Midlife Crisis? Live the Dream!
Having a midlife crisis? If you’re a baby boomer, you’re right at the perfect age. Mike Hooks had one, and came up with one fine way to get through it: live the dream.
In my youth, I dreamed of being the fifth Beatle. Apparently though, Paul lost my phone number, so I settled for playing in an assortment of local Rock ‘n Roll bands. Then came the wife, the kids, the mortgage, and all that fun responsible stuff which led me to a career in the financial and insurance industry.
Thirty years later, I couldn’t shake the memory of the thrill I felt, playing and performing, so I decided to take action. Instead of buying a Harley, getting a hair transplant, or trading the wife in on a younger model, I decided to record an album. I jumped into this just for fun, and if I sold only one CD to someone other than my family and friends, I would consider it a success.
The next year was spent writing the songs. My intention was to record a “Rock ‘n Soul” album as a throwback to the great sounds from the 1960s and ‘70s. When I felt I had enough good material to record, I contacted a well known recording engineer in Nashville, Billy Decker. Billy set up the studio time and lined up some incredibly talented studio musicians. The session included Wayne Jackson on trumpet; he was one of the founding members of the Memphis Horns and has performed with the likes of Elvis, Neil Diamond, and Otis Redding. I was in good company.
Now I had to come up with a band name. In case the album “tanked,” I didn’t want my clients and friends to know it was me. I needed a stage name that would garner attention and chose “Rev. Bubba D. Liverance & the Cornhole Prophets.” We titled the album “Let My Peoples Dance.”
With no background in radio or record promotion, I mailed several hundred copies to radio stations along the east coast targeting the Beach Music audience. Additionally, being a southern boy living in Auburn, Alabama, and a die-hard college football fan, I included a song for Auburn University fans titled “Let the Eagle Fly.” My daughter put together a video for the song, placed it on You Tube, and we emailed about 30 Auburn fans asking them to watch.
Within a few weeks, we had over 20,000 views on You Tube and another 20,000 hits on my website. Next thing I know, I’m getting calls and emails from radio stations along the east coast asking for interviews and personal appearances. There were a number of favorable reviews written in national magazines and before long, the first single was charting highly on the Beach Music charts and at Cashbox Magazine.
Soon I was getting calls from promoters wanting to book the band at festivals. We began rehearsing, and have now played over 30 live performance dates throughout the Southeast to very enthusiastic audiences.
My kids have come to believe their Dad does have a “cool factor!” They’re surprised that radio stations would play songs from an artist who is 57 years old or that fans would ask for my autograph. Remember, this was all just for fun, so it’s been exciting to watch the momentum grow. The second single, “Mo’ Better,” is currently on the charts, I’ve sold quite a few records to people I don’t know, and have even had calls from major labels in New York. I’m having a blast!
Man, it feels great to be young again! It is definitely Mo’ Better.
To read more, visit Mike’s Web site for Rev. Bubba D
Category: Baby Boomer Culture, Baby Boomers, Mike Hooks
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Mike, way to go! Not only do you have talent but you have the balls to go for the gold.
I have done something similar with the two areas of my life that I am passionate about. Dogs and photography.
Keep up the great work. You are an inspiration, brother!
Mark Parbus
http://www.babyboomerjourney.com
I stumbled across your post and am totally inspired. Your quest to be a rock star gets me thinking about the dreams I’ve put on the shelf for the last few decades. I’ll have fun revisiting (and, who knows, maybe resuscitating) some of those aspirations.
Hey guys, thanks for the kind words! I’m having more fun than a man should be allowed to have. Mike Hooks (a.k.a. Rev. Bubba)
What fun! Thanks so much for inspiring us to pursue our dreams. It’s never too late — really!
Very cool. Absolutely love the stage name! Kudos to you for reviving that dormant dream. As a former garage band performer myself from the 60s and 70s, I definitely understand the rush of performing onstage. Keep on enjoying it!
But no one should be at all surprised that a 57 year old dude can still pump out the cool sounds. Remember, you are still younger than Bruce, Mick, Paul, et al. You’ve got at least another decade or two left in ya, I’ll bet.
Hope I get to hear ya one of these days!
Couple of years ago my father put all business to his partners and went to Australia to travel, bought very good camera and was taking photo.lessons. Now we have wonderful collection of photos and our Daddy positive way. He is fighting with financial crisis now not having midlife crisis.
Hey Mike….it’s your cousin, Sally. I wrote you also on MySpace, but now I found this website, so I know it is definitely you! I’m impressed….that’s the old HOOKS spirit!!!! You got a pretty healthy dose!!! Take care and keep on singing! I LOVE “If You Can’t Shag” If I had known you and your wife were looking for a good place to go shag that night in Whiteville, I could have taken you to a couple of really good places down at North Myrtle. Y’all come back soon, so I can show you!
I even now don’t forget the first occasion That I over heard an Elvis Presley song I was six years old. I didn’t realize that he had already passed away until my mom and dad informed me. Even now although I’m 35 I still take pleasure in listening to him sing. He had such a gorgeous voice.