Just another take on the oft repeated "Don't quit your day job" quote. If you are in a vibrant music locale, and have steady employment other than music, then keep the paycheck and keep workin on your music.
You can gig at night and get exposure etc. Your day job will give you the reality check should any offer come along that would entice you to resign the day job. Lots of quotes like this to be found. "What's the difference between a musician and a large pizza?" A large pizza can feed a family of four!
Lot's of our old school heroes had a craft other than music to pay the rent when times are tough. I would be willing to wager few of the blues artists that inspired the rock of the 60's did not have a journeyman's card in some other trade. I repeat that I am not a pro musician. However I am retired with a very nice pension as I chose another path. I love to play music and enjoy getting paid for a gig but my other specialty still pays more per hour when I do a little contract work there. IMHO music is a pursuit of love and is poorly compensated except for the fortuneate few. Not based on talent necessarily either. Just look at the demographics of who spends money on music. You would be better served learning to rap or sing boy band stuff than play bass. It's kinda like the playground or highschool phenom basketball player who lets the academics slide cause he is sure he will be picked up by the NBA. Bad odds on that bet. sorry for the rant. It actually sucks to be a young person in this world economy so Good Luck!
