I still enjoy it most of the time, but I'm happy with just a couple nights a week. I don't do bars anymore and haven't in years. I still do the occasional private party, but usually I just play the same place. I don't have to move equipment, just walk in and play.
Sometimes you feel that if you have to do Mustang Sally, Browneyed Girl, etc., ONE MORE TIME, you will gag. I have a way of tricking myself. I will try to do it as if it's the first time I've ever played that song. Sometimes I will experiment with different styles, lead sounds, etc., to freshen it up. Occasionally, I'll pull up a midi file and play with that, to remind me how it's SUPPOSED to go.
I was recently invited to record an interview with a local art gallery, Norton Art Gallery. They are recording interviews with successful local musicians, and those that started locally and moved on to bigger things, in an effort to preserve the musical heritage and history of the area. They will eventually devote an area of the gallery for exhibiting the interviews, along with photos and other local musical history memorabilia.
There were some questions asked that caused me to reflect on my career, and my future. If anyone is interested you can hear it, but it is pretty long and pretty personal to the area. I was honored to be invited though!
At this point, I'm able to pursue fishing and golf and family four or five days and nights a week, and then "escape" to my world of music for two or three nights. As I've said, I get to play music, people tell me they like it, give me money, feed me, applaud me...WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE??!!
If it gets to the point that either I'd rather be doing something else, or that they stop inviting me to play, then I will have no problem walking away. Or maybe kicking and screaming as they drag me away.