Need advice, whether or Not I should Quit my Job for so-called Pipe Dream

[FelixTheCat]

I feel dumb even asking this, I should know what To do, It's My Life...I'm 27/male.

 

 

I have a good paying job with benefits. Been here 4 years, 9-5, weekends off, a good job. I also do Stage sound for

rock music on the side, done it ever since my late teen years, i'm really good at it, i always get asked for jobs. I've been on tours in my life supporting bands, doing sound etc. I used to just quit whatever day job I had at the time to go on tour at the drop of a hat.

But in that music game, it's all who you know. My goal was to try and do sound for a "well Known" act but it's tough. So 4 years

ago, i settled down and found another day job(this one) and it's treated me good. But i still do sound on weeknights locally

and go on weekend jaunts with bands I know.

 

Anyway my problem is, I work for a band who's trying to "make it". I just hooked up with them in January. I really like the guys,

Not really music i'm totally sold on, but it's well done enough for me to work with them and keep my interest and they are featured in mags and have a cd out etc.

 

I just recently cashed in

a bunch of favors(didn't give my boss all the details) and used up all my vacation to go with the band on a 3 week tour. It was fun, but

not very fruitful. Anyway, I now have no vacation left and they want to go out again on two other small tours, but I'm

hesitant to go because, I really don't want to give up my job, (they already did me a huge favor, they're not going to keep on

giving me favors.) to go on some tours playing to a few people here and there at clubs in other cities, when this band

can't even fill a club here in town. I don't really want the risks, but I also don't want to give up on the dream. I have a long time girlfriend

also that I want to ask to marry me soon and I have been thinking of trying to start my own Sound Equipment Company. Part of me

Doesn't want to let these guys down since they want me with their group really bad, but I don't want to be in between jobs at 27, i don't really feel like changing jobs right now or sacrificing too much, but also don't want to be a dork.... 6 years ago i would have said

"F*ck the job, I'm following the Music" but now i'm hesitant..

 

 

 

Any suggestions/advice/insults???

[HokeyReligions]

My gut reaction -- keep your job. Find someone you KNOW can do a good job for the band on the road and you hire that person (you said you wanted to start your own business). You won't make any money from this because the guy you hire will only get whatever you would have received had you gone on the road. In the meantime, you can provide a direct link so the guy you hire will be able to call you with any questions or problems and you can ask that he check in each day and go over with you how the job is going. This will provide a level of confidence to the band because they will know that you are still in charge of sound even though you are not right there, and when they are back in town you can handle their sound needs. It will also help as you are building your own company.

 

Is that a possible solution for you?

 

I guess I'm thinking that if you are thinking of getting married the security of a good job is important. Then again - so is your dream. How does your prospective wife feel about it?

[FelixTheCat]

she wants me to do what i feel inside, She believes in me and loves me..

 

 

Well, It's just the sort of thing where...If they see that i'm not the kind that can just Up and Go with them

whenever they want, They'll find someone else since they want to go out of town a lot, they quit their jobs and are living back at home with family so they can just leave whenever, but the tours seem so half-a$$ and poorly planned, sort of a "we'll play with whoever,whenever!!" And I don't feel like risking my job for that.. I sort of mentioned all of this to them

and they're making it out like it would be a big mistake for me to quit the band, because something could

happen for them, then i'd be left behind, but they sort of understand in a way.

 

I like the security of this job, it's not my favorite job in the whole world, in fact I'm hoping to open that biz or

get something more towards the music side of things for my career(longterm). I just feel like i'm being forced to make

a quick decision on what I really want to do or which direction I should go.

 

I know, I know, I should just do what I feel in my gut, right?

[moimeme]

but the tours seem so half-a$$ and poorly planned, sort of a "we'll play with whoever,whenever!!" And I don't feel like risking my job for that.. I sort of mentioned all of this to them

and they're making it out like it would be a big mistake for me to quit the band, because something could

happen for them, then i'd be left behind, but they sort of understand in a way.

 

Of course they'll say that they're going to make it - they'd be nuts to be in the business if they didn't believe they were goin to. Every single American Idol wannabe thinks stardom is for the taking.

 

But let me give you a bit of perspective. There was a local band in a city I lived in. They would show up at free events around town to play - and draw BIG crowds. They've now been on several world tours, had a PBS video made of them, and command concert prices in big halls. Don't know if you've seen them - Barrage is the name.

Bottom line is if this group isn't popular now, what could possibly make them more so? Will they suddenly become more talented?

 

Don't let them guilt you into doing something you don't really want to do. When it comes to money and jobs, often it's the person who's the most loyal who gets left behind in the dust.

[Kristine]

Keep the stable job for now, and continue working on the weekends with local bands. You mentioned starting your own business, gather info., build up your savings, get a business plan together, and go for it! Then you can ultimately work in a field you love and still have the security you desire in the meantime. Once you have a business plan together put your energy into getting things running there (part-time). Once that takes off then quit your stable job.

 

If you really want to jump ship to tour with this band than that is your decision. Yes it's a risk but is the risk worth taking? If you aren't sure this is the band for you then wait until you get with one that is. There will be another band along that would love to have someone with your experience. You'll never know if you don't take a risk. Listen to your intuition. You have a wonderful, supportive, girlfriend. I'm sure she'll stick with you.

 

Oh and what I've found that works well is listing goals. Make a list of your ideal job with everything you can think of. Write it down and if it's for your highest good it will come to you. I'm also working on what some would consider a pipe dream, only I believe a way to achieve it will be presented to me. I also believe your dream isn't a dream at all, but probably and possible. You just need to believe it. Someone is out there earning a living in your ideal field, you can too.