Middle-Age(d) Musician

Today we're celebrating the late bloomers, the musicians who prove there's no expiration date on a dream.

The MiddleAgeMusician ai update.

A stunning cruise-ship performance reveals the quiet brilliance of under-the-radar talent. In this episode of Hidden Stages, we celebrate the world-class voices who light up stages most people never see—and why some of the best singers you’ll ever hear work far from the spotlight.

In this episode, I explore whether AI can actually create a song that people would enjoy. I start with a simple experiment: I ask listeners to hear a song without knowing anything about how it was made. Only after they've listened do I reveal that about 80–90% of the song was created using artificial intelligence.

I hate to admit this but, I'm a bona-fide concert snob. As a musician, why can't I just attend and enjoy.....even if I had to pay??

This really hit home when I was at a show recently and was sitting in the artist circle section.  Almost everyone else was a guest of the headliner who, if I mentioned his name, you would know immediately.  In the section were several musicians, songwriters (for the artist) and at least three well-known, touring artists. As I sat there among the "semi-royalty". (ha), I took particular notice of an artist who was getting shout outs from the stage during the pre-show and of course everyone was noticing him.  I'd had some time to quick chat with him and his wife but acumen dictates that you allow them to enjoy the show and not be a germ.  At some point during the concert, I realized he was really into the music. He was smiling, clapping, standing, and cheering just like the rest of us....except me....  I eventually loosened up and just allowed myself to enjoy.  I'm going to make a more concerted effort to do this from now own. 

Robert Earl Keen’s The Greatest Christmas Show on Earth felt less like a concert and more like a shared tradition between the artist and his loyal fans. The circus-themed holiday show featured crowd favorites like “Feeling Good Again,” “Gringo Honeymoon,” and “Merry Christmas from the Family,” with the audience singing along to every word.Despite visible back issues and performing seated throughout the night, Keen still sounded authentically like himself — something that stood out compared to many aging performers. The band was tight and energetic, with mandolin player Kym Warner delivering some of the night’s best musical moments.While the show wasn’t a life-changing experience, it was fun, nostalgic, and full of personality — a relaxed evening of great songs, strong musicianship, and fans who clearly loved every minute of it.

This week, we're talking about one of the best concert experiences I've had in a long time — Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. From the moment he walked out to the final encore of If I Had a Boat, it was a masterclass in live music done right.

The bonus? Legendary sidemen Lee Sklar and Russ Kunkel were on that stage — bass and drums respectively — two guys who've been playing together for 50+ years, going all the way back to James Taylor's Fire and Rain. I even got to meet Lee after the show at a book signing. Incredibly kind, incredibly humble.

Lyle's vocals were strong, the band was tight, and the whole evening had this warm, family-dinner vibe — he took time to chat with nearly every band member on stage, which was something I'd never seen quite like that before. And it wasn't just the hits that landed. My wife's favorite of the night? A song about his twins declaring a naked party on the tour bus. You can't make that stuff up.

If Lyle Lovett is coming to a town near you, go. Take your family. Spend the money. You won't regret it.

I went to see Robert Earl Keen last December during one of the extended stops on what felt like his never-ending Christmas tour. Keen delivered exactly what longtime fans expect: that classic, storytelling Texas country vibe that’s warm, witty, and thoroughly enjoyable. But if I’m being honest, the real revelation of the night wasn’t the headliner—it was his opening act, John R Miller.

In this episode of the *Middle Aged Musician* podcast, I broadcast from Nashville, Tennessee, briefly sharing my observations from the local music scene before diving into the main topic: the life of musicians working on cruise ships. I cover the audition process, contract details, daily schedules, and the pros and cons of life at sea, including travel perks, camaraderie, and steady pay versus isolation, repetition, and cramped living conditions. I wrap up the episode with practical tips for musicians considering cruise ship gigs.

"Picture this: I’m standing on the deck of a Princess cruise ship, the warm ocean breeze in my face, the sun setting over the horizon, and suddenly... the beat drops.

From the lounge behind me comes this incredible sound — tight guitars, killer drums, and voices that hit every note perfectly. I turn around and there’s a full Filipino cover band absolutely crushing it. They’re not just playing the hits... they’re owning them.

From classic rock to current pop, from soulful ballads to high-energy dance tracks, these guys are delivering a show that’s every bit as good as anything you’d see on land — maybe even better, because you’re floating in the middle of the ocean with a drink in your hand.

I stopped in my tracks, smiled, and thought, 'This is why I cruise.'

Welcome back to the podcast, everyone. Today we’re talking about those unexpected little magic moments that make travel unforgettable — and how a fantastic Filipino cover band on a Princess cruise ship turned an ordinary evening into something special.

Let’s dive in..."