Re: Re: should musicians have a second job?

[Jim Goodin <jimgoodinmusic@gmail.com>]

Rick despite my own spin I do applaud those you find a way.  As I stated I do know it does not come without trades and I think the biggest for those in the States is the choice of whether not to have healthcare or not as you have done.  I briefly did that for a few years in my 20's and I think it's a tragedy that our country does not have a better solution.  These days with a family, a type 1 diabetic daughter, healthcare is imperative.  Realizing though everyone's journey is different cool you have as I'e known since I met you in 07, pulled it off in your 'own way'.

J

On Thu, Jan 13, 2011 at 6:32 PM, Rick Walker <looppool@cruzio.com> wrote:

On 7/22/64 11:59 AM, Todd Howell wrote:

If they want to eat. Being a pro musician was great when chemical amusement was free and the girlfriend and I lived on her student loans. American loopers, you need health insurance or else you are royally ****ed when you get ill or injured. Living outside of the established economy is grand fun until serious life changes occur. I am happier now in my middling health care job while not dealing with the business side of the music business. Lets' face it, alot of the people you have to deal with in the business are pretty reptilian. Every club you play, every event, every booking agent is a boss. Wedding gigs were even worse. Don't get me started. Now, I have one boss. So I started to realize there wasn't much freedom in that life. I had a lot of bosses and four bandmates. It was all of the irritants of marriage without sex.

I respect your experiences and conclusions, Todd,  but not everyone has the same experiences
and not everyone's solutions are the proper solutions.

I've been a professional musician without a day job for 34 years now..........without health care.
I won't tell you that it's been easy, but I feel blessed to have lived the life I have lived.

Does it have it's drawbacks..........certainly...........I've been forced to cancel a quarter of my months' income
because this week because  I have the flu and am going to NAMM (hopefully) this weekend..........
that's a stressor for sure.   But in my own case (and I truly don't think I have the answer for anyone outside of myself)  I've been able to be music for my whole adult life without a lot of compromise and that has it's rewards.......though they are frequently spiritual and not monetary.

So,  I support your solution.   Truly I do,  but I would ask that you also have compassion for my own
solution , though it differs from yours.

respectfully,
rick walker

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From Brooklyn To Glindran, a new World/Free Jazz recording by Jim Goodin & Peter Thörn.  Proceeds
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