David Hood jokes that a “fear of starvation” is what motivates him to continue playing music at 68 years old, but it’s really something much deeper than that.

“I just love it,” said Hood, bassist for the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. “I enjoy working.”

Hood is one of several Shoals musicians who can qualify for senior citizen discounts at restaurants and receive mail from AARP, but continue to play either locally or out of town, in the studio or live.

“I do make my living doing that, but I do it when I’m not making any money because I do enjoy it,” Hood said. “If I ever stopped, I don’t know what I’d do.”

At 70 years old, musician/producer Norbert Putnam has no intentions of slowing down.

As as bassist, Putnam was part of Rick Hall’s original FAME Recording Studios rhythm section and worked with Elvis Presley. He continues to work as a producer, often working with bands whose members are a fraction of his age.

“Most of us have enough retirement money,” said Putnam who primarily works in the studio these days.

“What’s great about it is, it keeps you healthy,” he said. “Instead of taking a nap after lunch every day, I’m hitting it in the studio every day.”

Putnam also serves on the board of directors for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, of which he is a member.

“I think the older you get, the busier you need to be if you possibly can,” Putnam said. “I’ve seen too many people retire and they’re dead in two years.”

Guitarist Travis Wammack began playing guitar as a child and cut his first record at 11. He’s been called the fastest guitarist in the world and is another local player who worked at Rick Hall’s FAME studios.

“I love it, man,” Wammack, 67, said with enthusiasm. “The scary part with me is, I’m getting better every day. My voice is getting stronger.”

“I love performing,” he said. “I guess it’s good therapy.”

Wammack stays active by playing local shows every weekend at Goodsprings Fish and More near Russellville, singing in church and playing in a rockabilly band with legendary drummer J.M. Van Eaton, who also is 67.

Wammack joked that his wife said performing helps keep his mind active.

“It’s a good thing,” he said. “It keeps you young.”

Keyboardist Spooner Oldham, who played on numerous hits recorded in the Shoals and toured with Neil Young, recalled a conversation with football great, Harlon Hill, about 20 years ago.

“He said, ‘Spooner, you’ve had a great career haven’t you?’” Oldham said. He acknowledged he had and Hill commented that his own career had been so short.

Unlike most professional athletes whose careers can end when they reach their 40s, musicians can play as long as their health and talent allows.

“It’s the same motivation for me that I had from day one,” Oldham said. “I enjoy the creative process of making records. Touring is kind of an added feature.”

Oldham said he reluctantly accepted an offer to tour with Allman Brothers Band alumnus Dickie Betts in the 1970s because the nature of the music business was changing.

Oldham sensed an end to the days when he could go to work in the studio, go home, eat supper and go to bed.

“The world around me changed,” Oldham said. “Record companies were signing bands that were writing their own songs and playing their own music.”

Oldham said he adapted to life on the road and continues to do it from time to time.

“That’s just the way I do it at this point in my life,” the 67-year-old said. “I write songs, make records and go on tour. I don’t know how long I’ll feel like going out. I want to get out and do it while I still can.”

When he tours, Oldham said it’s with other veterans who like to be comfortable.

“I probably wouldn’t get out in a station wagon and rent a trailer,” he joked. “I’m not that dedicated anymore.”

Russ Corey can be reached at 256-740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.