I notice that I've lost my cookie ... and so while I'm somewhat anonymous, I'll add to these thoughts.

I've been on both sides of the pro and semi-pro, working musician world. As I said above, I've been at it full-time professionally for almost 10 years. After I had worked at a couple of years full-time, I noticed that there is much bigger divide between the two levels then I had noticed before. I hope people don't find this offensive, but when you work at it full-time, you are probably taking every single gig that comes along. Your musician and performer skills get honed to an amazing level.

Again, at the risk of sounding immodest - I know that as a semi-pro player I was a good musician and other players had great respect for my skills, but after a few years as a pro I was running rings around where I'd been before. The same holds true for my skills as a performer. Just knowing what to play, to whom, under what circumstances - sharpening the stories and intros - considering every aspect of music presentation. All of these skills are sharpened as well, when you're doing it full time.
Today I still work with and play with both pro and semi pro players - and I have great respect for so many of their skills in both ranks. BUT there is always a difference in the musical chops. Maybe this is just common sense, and maybe it doesn't need to be said - but it is something I was simply not all that conscious of before.

Jump in the deep end and sink or swim as a full time pro and your music skills will soar. Maybe that will only be important to you - but maybe that's where it counts the most.

anyway - I'm beginning to ramble.

... and I hope this is not offensive. I mean it as an incentive.