Rule #1 The sooner you start preparing the less you have to put away each month.

My playing career was based on what I loved doing and supporting my wife and four children. Most my playing was Friday to Sunday. I had four to five jobs each week and I was happy to put down my guitar Sunday evening; I had enough. By time Friday came I was pumped ready to go.

I realized early in life that the percentage of musician who earned a good living with good retirement were very few. Also most fulltime musicians played many jobs they hated to play – because of dollars. The reason I did not have that problem is because I always had a daytime job; teaching guitar, selling securities, and now tuning pianos. My jobs never brought in small dollars because I stayed in the catering field; wedding ect.

My philosophy: I did not have to play as many jobs as the fulltime musician and I did not have to make the money that some of the daytime workers earned. I did put in hours but the combined income was more than average. I lived in one of the finest areas in Long Island (New York) there always seemed to be enough money.

I am now playing one job a week and I thank God I am able to do it. I also thank God that he hasn’t sent me a second job. (smile)
I
can only talk like this because I am on the other side – I’ve lived it.

John C.