[tbeltrans]

I played full time in a trio on the Holiday Inn and supper club circuit for about two years in the late 70s. Though it was fun for a while, I realized that it was not the life form e. Had I stayed in it, I would have ended up hating music by the time I was ready to retire. I am glad I got out of it. I do wonder how many people REALLY make a living playing full time aside from those fortunate enough to make it with a wide audience to support them. It seems to me that more often than not, there is an understand spouse taking up the financial slack somewhere along the line. In general, musicians are not treated particularly well and that can get really old after a while.

I have been treated rather well on the job as a software engineer and would not describe my job in the dreary terms people often describe corporate jobs. I have been paid well and will be able to retire early enough to have a lot of good years doing other things.

Tony