| Do you work a job outside of the music field? |
| No. I am a full time musician |
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14% |
[ 15 ] |
| Part time job, part time musician |
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8% |
[ 9 ] |
| I have my own business to support my playing |
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10% |
[ 11 ] |
| I only play a few gigs for fun and a few bucks |
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25% |
[ 26 ] |
| I am retired, so I can play when I want |
|
34% |
[ 36 ] |
| I lots of bills, I have to work more than one job... |
|
6% |
[ 7 ] |
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| Total Votes : 104 |
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| Author |
Topic: The dreaded "day" job... |
Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
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Posted 13 Apr 2010 6:30 pm |
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I was wondering how many of you are fortunate enough to make your living playing music?
I have been blessed in times past for several year long and decade long stretches of playing music professionally. But now I am trapped into relying on a steady paycheck from a "real" job.
I am thankful to be employed in this tough economy, but I always dream of getting paid for just doing what I love. (playing steel guitar)
Dom
_________________
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3
Last edited by Dom Franco on 14 Apr 2010 1:11 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Danny Bates
From:
Fresno, CA. USA
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Posted 13 Apr 2010 7:50 pm
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They say, "A man who loves his work never works"
I guess that's me they're talkin' about because I am a musician for a livin'.
I've always been giggin', but nowadays I feel very fortunate to have a good steady gig for the last 3.5 years. I better go find some wood to knock on  |
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Mike Kirkley
From:
Helendale, California
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Posted 13 Apr 2010 11:39 pm
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I don't make my living as a musician, but I truly do love the work I do. I work on airplanes and helicopters to put food on the table and a roof over our heads, but consider myself blessed because I do get to play steel guitar and dobro as well as work in aviation.
Mike |
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Ned McIntosh
From:
New South Wales, Australia
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Posted 14 Apr 2010 3:51 am
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I have lots of bills so I work two separate jobs just to make ends meet and pay for all the labour-saving devices I have bought!
I teach people to fly microlight aircraft, do satellite uplinks and play steel and dobro for relaxation (although I made my living for six months playing steel back in 1979).
_________________
The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being. |
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John De Maille
From:
On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.
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Posted 14 Apr 2010 6:32 am
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I played steel, for almost 20 yrs, 4-5 nights a week. Also did many recording sessions. But, I always kept my "day job" as a carpenter. The last 30 yrs., I've been working for a private museum/gardens org, as a restoration carpenter. I've held 2 jobs for a long time. Both have been immensely rewarding and challenging. I wished, that, I could have been a "fulltime" steel player, but, I never was really certain that, the music would hold out. Too chicken to take a chance, I guess.
Nowadays, I play out occassionally, but, still have my carpenters job as steady employment. I'm looking to retire in the near future, if all goes well and devote more time to playing. I'd like to play out, at least, once a week. Probably a pipe dream! Maybe, at least, rub shoulders with some other steel players with the same desires about steel, that, I do. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 14 Apr 2010 11:05 am
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| i hacked out a living(?) as a musician (steel) only for most of my adult(?) life.(30-40 yrs) now i'm on bare minimum disability due to cancer and leukemia and i may not be allowed to work without losing the medical benefits that keep me alive. |
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Bill Bassett
From:
Papamoa New Zealand
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Posted 17 Apr 2010 5:15 am I Suppose I'm Lucky
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I guess you could say I am a lucky son-of-a-gun. It's true I work 4 or 5 nights a week as a musician but that's all worth it because it gives me the wherewithall to pursue my true passion during the day.
Shipping and receiving.
BD |
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Wayne Franco
From:
silverdale, WA. USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2010 9:29 am Hi Dom
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Are you going to the jam in Portland Sunday. If so, I'll make sure to say hello
Wayne Franco |
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Bret Raper
From:
Hoosier State
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Posted 17 Apr 2010 10:03 am
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I was fortunate to make a living playing music (fiddle) for about five years. Had the chance to play with some great steel players - most notably, Mike Cass.
I am now a family court judge, hearing mostly child support cases, so I still come into contact with lots of steel players. 
Sometimes people ask why I don't try to play professionally anymore. To them, I submit Exibit "A":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK9Vzdjtxtg |
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Robert Harper
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2010 10:15 am Imidation Factor
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Brett,Yes, I guess that would intimidate most anyone
_________________
"Oh what a tangled web we weave when we first begin to deceive" Someone Famous |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2010 7:30 am
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I like my day job. And the guys I know that actually make a living at music....well, let's just say that the lifestyle doesn't look inviting. I'm a bus driver. And I think the professional musicians spend about as much time behind the wheel as I do. Sacramento tonite, San Francisco on Tuesday, Lake Tahoe on Friday.....etc. They can have it.
_________________
Amor vincit omnia |
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Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
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Posted 18 Apr 2010 11:13 am Re: I Suppose I'm Lucky
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| Bill Bassett wrote: |
I guess you could say I am a lucky son-of-a-gun. It's true I work 4 or 5 nights a week as a musician but that's all worth it because it gives me the wherewithall to pursue my true passion during the day.
Shipping and receiving.
BD |
 Ha!!! Ditto's Bill! |
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