Music Will set You Free

You kind of have 2 options as a musician, especially a working musician!! which signifies to me, that this is your primary source of income and ,yes you are a real musician. But this is where it always got a little hairy for me.
Ok. So you want to play music full time as your occupation. This doesn't apply to the people who are schooled in it and actually studied and can become teacher's and mentor's, my f'ing hat's off to them, but to me that is so boring it would equate like me working for the gas company. Do not misinterpret this!! I am saying cheers to them, but I am talking about the other bunch who want to play music for a living and be successful, and either take the money or make a difference.
So, now that I have been doing this since I was 15 and now I am 53, you should really take my advice since, I really haven't earned a dime, but have a head full of special life changing memories and to me, I'm just getting started!! Isn't that weird? But it is so true.
So the 2 ways are as we said when we were 15-16, you follow your dreams to the bitter end, and either you do it or you don't. Then there are the guys that are really talented, but they end up playing farmed out gigs at country clubs, corporate events and stuff, playing, Margaritaville and Brown Eyed Girl!!
Well, because I had the luxury of having the brains to actually make some money in the business world I really never went to the cover side. You see I couldn't. I figured, hey those guys wrote that song and shit good luck to their hit, why do I want to replicate that? I didn't and never have. But there was a small window where I tried it and it was horrible!! You have these OCD, musicians who tell you, NO, Dude you missed the A7 chord going into the chorus???? Really???? Like I give a Rat's ass about an A7 chord, you see it is all about feel, and even now, when we do play a cover, in earnest, it don't sound like the original song, it sounds like our version of the original song. So that's all for now, music will set you free, and it always has for me. Oh look I rhymed and didn't realize, but I guess I did because I pointed it out. anyway, I think you really have to feel it, and follow your heart. The other stuff is really something you need to figure out. I think that original songwriting is a gift from OUTERSPACE, and a hit is just meant to be!! I have written some of my best material in literally 10 minutes flat. I am still trying to write this one song I have been humming for 18 years!!! Go figure....... Anyway, it is still fun and my life long passion so I am not going anywhere until I am on the other side of the grass. Peace to All!! Jo