Peaks and valleys. Highs and lows. Feast or famine. Ups and downs.
Unlike many careers, being a musician is subject to that at all times.
As I sit here writing this post, I find myself in -- you guessed it -- the "valley/low/famine/down" of my career at the present time. I recently got back from being on the road to a [cough] light calendar. So, I'm back to hustling for work. Which is hard. Lately, I find myself spending a lot of time at a particular NY club to (re)make connections. Which takes a lot of time for possibly very little payoff. And, I see lots of other musicians doing the same thing as me, at the same club, at the same time.
Sure, I have some things on the horizon, maybe. But, everything is a maybe in this industry. You can get and/or lose gigs for no reason at all. Things can change in a day, but you can never count on that happening.
Friends of mine have had to go out and get day jobs. I'm currently looking for one, myself (hey -- I got a family to feed!). This is the reality of being a musician. When things get light, you start to question your career choices. I know I do!
"Are you going to push your kids into music?"
I get asked that question often. The answer is "HELL NO". While I would never prevent them from doing it if they so chose, I don't recommend this kind of life on anyone. I'd rather they be accountants or school teachers or anything that provides steady work, a steady paycheck, benefits, and a pension.
So, here I am -- trying to figure out what I can do, what new niche I can carve out for myself that still involves music and hopefully actually playing the guitar.
I have some ideas.
I'll let you know if they pan out.....
