georgejungle Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 My issue right now is my job and providing for my wife and child, being a (a now) ex-musician turned day jobber & college dropout. I make o.k. income, but it's just o.k. for us to live, eat well and have a good roof over our heads. i LOVE my wife and our new little family, LOVE it. I'm always there for my wife and she is so very supportive of me. I love her. She always supported me and my music in the past, when we were younger. But At times i feel like I shoulda tried harder to achieve what i wanted to with music. I don't live with regret, but now i'm at a point where i can't really justify trying to play music anymore or perform locally or taking any risks, when I should be maybe looking into a different career path, so i can send the kiddo to a university someday. I think what burns me is that i KNOW that i'm good. I know i'm a good musician. Great ears, great team player within a group or in a recording session, etc. I'm not conceited and i'm not the most fluent virtuoso at my instrument, but i have a lot to offer. But i always just followed others and at times never pushed myself as hard as i could have, to try and get a foot in the door, push myself out there more. I'm not talking silly rock star dreams. Just the opportunity to work and play with people i admire and make good money doing what I love playing jazz, working on commercial jingles, pop/folk, rock, whatever etc. Now i'm left with no time or extra money to do any of that stuff. Don't get me wrong, i deep down inside love my new role as father and husband and provider but i'm kinda lost as far as deciding what to do next in terms of a new Career, since i didn't go to college. I aspire to bigger and better things. Don't we all? But i need a push in the right direction...if not the right direction, somwhere in the general vicinity and i'll figure out the rest of the way. It's just a tad frustrating. I'm cool, calm and collected, but it can eat away at me somedays. Link to post Share on other sites
norajane Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 You have responsibilities to your family, and I commend you for wanting to live up to those, even though it may mean setting your dreams aside for now. The good news is, you don't have to give up your dreams forever. Your priority is your family right now, but at a later time once you are more settled and financial concerns are less of a worry, you can re-ignite your musical spark and try again. It is what it is now, and you have to work within your current set of circumstances, but it won't be that way forever. Link to post Share on other sites
Author georgejungle Posted January 14, 2009 Author Share Posted January 14, 2009 the one thing i struggle with is, well, if i do put the 'dream' aside for now, What Should I Do to make more money? my kids are definitely going to college, because i really wish that i had. That whole, "you need to have something to fall back on" message never processed in my brain years ago.. I took school for granted. Now i'm stuck with the reality of putting my dream aside to find more substantial income in a more stable racket, when i don't have a degree to get me in any doors. I do alright, but i could never buy a house with what i make now... Link to post Share on other sites
beautifulearth83 Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Hey there George. I resonate with your post a bit because I'm in a way on the other side of the fence. I had a decent job and my own place and lived close to my family, but I decided I needed to take a chance and get out of the routine and so I left and moved east. I myself am a musician; and this escapade, for lack of a better word, has in many ways paid off, but it can be lonely and I miss family and home. I know you're not looking to run away or anything like that, I'm just offering some perspective. Music will always be there for you. You'll find time my friend. As far as a career, there are many good job opportunities that don't require a college degree. Perhaps you could even find something that could network you with people involved in music. Best of luck, hope this has helped Link to post Share on other sites
Author georgejungle Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 hey BeautyEarth, thanks for the insight, appreciated. You're right and NoraJane is right, the music or the ''dream'' will always be there. I agree. I'll find something new, i'm more about the "family" than i am about the "music". I'll pick it up and start creating music again, when i can afford to give my time to it. I like the idea of "finding something that could network me with people involved in music" or even something involved with it. We'll see what happens. Thanks! Good luck to you with your Music, BeautyEarth! Link to post Share on other sites
sared Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 You don't have to choose. You can get another job and still do music on the side. You are now a father and a husband and family always comes first. Link to post Share on other sites
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