Hi Lynn ... I'll take a stab at giving you some thoughts from my corner of the world. This is going to be a HUGE change and will require some serious "guts" (SISU as the Finns say.) But you sound like a gutsy person. If I were making this career change, I would try to gather a VERY large support group around me. I'd start with a manager, or perhaps several, specializing in different areas: one for the club gigs, one for the school assemblies etc. Being a teacher now, the obvious place to start is with your current teacher friends and assiociates. the more you are requested from 'within' the better. A financial planner would advise you to take a serious look at your monies and your insurances. I notice that you plan on continuing your church work. This is very sensible for two reasons: the basic dollars as well as the 'homebase' it gives you. So, it might come down to just how daring you are. At 48, you are obviously young enough to "go for it." And perhaps you'll regret not trying if you don't. Best wishes to you. Bob(deckman)Nelson.