Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 11/23/2008

Question
Hi, I absolutely love singing, performing and writing songs but I'm not sure that I'm doing the right thing for a career. I don't like the idea of touring for months and months on end, never seeing family or friends and never getting time for anything other than singing and touring, etc. What should I do? I really love singing and would be disappointed if I never got to perform, but I don't think I could stand the things that go with it as a career. Thanks for your advice!

Answer
Hi there, Liz.  Thanks for writing.  

It's great that you love singing.  And it's great that you want to perform.  Do you want to make a living at it?  If you do, there are some things about having a career and making a living with singing that you may have to do and probably will not like.  I know of many artists who don't like the touring part but they do their best with it.  

Making something like this full time and your life means that it is going to be a different kind of life.  But you can make some other changes that will help you not to compromise your wishes.  

For e.g. you can take your family with you on the road.  Or you can only tour during certain times of the year.  Things like this.

Another thing that touring artists do is they make it a point to have a phone call or video conference with family and friends every week at a scheduled and particular time.  This is time that is not compromised for anything.  

So there are things that you can do to eliminate some of this angst.

Honestly, there is no other way to promote yourself than to get your talent out there.  And touring does do that for you.  

I would find an agent in the music biz and get some advice about this.  You don't have to sign with an agent to get some advice to my knowledge.  Just go and ask some questions.  

Of course, another option is to not make it your living and to just do it as much as you can.  Find ways to promote yourself when you can and to who you can. Your career and your opportunities will not grow as fast but it will not take over your life either.  

Does that help at all?

Wanda