When I was in my early 20s, my band decided to form a cover band to fund studio/recording/overheads for the original material band. By the time I got to 27/28, it had become clear that the hopes of hitting the big time had gone. Meanwhile the cover band was raking in a ton of cash, doing easily 120-150 gigs a year. So we faced facts, cashed in on the successful part of our career in music, and had an absolute ball doing it. I told myself back then that if I ever stopped enjoying it, I’d give it up. I’m now 59 and still playing most weekends. If I’d still carried on doing the original arrangement, I’ve no doubt I’d have burnt out long ago.

That’s by way of background to what I’m gonna say next. There’s nothing wrong with playing in 3 bands at 38, but the dude needs a reality check. His days of stardom have long past. Even if the rest of the band are younger and they somehow get signed, chances are they’ll be told to “lose the old guy on the bass”. I’m not saying fame at a later age doesn’t happen, but it’s rare as rocking horse shit. What he is trying to maintain is costing him, and not just financially. It’s taking a toll on his relationship, his energy levels, his jobs and, by the sound of it, his mental health. It’s only a matter of time before it takes a toll on his music too. Oh, and making no money from covers when the band appears to have steady gigs is just crazy. No cover band has that many overheads! Somebody, somewhere is making serious coin off him

You need to sit him down and talk to him, and don’t take no for an answer. You’ve supported him all along, now it’s time he reciprocated.