses I now understand it's not.

Too bad there are people, as few as they are, that try to build themselves up by trying to knock others down.

 

[jb_abides]

Thanks for your input everyone. I always suspected it was jealousy that sparked the name calling. I admit a lot of things that I read or hear on the internet through the years have taken me by surprise. I just don't hang out at the forums and the YouTube that much so never knew if this train of thought was taken too seriously. Through your responses I now understand it's not.

Too bad there are people, as few as they are, that try to build themselves up by trying to knock others down.

Amen.

 

[Doc Sausage]

Charlie D is the true Blues Lawyer 👍

I was just thinking that too. I wonder if he’s offended?😂