I was thinking about this the other day... It's sometimes helpful if we know who we're talking to, so just as a matter of curiosity, I was wondering "who" our membership is. How many "pro" players, how many intermediates, and how many new players, and who are they?

So how about a questionnaire?

How old are you (range)?
How long have you been playing guitar (range)?
What style(s) do you play?
Do you play other instruments? Which ones?
Are you in a band (or have you been)?
Do you play (or have you ever played) professionally (full time)?
If so, at what level (clubs, concerts in support of a major label release, etc)?
At what level do you primarily gig now (large concerts, corporate events\festivals, clubs, weddings, bar mitzvahs, house parties)?
How often do you play live?

I'll start:

How old are you (range)?
Chronologically 52, mentally 25.

How long have you been playing guitar (range)?
About 45 years.

What style(s) do you play?
Primarily rock\hard rock and NWOBHM, but I've also played blues, jazz, country, disco, funk, and pop/top 40.

Do you play other instruments?
Yes

Which ones?
Bass, drums, some keys. I also sing lead (baritone with some tenor range).

Are you in a band (or have you been)?
Yes. About 5 presently - a '70s disco band, a Chicago tribute, an Etta James tribute, and a couple of weekend top-40 bands. I also do a lot of freelance\sit-in work - I seem to be the guy people call when they need a sub for guitar, bass, or drums.

Do you play (or have you ever played) professionally (full time)?
You betcha.

If so, at what level (clubs, concerts in support of a major label release, etc)?
Concerts supporting major label albums, though the majority of that was in the mid-late '80s.

At what level do you primarily gig now (large concerts, corporate events\festivals, worship, clubs, cruise ships, weddings, bar mitzvahs, house parties)?
All of the above . Mosly clubs and corporate gigs now, but every so often something bigger comes up. For example, I'm flying to Germany in July to play the Headbanger's Open Air festival.

How often do you play live?
Two years ago, I was down from every night to only 4 or 5 nights a week. But times have changed and clubs don't want to pay enough, so I only play a few times a month now. That said, the summer festival season is upon us, so the disco, Chicago, and Etta bands will be working a ton.