I’m developing a business plan to finally capitalize on this dang pandemic. It won’t rival Amazon, UPS, Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc, but will provide some strong stimulus for me and a few of my friends. My plan is targeted at a niche market and by design it will only have a short business life. The idea is to corner an underserved market for about 3-4 months.
What am I talking about, you’re probably thinking? Is he going off on one of his tequila fueled flights of fantasy? Nope, there is no tequila involved and this time I’m just following the science.
My proposal is to form a bluegrass band of players over 65. This isn’t just to accommodate older players including myself but rather to take advantage of our priority in getting vaccinated.
That’s correct, we double dosed protected pickers can form a band, rehearse and, here’s the kicker get gigs as we will be the only safe game in town until the fall, heck maybe longer if they don’t get this vaccine stuff under control.
The window is short, but for me and my elder second shot brethren it can be a great opportunity. We’re too old (mature if you prefer) for a long haul tour but a 3 or 4 month push would be just about right amount of time for us to have some picking fun before the rest of the younger pickers get dosed.
My research indicates that by mid-march, we will have a quorum and can start rehearsing without fear of getting the plague. I figure we can cover all the instruments and have some back-up players on most instruments which we may need as we are by definition senior citizens and… you know as they say, you can never have too many banjos.
Wait, what did I just say? Has the euphoria of contemplating playing in a band and getting gigs warped my thinking or maybe I have been dabbling with my tequila stash as I write this. One banjo is certainly plenty.
If we get stuck for players, we could also recruit a couple of vaccinated essential workers into the mix particularly if they are good pickers or singers.
I’m thinking this is going to work. I going to start on press and promotional materials now so we can be ready right out of the gate. Publicity photos could be more difficult as we will need to wait until our immunity kicks in to be able to get to a barber shop or salon for a haircut before taking the band photo.
As far as repertoire goes, I had been jamming with these old dudes and mature ladies until the stuff hit the fan in March so pulling together a couple of sets should be a piece of cake.
For a band name, as the title suggests, I’m proposing The Double Dose Bluegrass Band. I like this as it incorporates our business premise of being safe and vaccinated into the name.
Also, we could probably form an old-time band as well except for the fact that we are a way a ways from contra or square dances. How about the Protected Pickers Stringband for a name?
I thought I was through with “minding mice” routine , you know herding a band through rehearsals and gigs but this last year of sheltered living has maybe changed my perspective and the unique opportunity the funky vaccine rollout has offered seems to be enough to bring me out of retirement. I’ll need to petition the powers that be to reinstate my semi-amateur status.
So, I’m looking for some input from all you wise readers. What do you think? Can a handful of AARP members pull off this plan? Inquiring minds want to know.
I’ll be heading for my tequila stash while I wait for your input. Catch you in March to review the plan or to promote our schedule of gigs.
