I work for Home Depot so my schedule is always changing but I usually have one weekday off for the heavy duty practicing.  Since wifey sings in my band, she is also tolerant of my practicing in the basement music room.

Roger

My screen name might suggest what I do besides play drums. I have been a chef at Princeton University for nearly 8 years. I feel I must include a rather interesting piece of video as I got to compete in an Iron Chef style food competition..and won. The following video is more of a teaser until they release the whole thing. I would be the bloke with the funny black cap and the glasses, and making the stupid face while standing behind the announcer(my boss btw).

http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/multimedia/player.xml?videopath=/main/news/archive/S20/78/49G46/index.xml&auto_play=true&section=mm-featured

doug, that was cool, man! congrats on the win. what'dyou guys dish up? coz that baramundi looked, ehhhh...challenging.

i so wanna go to culinary school, man. hard work, but so cool.

well, I was on my way to the unemployment office when a funny thing happend.  After applying for adjunct positions at local univeristies, one, Christopher Newport University, decided to hire me as a new full-time faculty member.  So, I'll be back to teaching organic chemistry and environmental geochemistry come the Fall '08.  Until then, golf, gigs and making drum shells!

just happy to have a paycheck again...Bob

I had a day job in middle-management for 14 years... concurrent with my career with Weird Al. I was lucky to be in a situation where I could leave for tour for months at a time - and return - which I did about 7 times throughout my employment. I dare say that most companies would not permit such activity, but it happened to be a fortuitous arrangement which I truly valued. I did eventually leave in 1996 and have been a full-time musician since.

Despite my being either on tour or at my desk at any given time, I also found that I was playing more in those days than at any other time in my life. Perhaps it was the need to relax by playing evenings and weekends, or maybe I didn't have a wife to go home to at the time, or maybe I was younger and could play in several bands at once.

But it was actually a very prolific period for me, and I try to explain that to musicians who think that if they have a day job, it will somehow take from their pursuit of music. The fact is, it probably enhances their pursuits, and there's nothing like a regular paycheck to pay for new gear... gas... rent... food...

I miss the old camaraderie of fellow employees, many of whom are still my friends, but I also treasure being at home and enjoying time for myself. In future, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to 'work', most likely in entertainment or music manufacturing.

Bermuda

i'm so glad you brought this up!

i've known a lot of musicians over the years who've suffered from this syndrome. the irony is that they were not that productive with their music.

i think when you have to work and multi-task and really prioritize your roles and responsibilities, you get more done. also think being part of the 'daily grind' folk gives you more fodder for your creative pursuits. it's reality, and that makes for some cool music, literature, art...whatever. yes, it's stressful when you have a gig right after work, but it's also exciting, and it forces you to focus your efforts.

i've found that when i have a lot of free time on my hands, i turn into an oprah-watchin', bon-bon eating, no-shower-takin' schlub. that's cool on vacation, but not for everyday livin'.

busy is good!