On this episode of the Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast, Bree Noble and Tara Brueske return for one of their signature “coffee chats” to unpack what it truly means to be an older artist in today’s music landscape. Both women candidly share their experiences as performers over 50, highlighting how the journey changes—and why it can get even better with age.
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Navigating Performance, Health, and Confidence as a Female Artist Over 50
Key Insights from Bree & Tara
- Embracing Age and Appearance
- Bree Noble and Tara Brueske discuss the social pressure on female performers to maintain a youthful appearance—and how they’ve learned to accept physical changes such as gray hair and shifting body shapes, even when mainstream music culture still feels youth-oriented , .
- They compare the visibility of older male artists (think: The Rolling Stones) versus women and encourage more normalization of women performing into their 50s, 60s, and beyond .
- Physical Adjustments and Tech Solutions
- From choosing comfortable, supportive shoes to using iPads with large fonts, both Bree Noble and Tara Brueske share practical strategies for staying performance-ready as their bodies change with age , .
- They celebrate the increased accessibility of technologies like in-ear monitors and stage lights to accommodate vision and hearing needs , .
- Energy Management and Setting Boundaries
- Gone are the days of back-to-back gigs or marathon three-hour winery performances. Tara Brueske candidly shares how she now prioritizes rest, shorter gig lengths, and self-care, no longer comparing herself to her younger peers , , .
- Bree Noble echoes the necessity of pacing, especially around travel, sleep, and healthy eating while on the road , .
- The Unmatched Value of Experience
- Life experience brings a new kind of confidence and stage presence. Both hosts reflect on how years of performing—and living—mean they’re no longer shaken by onstage mishaps, and are able to genuinely connect with audiences on a deeper level , .
- Older artists draw on decades of musical skill, rehearsal shortcuts, and storytelling ability, allowing them to walk into new gigs with less rehearsal and more stage comfort , .
- Managing Artistic Growth and Physical Changes
- Tara Brueske, as a voice teacher, explains that maintaining vocal health requires a different kind of regular care, and physical agility (both singing and playing piano) may shift with age—but adaptability, technique, and grace make up the difference , .
Encouragement for the Next Act
The conversation is filled with proof that artistry doesn’t have an expiration date. Bree Noble spotlights her thriving community of musicians well into their 60s and 70s (), and Tara Brueske reminds us of inspirations like Tony Bennett, who performed into his 90s (). Their advice to artists: don’t let age—or comparison—stop you from sharing your gifts and evolving creatively.
For more candid conversations about life, business, and music as a woman over 40, subscribe to the Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast or connect with Bree Noble and Tara Brueske on Instagram for topic suggestions and community.