In 1969 I dropped out of school (Northern Illinois University) to pursue a "career in music". I saw myself as a singer, was considered to have some talent playing the trumpet and had taught myself to play guitar. I had worked in R'n'R bands in high school and my increased focus on playing and singing in coffeehouses had made further schooling unthinkable. I started playing with my best friend from high school who was in the same mental place. He played guitar and sang and we complimented each other well. Eventually we added band mates, played country and country rock in bars and at colleges, recorded demos. The band came close to recording contracts but never got over the hump. I have continued to play different styles of music in different formats ever since. I no longer try to support myself through music, and haven't since 1980.

Now I suppose you could read all that and say "yeah, so?". After all, there are about a million (or maybe just thirteen hundred and fifty-two) guitar pickers who have the same kind of story. And some of them are sitting somewhere crying in their beer about lost opportunities, and the cruel music bizness, and bad luck, and broken promises, and outright lies (both told and heard) and all the other stuff that comes along with a career in playing music. Or with living any kind of life. But I will tell anyone, anytime that I wouldn't trade the life I led for anything.

It's great to spend your full time and attention submersed in the music. When your only concern is learning new songs, writing new songs, making arrangements of songs, learning new techniques for playing and singing, and jamming with your fellow musicians, life is all good. Unfortunately, a career in the music business still requires "taking care of business". One of the key skills you will need quickly is an elusive one - how you can turn all that talent into hard currency. It's a skill that can't be overestimated, that takes up way too much time and that has, frankly, escaped me. But even so, if you love music, and throw your heart into it, you will get more back than you could ever imagine.

There are a lot of music careers available. One thing to keep in mind - Any professional working in the arts learns early on that the monetary awards rarely correspond to the value of the work. I have seen my best efforts totally ignored and a few trifles praised way beyond their importance. This means that you need to be clear with yourself about your expectations. How will you determine the value of this music career that you're contemplating. Before you quit your day job, ask yourself what "a successful career" in music looks like to you. Then take a look at where you're at now. How can you get there from here? Do you need some more training? Do you need co-conspirators? Do you need to move to Music City or the Brill Building?

You have to figure out all this stuff in advance because if you don't, you won't know if you're a success or not. You can count on there being a whole line of people ready to tell you how you've failed.

Over the time I spent as a "professional" I made many close friends that I still have. I met my wife and fell in love. I lost my best friend for about twenty years, then found him again. I learned a lot. I learned enough about music to allow me to still play from time to time and have a hell hole of a lot of fun without practicing all the time. I didn't ever make enough money, but I've got some great stories. So, you tell me did I succeed? I wrote a song last week that is, in my humble opinion, my best one yet. I guess it ain't over til the fat guy sings - or in my case, quits singing.

Follow your heart. Music's about more than just a "career" - it's about life.
That's all I know. Good luck
Bart