Fully Pro or Weekend Warrior. What is best in the long term?

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

I had 17 very enjoyable years as a pro musician in my younger days. When I got to my mid-30's I did what many of us do - the life assessment. What have I achieved, where am I now and where do I want to be? As much as I loved the pro life of travelling, daily variety, recording, rehearsing for shows and teaching, the financial side of things was very hit and miss. Many times it was feast or famine, where work seemed to come in all at once and then there could be a barren spell for a while. Bringing up a family as a pro musician can be precarious.

At the age of 35 during the middle of a recession I decided to get the proverbial day job, which was a culture shock at first. Routine was something I had to get used to. However, having a day job with its steady and reasonably guaranteed income along with any evening and weekend gigs that came along certainly altered my life. I suddenly had disposable income. I could plan for holidays well in advance. Getting a mortgage was now dead simple. I found that I could still fit gigs into my life if I wanted to and also turn down the ones that I didn't want to do. I never did this previously.

I am now a senior manager within local government with a guaranteed pension when I retire. I actually enjoy playing steel guitar more than I ever have.

Has anyone else had to weigh up the choice of being either full time pro or semi pro?

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Ken, I did basically the same thing as you except I waited until I was 45 years old to do it! I played music full time until then and started doing gigs with pickers who'd have a familiar last name and I'd mention if they knew so and so to which he would reply "That's my dad" or something like that.

I realized that I was working with the children of players I used to work with when I was young. Also I started always being "The oldest guy in the band" on a regular basis.

I talked it over with my wife (now ex) and we decided to leave southern California and move to Virginia where she had some relatives and one was big in local government (Chief of Police). With that contact I got a low level job in a warehouse and eventually worked myself up to a supervisor position.

I'm really happy that I gave up full time pickin'. I've been retired two years now and couldn't have done it properly if I didn't have my City retirement. Since I've moved here I've become a "Weekend Warrior" and am really enjoying music like never before. I can play with whom I want, when I want, and never have to pick with anyone I don't want to or take a gig I don't want. It's great not having to play for a living (Although I do miss the old days)............JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I thought I resolved all this at age 18, when I decided not to go to music school - Berklee was on my mind, I spent high school 2 miles away - and study physics and math "seriously" and music "for fun" at Antioch College. Sounds fine - did a stint in industry, went back to grad school, got a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, taught at a large university. But in the meanwhile, I seriously caught the music bug again. By the late 80s-early 90s, I was playing out a lot again.

It seemed that there was no way I could continue with both, so I left the tenure-track ratrace behind, started a vintage guitar store that was much more atuned to my night schedule, and played full-time in and out of town. I was probably putting in 16-18 hour days, but I had a blast. We're talking my 40s here.

But ultimately, several years back, I just had to acknowledge that it's very hard to even do both the vintage guitar biz and playing seriously. I had to decide whether to get out of this one-horse town and get serious about playing as a business, really focus on the vintage guitar business, or consider getting back to my math/science thing. I decided that computer science was the way to go, did most everything for an M.S. in CS - still have the thesis to finish - and now teach information sciences at the same university I left earlier. I decided against trying to find a tenure-track spot somewhere else, focused more on teaching and less on research, and it even leaves me some time to play out.

I pick my gigs now - 10-15 years ago, I would take any gig - you know the drill. I focus on what I want to do musically, and it's just better, to me. I think that 7-year period where I played all the time was real good for me, and I have no regrets whatsoever. But it would be the wrong path for me now. I really like my teaching gig, I'm starting to do some research lately, and I play out as much as I can deal with and enjoy most every gig. I'm busy as blazes, but when I go down for the count, that's the way I want to do it.

I don't think there is any "best" - it's up to what moves you personally, IMO. I think - for most people - if they have real passion about something, they can find a way to make it work. For me, it's about how to channel that passion.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Trying to make a living playing music for money is a losing game. Especially in Nashville. Short term rewards. Long term waste of time. It does not mix well with stability or family life.

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

I did both for about 25 years,from about when I was twenty and married,I ALWAYS had a day gig,and worked in bands six nights a week[it was not like today where you are lucky if you have a weekend gig]In those years I was lucky to get 4 or 5 hours sleep a night,guess that's why I am an old worn out geezer yoday.But if I could do it all over again,I proberly would do the same thing,was a good ride don't you know.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

Sounds like I'm abuot the same age as most people in this thread. Played full-time from 78-97, now I got me a day gig, which I hate (worked for a truck dealership and it was fine until we were bought by an evil corporation). The trouble nowadays is the gigs just aren't there like they used to be. In the 80's I played many clubs 5-7 nights a week, mostly in town (Twin Cities). You could support yourself. All the full-timers I know now are on the road constantly playing one-horse towns, but they would not do anything else. Once you get that medical coverage and 401K and paid vacation and all that good stuff it's hard to go back. Now, like Jerry, I'm always grandpa of the band, but having a ball playing when I want to. There is something to be said about being able to turn down gigs because of the fun factor. By the way, Jerry, I'm starting to make a little money with that Hound Dog now, and it still sounds great!
_________________
Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Ken - it sounds as though you made the right choice at the right time.

I turned pro straight out of Art College and, through a series of chance encounters, found myself with a very well-paid gig within months. As a 19 year old I was touring, doing TV and film work, driving my own Jaguar, and moving in what I fondly imagined were exalted circles. Working for a chart-topping heart-throb meant that I had a disproportionate share of young ladies, too!

It's taken me this long - forty years - to realize that those really were 'the days'. I honestly believe that I've spent the ensuing decades convincing myself that I've chosen the right path. Certainly, like you, I had some bountiful periods, and I suppose I've kept a roof over my head, but....

I can't say I'm sorry, but I never had a family. In fact I only recently married at the age of sixty-one! I was always too selfish to want children but, had I wanted them, I wonder if, like you, I'd have done some serious thinking about my 'career'.

I'm pleased when the 'phone rings, but I can't pick and choose the gigs; if it's properly paid, I take it.

There'll be no retirement for me - we're comfortable enough here in Naples, but we'll have a mortgage for the foreseeable future, and I doubt that I'll leave my wife, Susie, in a position where she can put her feet up for her twilight years (she's a good bit younger than me). Next year will see my meagre Social Security and UK Pension (87%, 'cause I emigrated in 1997) trickling in, but medical care is going to be a huge concern.

It's only recently that I've found myself wishing that I could just pick with a decent local band, rather than constantly having to travel but, at sixty-four, it's probably a bit late to choose another path... Very Happy

The other side of the coin is that my condo-fee includes limitless free golf!!!!! See? It's not so bad after all, and there have been some wonderful moments throughout those years, even if I'm not quite as good a player as I'd hoped I'd be.

RR
(PS: I had to finish with that positive paragraph, or I'd have swallowed a bottle of Ibuprofen... Crying or Very sad

)

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

I've always seemed to manage to make the decision that has been the best for me at any given time.

Counting on anybody else to make those decisions for me has worked out poorly the very few times I tried it.

I have a comfortable amount of musical saisfaction, and I have a comfortable amount of monetary satisfaction.

It's different for most everybody.

Smile

EJL

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

I never even considered doing anything except playing music for a living so I am glad I started too young to even have to decide. I am closing in on 60 in a few years and don't know how much longer I will be able to do this as the environment of music has changed so much, but I will keep at it as long as the phone rings. I just finished up a 5 week theatre show on guitars, various jazz gigs on electric bass and have my steady church gig. I overdubed a little steel on a recording last night.

I am so glad that I am not starting out my professional music career right now. There just aren't enough live music jobs like there were in the 60s, 70s and 80s. I honestly do not know how the younger players make it these days.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · From: Clinton, Missouri USA

Bill, the new kids have day jobs, or they are really starving. Wink

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to acquire a copy of steel guitarist HOWARD WHITES' great book "All Roads Out of Nashville".

They covered his many years as a road musician.

After chasing that star most of my life and never quite catching it.......I discovered that the glory of road work was more myth than reality.

I did a little road work in my teen-age years and it was fun however, I likely would have been one of those loyal musicians that would've been dumped off in the middle of the night in the middle of Wyoming by some ego maniac singer who owned the bus.

Keeping the day job most likely is responsible for my raving success at this point in my life. Ah, for the golden years.

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I tried to do the day job thing but I was rotting inside without the music as my primary activity. I couldn't handle it so I took my chances and went back. I am happy with my choice.
_________________
Bob

Bob Blair · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

While living in Toronto about 26 years ago, I had plans to join a road band with my brother - I had a law degree, but a year working in downtown Toronto while moonlighting six nights a week in the Queen Street bars had convinced me that my heart was in music. Or so I thought. One day someone pointed out a job in Vancouver that I was well-qualified for (staff lawyer at the BC Labour Relations Board) , and almost on the spur of the moment, I typed out a resume and covering letter (didn't even keep a copy) and stuck it in the mail. Before I knew it I was offered a job, and I was calling my brother telling him I'd changed my plans - he was relieved, as he had decided there was no future on the road. I think he was about to call and tell me much the same thing, except in his case it was that he was going to apply to law school!

I have done several different and mostly interesting things in my succession of legal day jobs, have lived in several Canadian cities, am a partner in a union-side labour law firm where I do what passes for cutting-edge work here in the "oilpatch", have lots of guitars, an acreage in the Gulf Islands that I rarely seem to have time to visit, and a classy steel guitar gig with a respected local singer-songwriter. My brother practices the same kind of law in Toronto, and gigs regulary with an R&B band, some jazz trio gigs and a Big Band.

I wish I had more time for music, I wish I had gone to Berklee, i suppose I could wish all kinds of things. Do I wish I had turned down the Vancouver job and gone on the road as per the original plan? Life may not be perfect, (and I'd have a whole lot more money if I represented companies instead of trade unions!), but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which was the better choice! And by accident rather than design I seem to have chosen it.

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

One thing that does hit home is that the rate of payment for musicians in the UK hasn't gone up that much in the past 30 years in line with inflation. The average gig is now worth around £100 to each player in the band (about $200). 25 - 30 years ago we were getting £50 - £60 each, and the cost of living was much lower then.

Certainly some of my friends who have steadfastly stayed in the fully professional game are struggling financially now they have got older, and the gigs are getting fewer. Teaching is an option but doesn't pay that well. I think it does need some careful consideration when you turn pro about what is going to happen in the future and plan for it.

Clyde Mattocks · From: Kinston, North Carolina, USA

From the looks of the replies, I think we full timers are in the minority, but I wouldn't trade my choices.
In 1970 I took a vow of poverty and decided to give it my all. Work was plentiful, but I had an ample
amount of free time during the week to spend with my
kids. Admittedly, you have to keep the bills paid, but money doesn't replace quality time spent with your loved ones. My kids will tell you today they loved our life back then.
I advise anyone who wants to do it full time that you have to develop all your musical abilities. For
me that meant playing as many instruments as possible, booking, and buying, selling and repairing
instruments.
Even with all that, I had to occasionally take a construction job for short periods of time, but all in all, my income and retirement(self paid for) is about the same as if I'd worked a factory job.
Most people have a $30,000 car in their driveway.
I have 15 $2000 cars (almost the truth). It's not
the life for folks who have to keep up with the Joneses, but I don't regret it.

John Lacey · From: Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

I've been a full-time pro for 37 years and am generally proud of it. It's a terribly personal thing for each person to chose either course with the advantages and disadvantages of both. It got really tough when the kids came along, both financially and morally, with me being on the road and all of us missing each other, also mother looking after the kids alone and no extra income. Though I wasn't on the road so much that I couldn't find lots of time to spend with them while not working. Fortunately, that's when the business was the best, 6 niters, studio work, TV. Now that we're empty nesters and the wife has an established job, it takes the pressure off financially and fortunately because there are fewer jobs as I age. Maybe that's a good thing, I certainly couldn't hack 6 nights a week again playing NCS. Jams have become a new way of life in the last 10 years and they have their ups and downs, but they do provide steady income with little or no travel. Now I don't mind going on the road to Ft. McMurray for a week, to get out of Dodge and not have to deal with any domestic issues. Don't have the guilt about missing the kids anymore either, so that's a relief. So in a way, I've sort of transitioned between a full-time player and a weekender!

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

I'm 61 and have played mostly weekends since I was 14. Sometimes 5-6 nights along with daytime job but,I never went totally on the road. Although I have only played locally,I have always been serious about playing and able to work with really good bands and back a lot of stars on one nighters.

Now I work for myself and I'm kinda semi retired so I'm more involved musically than I've ever been able to be in the past. I just came back from 4 days in Ruidosa,next sat is Pearls in Ft. Worth,Mesa steel show and Sacramento next year. I like to travel some but never needed to be on the road day after day. I always wanted to do session work for a living but never got good enough.

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

Hi Roger, Don't sell yourself short. You are good enough for studio work. Come to see us. Jody.

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

My story is like many of y'all's. Dropped out of college in 1967 to be a musician, and had good road gigs with recording artists until around 1980, when 280 dates that year broke up a relationship. So I took a job with a local cover band that was working about 20 nights a month, but all local/regional so we came home every night. And I made more bucks doing that than I did in road bands. So I traded better prestige for better money.

Then, at 36 (1983), I decided I needed to go back to school and learn a skill I could sell to someone besides music. I got security minded. Studied business management at a community college while working a music store in the daytime and then doing the cover band thing as those gigs were diminishing in the late 80's.

I got a job in newspaper advertising sales that eventually became a sales management position and I started earning some good money. Gigs diminished in number but by then... early 90's... I was doing 4 to 6 gigs a month with Johnny Bush so there was great musical satisfaction and generally weekend work only, since the newspaper gig was flexible enough to allow it.

When the newspaper job went away at age 50, I was fortunately ahead of the game enough that I had a little time and freedom to do things I wanted to do without feeling the wolf being at the door. I had bought my first house in the early 70's when real estate was cheap so there was that element of security as well.

One good thing I did was to attend a Charles Givens financial seminar in the early 80's and began investing in mutual funds every time I got a nickel ahead. Well, after 25 years, that program actually worked and now I'm pretty comfortable. My wife is a professional and her business is doing well.

I now play music full-time again... well, 120-130 dates a year, all in Texas... with my old bandmate from 1972 Gary P. Nunn. We're the old farts and the rest of the band is youngsters, who manage to keep us feeling young as well. In addition, I'm again doing a few dates with my even-older-bandmate Michael Murphey, but only on an occasional sporadic basis. And I'll do the once-in-awhile weeknight gig with various friends around town here.

The only real worry for my wife and I now is maintaining our health, since we seem to have made the right decisions when the choices were presented to us. I'm now 60, our home in the country is paid for, and I bass fish whenever gigs allow it. For us, the good old days are right now. I consider myself "semi-retired," but I don't think I'll ever give up playing music professionally or being involved in the steel guitar world.

Bush used to say this to me about retirement: "Retire? From what? You retire from a sh!t job, not something you love doing." I tend to agree with him. It's been a good ride.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

Herb's post raises a good point. Should a pro player be looking to have some qualification or skill in another profession should the full time pro job hit a snag. It makes sense to have some contingency in place just in case.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Despite the element of negativity in my earlier post, I should stress that, all things considered, I don't regret the path I took.

If someone had tapped me on the shoulder as I sat at my desk in Enfield Grammar School in the 1950s and 'offered' me the prospect of playing my guitar for a living, I'd have grabbed it in an instant. I had no clear idea of what I might do for a living but, having just begun to study guitar, I wouldn't have dared to hope that a life in music was an option....

I did a session with Phil Everly in 1982, and I still have a photo of us with him holding my Gibson J-200. I can recall him saying - "Some guys have to earn their living with a shovel - we're pretty lucky, I guess."

I tend to agree with him.

RR

Barry Blackwood · Posted 22 Oct 2007 7:04 am

No matter what they do, everybody needs a 'Plan B.'

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

"Fully Pro or Weekend Warrior. What is best in the long term?"

I had to make that decision twice during my lifetime but both times I decided that it was in my best interest to "turn left at Oak Street" and keep the day job. Oh Well

Someone else's name was always on the side of the bus, not mine!

At age 76, with no stress in my life except watching the Dow go up and down, I have no regrets.

Bob Blair · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Jimbeaux, my brother never had a "Plan B" - studied music in his first couple of years of University, spent six months or so studying arranging somewhere in LA, then moved to Ontario and hit the Road. Still, when the Road lost its charm, he was able to get into law school easily enough just by going to Ottawa U and taking another year's worth of arts courses. And getting a B Mus also involves taking some of the standard breadth courses, I assume. So it may be that just by getting some university a kid is enabling a Plan B. But as a parent, I sure as heck will encourage a Plan B. But I would have been very happy for one of my kids to pursue music as a career, despite the financial risks involved.

Forum Index > Steel Players	Goto page 1, 2, 3 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic