Reality check time hurts, doesn't it!

Two years ago I walked away from a pretty decent paying day job that just ate up time and created so much stress that I was turning into a zombie when I wasn't working and a maniac when I was. After a time I found a low paying but stress free part-time job (which could become full-time but I don't think I want it to) which allowed me to do music at least part-time (lessons and gigging). I am much happier now, but I'm coming out of the other end of the career choice scenerio, and its 23 years later.

Had I to do it all over again, I would not have allowed the music to be pushed aside, even if it meant lower paying day job(s). But hindsight vs foresight arguments don't get us anywhere. With or without support from family and/or friends at an early stage, we have to take day jobs, and we have to stay focused on the real ambition, music. This means even taking music jobs we mightn't prefer. The singer/songwriter may have to do the reception band thing, roadie, theatre, band, sessions, teach, studio, whatever to simply gain a foothold in the field. All that learned related experience is worthwhile anyway and will pay dividends later in the career, or may lead to other opportunities which weren't at first considered. Failure is almost assured if one limits oneself to the singer/songwriter field alone before one is established, unless one is blessed with all the possible luck and talent in the world. Outside experience makes better songwriters anyway.

Having to flip burgers or push a broom may not be the ideal way of reaching the s/s goal, but it beats starving to death. My personal experience was that I allowed music to take a back seat to other things for too long and suffered for it. I lost sight of the goal for a few years, and when my vision cleared I became all the more resolved to accomplish what I set out to do after high school. (In case you're wondering, I am supporting a family throughout all this.) Though I'm not bent on the s/s goal so much as a general music income, in my neck of the woods the disadvantages are similar.

The problems...relocation vs staying put...vehicle ownership vs public transport...standard of living...equipment requirements...family/relationship issues...providing for future security...saving money...management vs self-management...shiftwork...seasonal work...leaves from work...debt...exposure...bookings...recordings...publicity...etc, ect, etc...

When my kids ask, the answer will be "go with your passion" and "we'll do what we can to help". I wish it had been thus for me. But we will expect a suitable degree of accountability and so on. Sometimes we don't know where we're going until we get there, but it helps to have a map, and a helping hand.

More thoughts later.

Peace, Mooh.