by Chuck Bailey

2020 was a helluva year wasn’t it?

So much had happened… so much had changed… Musicians around the world were forced to fall silent… Techs, stage hands, live entertainment ground to a halt. We were left with our plans shattered and no time to reevaluate anything. Only the time to salvage what little money we had, wait for the apocalypse to show some semblance of relief and try to last it out. Some of us had to come to some bitter truths like live entertainment was not coming back any time soon or that we would have to sell our gear and equipment to feed our families, pay our bills, help our loved ones… you know, SURVIVE. Some of us had to come to terms with a “Day Gig” something, anything, just to get some kind of money for our living situations or to help our partners, spouses, and family. It’s an odd thing, coming face to face with a reality like that because we sacrificed so much for our art. For ourselves. For our dreams all to come crashing down.

In between all of this we suffered the world on fire, losing true icons in music, sports, cinema, and history and just when we thought it couldn’t get worse 2020 gave us the proverbial “Hold my Beer” and showed us the depths it could go. I will be the first to say for months I didn’t even want to look at my bass. Didn’t like the feel of it and I was completely uninspired. To go from playing daily and 3-5 shows a week to nothing was a freefall into unknown territory. I would go weeks at a time not even picking it up… might as well have been the treadmill we all hang clothes on. [Ed. Note- Me too.] I was so jaded and down about everything. I think we all went down that road. Musicians are a funny lot right? It doesn’t depend on what instrument you play or the stereotyped personalities that people associate with certain instruments. We all have one thing in common- Passion and the love to share it!

A lifetime ago I was in a band that was signed to a major label and I got to do some tremendous things. Played some amazing shows with amazing people and I have no regrets. Like any true romance goes I met a girl and in the midst of our relationship I found out I was going to be a dad. Everything changed for me right then. I didn’t want to be out on the road or miss my son’s milestones. Or worse, have to live them second hand from short audio and video clips. I made a decision and I stepped away from it. I remember early in my career I used to make fun of guys who played in tribute bands and cover bands all the time. “That’s not real music! You have no soul if you play covers! You aren’t a real musician if you do that.” I was young. I didn’t know how wrong I was. Truth is a lot of guys and gals join bands like that because at least it’s something! Sure original music is awesome and writing your own music brings joy and feelings that cannot be compared. I often attributed playing large shows and stages to the closest thing to sky diving without leaving the ground. What a rush (said in my best Legion of Doom voice) it was. Just looking out across crowds and seeing so many people enjoying what you do… it was and is an amazing feeling.

There is an elitist approach to music and sadly it is almost always carried by musicians. As I mentioned earlier in my story, I literally said I would rather die than play covers. Well let me tell you, life has a wonderful sense of humor my friends. I initially thought I wouldn’t regret my decision to hang it all up, but I didn’t! What wound up happening was the longing to share that passion with friends and with people became overwhelming! There is a camaraderie in music. You are completely exposed to the other musicians you play with. They see your faults, your triumphs, everything about you is personified in what you put out through your instrument. It takes a lot of trust to share that with people. You develop bonds that cannot be broken. Memories and laughs that hold a special place in your timeline of life.

I had only ever done original music so I didn’t even know what to do or expect from tribute or cover bands but my hometown, Las Vegas, was the Apex of Live Entertainment! If there was ever a chance for some kind of return to that feeling it would be getting myself out there. It started with agencies, session work, and word of mouth. Pretty soon I started having more and more people reaching out to me for work. It was amazing! I got to still play music, do what I love, entertain hundreds and thousands of people, all while still being able to go home and kiss my wife and son (soon to be sons lol…Stay busy my friends.)

When live music comes back, and it will, maybe not how it was immediately but things will turn around, shake off that elitist snobbery. Don’t dump on people for their gigs or their jams or whatever they are doing. It was hard enough to find the strength to pick up our instruments during this insanity, don’t knock down a fellow musician or let that unspoken hierarchy return. You are not “less” of a musician if you aren’t playing huge shows or festivals. It is ok that you are getting the band back together to play some seedy and shady bars. There is plenty of room for everyone! I look forward to seeing my close friends, people I consider family, getting back out on the road and doing their thing. That was their choice, their goal and everything they wanted. I love seeing people find happiness and success together. No one says we do not deserve those things in tandem. We all deserve that happiness. I made my choice years ago and I stand by it. Those times are very dear to me and I will cherish them just as we all have used those good times prior to the pandemic to see us through. That hope, that glimmer of Soon, it’s all we’ve got besides each other.

Maybe I am considered a Kayfabe (look it up… its funny) Musician. I stay in Vegas outside of random calls to go to awesome things for the most part or remote work and I am totally fine with that. For me, my family meant more and I found a way to keep music in my life and still be there for my family. Just remember, we are all trying to find some way to keep music in our lives right now and always. That passion, that spark, it becomes overwhelming. Maddening to the point it’s all we hear and feel. It’s everything.

2021 hasn’t started out all that great but the difference is it’s not 2020. We have an opportunity to change the narrative and invoke some kindness or silence in place of vitriol and judgment. There’s plenty of room on the stage my friends. Be patient. Be kind. Don’t lose hope. That feeling we have all tried to keep going. That spark of special, it’s about to roar again. Feed it with purpose and remember.

Be thankful. Be on time. Give when you can. Groove Always!

 Chuck Bailey, former bassist for Kid Deposit Triumph, session bassist, and hired gun from Las Vegas NV. I have worked on solo music, played with some amazing musicians and bands and work on bass tracks and session work in between playing shows on the Las Vegas Strip. Most recent escapades took us on the 311 Jamaican Cruise where we played with bands like RX Bandits, Chali 2na, and of course 311! Since then I have collaborated with bands like Bravo Delta, Justin Carder (check out his Song “The Wine and the Whiskey” which can be heard on Netflix original sitcom The Ranch, The Black Jacks, Singles, Anti-Gravity, All Too Familiar. Empire Records, Ddendyl Hoyt (From The Voice!) and thankfully many more! I have always been fascinated with the bass because of the typical mindset a lot of guys had for it. Like it is limited because it isn't a guitar or the epic “4 string” argument… they are all just entertaining because Bass is such a new instrument and there are amazing musicians, music and approaches being seen every day! I am just happy to be a part of it and make some new friends and some new music along the way!

Instagram- @therealchuckbailey