Re: Going pro?
Originally Posted by
allenhopkins
I am a "pro," if by that you mean someone who (generally) gets paid to play music.
I am not a "pro," if by that you mean someone who supports himself and his dependents through playing music.
As a retired civil servant, I have a decent pension, which pays the bills. I play around 200 gigs a year, almost all "small potatoes" -- seniors' facilities, historical societies, regional festivals, private parties. I gross in the low five figures doing this. The money goes partially to pay music-related expenses, including payments to other musicians with whom I work, partially to fund my ongoing instrument acquisitions, and partially into a "rainy day fund."
I have to agree with almost everything Allen said. All of that applies to me as well. I never envisioned myself on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and at 71, that's not likely to ever happen unless they have a show featuring 71-year-old mandolin pickers with beards who live in Georgia, drive a Kia Sorento, were born in April and have cockatiels. I do make a little money at it and it supports my MAS and Starbucks and golfing habits. On my tax return, I list my occupation as "musician" because that's the only paying work I do and I do deduct strings, mandolins, set-up, etc. every year.
Our band has had a regular gig for over 3 years now. In addition, we do the parties, wedding receptions, barn raisings, snake stompings and benefits. We've recently put out our second CD. If, for whatever reason, I had to give it up tomorrow....well, I had a good run and enjoyed it.
(DISCLAIMER: Allen and I are not related, as far as I know, and I'm sure it's with glee that Allen confirms that fact.)
David Hopkins
2001 Gibson F-5L mandolin
Breedlove Legacy FF mandolin; Breedlove Quartz FF mandolin
Gibson F-4 mandolin (1916); Blevins f-style Octave mandolin, 2018
McCormick Oval Sound Hole "Reinhardt" Mandolin
McCormick Solid Body F-Style Electric Mandolin; Slingerland Songster Guitar (c. 1939)
The older I get, the less tolerant I am of political correctness, incompetence and stupidity.
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