Should I Stay or Should I Go...

[StreetDog]

I'm at a troubled crossroads. Been stressing out, worrying...

 

I'm married, one child, job/career. i'm early 30's.

 

I've basically been at my job 10 years and when I started, it was

a way to support myself while chasing the music dream. I'm a musician.

Now that i've come to terms with realizing i'm not gonna "make it" in music

and that I don't want to tour anymore or be away from my family at my age now, i'm looking at my Day Job and thinking about taking it a lot more seriously.

 

Now i'm left with wanting to do what's best for my family. 5 years ago got married, we had a baby. I'm Dad/Husband. I love my wife and child. I need better money. Plain and simple. I mean we're still in an apartment. There is money to be had in my industry but my Boss has always been super cheap, not great with giving raises. As it is, I have a second job on the weekends right now to have extra money to buy clothes for baby and put food on the table. Recession hit this place good.

 

Anyway, My life question is: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

I already have so much time invested here at this company. I know

the stuff. I could get into it, even though I never saw myself doing

this the rest of my life, I could embrace it. I could stay here and hope

that eventually I could get more pay down the road. OR, should I take a risk

& try and find a NEW job, maybe even in a new field that i'd really

enjoy? That choice scares me a little. Only because i really wish I had

educated myself on the side this whole time, prepped myself for somethin

I love to fall back on in an industry I really like.

 

I'm lost.

 

3 months ago I thought I could still go for Music.

Now i'm accepting that I should do what is best for

my family.

Edited October 15, 2010 by StreetDog

[Cee]

There's a quote that's credited to legendary musician and music producer Steve Albini, "If you can't deal with bagging groceries your whole life, you're not a musician." Probably not an exact quote, but you get my drift.

 

I know a lot of people in the music life and like you none of them are getting paid much for it. My ex is 40 and still living the rocker life, but he's single and drives a delivery truck for his job. He gave up on touring, but found regular gigs in Chicago. He's very happy. Another friend who is 38 doesn't have full custody of his son so he has time for a full-time job and music on top of that. This guy is on cloud 9 every time he performs.

 

I suggest that you talk to your wife about your dreams and about your family's financial stability. This isn't a decision that necessarily has to be all or nothing. You can pursue music in a less intensive way via producing or maybe doing a podcast or start a digital record label (another friend did that). Or maybe you can teach young children to play the guitar at a Paul Green school of rock type place.

 

I suggest you keep doing music & also find a better job in terms of pay and benefits. Good luck.

[GorillaTheater]

One piece of advice: don't quit your job until you have have another one lined up.