I've spent most of my life as a full time musician, always on the move and just getting by. I could only do it because I decided in my teens to give up the idea of ever owning a home or having a 'normal' life and just go for it. For most people it can only be done with a lot of sacrifice, and that's not an easy choice. I had a good run in the 90's living in Europe and touring non-stop - the most fun I ever had with my clothes on! What stopped that was everybody else in the band ('cept me) having kids. We could scrape by and feed ourselves but the operation was too lean to support kids and partners.

The last few years I've decided to stay in Australia, so now I have a part time job teaching music to pay the rent. We just don't have the population here to support many full time musicians. The only people I know who make a living playing are with major record companies, everyone else has something on the side to keep them afloat.

_________________
"...Compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees, I am an Apeman."

I did many years playing clubs in the Beach Cities area of Orange County, CA. One year, I only played for a living, with no day gig, and it sucked. It was far better to play for fun and a little extra cash than to count on the money to eat.

I did it semi-full time for 2 years then full time for another 5 from 1968 to 1975. It was fun but I also accepted after a while that I wasn't a commercial band "lead guitarist" -- no stage moves. I could arrange, I could produce and the band that fired me even offered to hire me back as a behind the scenes "consultant" to do exactly that. (Part time of course.) The agent we had made a similar offer: consult with his up and coming bands to find their "style" and craft something unique enough to stand out.

That aspect just didn't interest me (at the time), so I finally (at age 25) gave in and went to college, got a sorta career and short lived marriage. That all lasted a whopping 3 years (well, the marriage only lasted 1 1/2). At the end of that, I tried to get back into music but was pretty much labeled a has-been. So I played in a country/Elvis band and added on a BS to my AAS.

Another marriage and a true "career type job" left me with no time at all for music. So for the next 20 years, my old guitar sat in the closet rusting. Eventually, that marriage was history but this time, the job went on. Then one day I woke up seriously sick and disoriented. I went to the doctor, who pointed out that working 90 - 100 hour weeks 51 weeks out of the year will tend to do that to you.

So she said: put your foot down with your employer (easy for doctors to say, no!) oh and by the way, get a NON-competitive hobby that has nothing to do with work, career advancement, etc. Okayyyyyy.

Amazingly, it all worked. That weekend, I went to GC and got an inexpensive guitar (the DeArmond/Guild M75T I posted elsewhere) and pleasantly found that I still vaguely remembered what to do with one. Then on Monday, I told my boss that my function was rated for one senior, two staff accountants and 4 clerks under me ... but we had ... me.

Not surprisingly, he let me go on the spot but when our CEO found out, I was called an hour later and offered a comparable job in the payroll division (which is what our company does). That was 12 years ago and I like what I'm doing ever since. The job is cool, the guitar collection is growing, the skills are coming back ...

... and ... I'm seriously planning on going full circle and back into playing full time when I retire. (I'm shooting for 62 1/2, about 5 years from now.) Still have no stage moves but hey, who'd expect that from a white haired old guy

You're an inspiration Phil, seriously, maybe the return to guitar saved your life at that time... prevented a heart attack or similar. Who knows, but obviously it's been only a good thing.

_________________
"...Compared to the flowers and the birds and the trees, I am an Apeman."

philip602: You rock, sir.

Well I am 48 and the daily responsibilities of life wife and kids take precedent over everything else. Right now I am just wishing to get surgery so that I can play proper again. I could care less about being famous and always felt that way but outside of my family the guitar still gives me a rush like nothing else. I am more than content to hang with 2 friends and just jam or to sit at home with a backing track and wail away. The bottom line is we are all deep lovers of music, and that we can make it is a special gift.

I gigged full time from 85-97. Had to have some crappy job at times just to get by. In 1997 I found a way to go back to university and get a degree in music (classical guitar/music theory) My wife and I opened a small music school and now I am fortunate enough to make my living with my guitar.

I still gig regularly with a local act and teach 40 students. Just lately, I purchased some quality recording gear and now I'm working on my own original project which will be working by the fall.

I'm a very fortunate to be able to make a living with my guitar. Its a good thing.................. it seems to be the only thing I'm reasonably good at.

_________________
Tim

I played in a folk band for a few years from when I was about 16, (I'll be 60 in August!) I got to experience playing in front of crowds and girls were plentiful. Then a funny thing happened. I wrote an extensive carreer test, (it took 3 weeks!), then went for my interview. The first words out of the instructors mouth were, "Have you ever considered a proffessional music career?" I replied that we have all dreamed of being Mick Jagger, but no, not really. He said, "Good! Because the chances of success are pretty slim - so let's move on." And that was that!

All these years later and I find myself in a similar position as many of the more "mature" types here - married, child, homeowner, etc. I finally got the Strat I'd been wanting for many years and it rekindled my interest in music and allowed me to get to know the fine folks here.

It would be fun to play with a band again but I am happy enough when I make good sounds come out of my amp. However, you just never know.

Peace,
Gridlok

That reminds me of a chinese proverb

Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare!

_________________
"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

Talent

Like a lot of people have already posted: Food, bills, Health Insurance, ect...

I just cannot at this time do this full time and properly support my family on my guitar skills and being an unknown artist. I have family members that need health insurance.

_________________
RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Cars, girls, and Guitars!

That's all I was interested in when I was younger. Unfortunately, cars and girls dominated all my thinking and time and kinda crowded out any guitar time. The sad thing is, it wasn't until I was married with a couple of kids that I really wanted to put the guitar thing first (after the wife and kids of course)

So, now I'm guitar obsessed and play for my own enjoyment but alas look fondly back in the day when I was young and had the chance to really do something but DIDN'T.