What is (or was, if you're retired) your occupation? I would be interested in knowing what everyone does for a living. Music alone rarely pays the bills, unless you're in a working wedding/event band.
What do you do (or have done) to pay the bills? I'll bet there are a myriad of occupations represented here.
For me, it's been progressive: - Electrical Mechanic - Electrician (Power Station Operations) - (Back to University) - Electronic instrument designer - (Back to University) - Computer programmer - Software developer for Real-time operating systems
(Oh, and Part time musician along the way)
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
For me, it's been progressive: - Electrical Mechanic - Electrician (Power Station Operations) - (Back to University) - Electronic instrument designer - (Back to University) - Computer programmer - Software developer for Real-time operating systems
(Oh, and Part time musician along the way)
Wow.....you sure seem to like University!
With your experience, you should be teaching at a Uni!
Simplified resume...... I started playing in bands in 1997.
1994-1996 - Honeywell factory assembly worker. Assembled automotive vane sensors (for ignition systems) for Bosch and the big auto companies. 1996-2001 - Evaluation Test Lab technician - Got to test and kill electronic proximity sensors for Honeywell. This was done by putting them through environmental tests like low/high temperature thermal shock, vibration/shock drop, low/high voltages and currents. This was my first electronics job from the DeVry education I mentioned to Billy. 2001-2004 - CAD/CAM Technician - This was the start of my shift to IT by supporting systems that draftsman used to make electronic blueprints. It was also my first introduction to HP Unix, a very big step towards supporting Linux in later years. 2005-2007 - Worked a few miscellaneous IT Help Desk jobs after having moved to St. Louis. Took a couple of steps back here during the move from NW Illinois so I could stay employed. 2007-2018 - Scottrade - I supported trading servers that were used by our online customers. Scottrade was bought out by TD Ameritrade in my last year of service and I walked away with a nice severance package due to my years there. 2018+ - Still working in the IT finance industry and will reach retirement age in about 10 years.
My first job, kill and catch anything I could eat. We were hungry poor. Second job collecting eatable stuff from the farmers market to feed hogs. The first paying job. 50 cents per hour...man was I rich!!
For a period of time I worked for a company that did not exist in places we never were do stuff we never did.
Some University education...needed money...did not finish.
Construction worker, construction manager, more school, Owner of computer business. Director of a major bank, R&D in gas plasma physics, corporate pilot, commercial boat master, owned a couple of 18 wheelers (pretty stupid idea) consolidated business accusations for Universal Studios.
I've also been a newspaper deliverer, burger flipper, electronic salesperson, video game salesperson, computer systems administrator, electronics production technician, musical instrument salesperson and technician (guitars and electronics), equipment rentals and tester, studio engineer, and electronics components shipper and warehouser. Some of those jobs were fun, others maybe not so much!
lifeguard (still the best job ever) junior high music teacher (blech) electronics store manager retail computer center manager (first between New York and Montreal) regional education coordinator for computer literacy training classes computer science professor dean of academic affairs retired 20 years; running various non-profits for the town
throughout, professional musician since 1963
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
I started out as a Telecommunication Technician Spent years working on juke boxes, pinballs, video games and pool tables. Then a year as a tech on Office Equipment Then a couple of years as a Computer hardware tech for a university where I also studied at that time also part time teaching introductory electronics at a TAFE (adult education place). Moved states and worked as a Data Communications Officer for a couple of Govt Depts. The Govt outsourced the Data Communications and some of us went to the contractor so I spent time as an Internetworking Specialist. Then back to the Govt working for the Education Department first as a help centre manager then back to data communication where I was tasked with transforming the way all data and voice comms were done.
Then retired.
Basically always working in some form of voice or data communications.
Picked up several qualifications on the way including an Assoc Dip App Sc (Computing), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), a number of Electronic and Communications Certificates and also several Computer related papers.
You got most of it.
HP i7-4770 16GB 1TB SSD, Win 10 Home, Focusrite 2i2 3rd Gen, Launchkey 61, Maton CW80, Telecaster, Ovation Elite TX, Yamaha Pacifica 612 BB 2022(912) RB 2022(2), CakeWalk, Reaper 6, Audacity, Melodyne 5 Editor, Izotope Music Production Suite 4.1
The high school years involved a lot of farm work.
During undergrad school ('64-'68) I managed and booked rock bands and worked occasionally in a studio that a buddy and I leased to record aforementioned bands.
After grad school came work in clinical psychology and later the director of a 150 bed developmental disabilities facility. All under the auspices of the State of Ga. Retired in '99 and consulted 8 more years for a total of 40 years. Janice was a most excellent office manager of a community mental health program. I also played in bluegrass bands off and on for 30 years and along with Janice after our 1982 marriage.
Nowadays it's write and produce the occasional song and spend a LOT of time hiking, mountain biking, trail building, looking after the homestead and other outdoors things.
Bud
PS Cool thread ... enjoying it.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
I worked 39 years in R&D for Eastman Kodak, remember them? I was in core research (the blue sky think tank) for the last 10 years and I was fortune enough to be on 25 patents in the fields of aqueous formulations, and aqueous mixing and coating techniques. I also taught guitar since around 1970 and played in a wedding band since then.
{edit} - I should have added that I have been retired for a few years now.
Last edited by MarioD; 05/04/2101:55 PM.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Since the 1970s I've worked as a session musician and freelance producer doing stuff for various labels and the BBC, but like Bob said in his OP it's not a reliable or regular income, so to pay the bills I'm a forensic mathematician, also working in operational research, system efficiency and forecasting.
These days I'm trying to retire and just spend a couple of days a week teaching music, but I keep getting dragged back to work from time to time. At least it pays for us to go travelling which is something we love, though it also keeps me away from the forum sometimes, which is something I miss.
my wife says my job is to be her bad boy lol she is still trying to reform me to no avail.
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 05/04/2101:54 PM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
Trainee Baker & Confectioner, that ended when I developed lung problems due to the flour and milk powder. Which was a shame as I loved the job.
Warehouse man for Kay & Co, the UK’s largest catalogue company at the time. Stock Control for same company.
A 6 month gap as I went off touring Europe on my motorcycle, this ended up being a 4 1/2 year gap as I toured further afield, picking up work here and there mostly on farms.
Once back in the UK I got a job working for a print company, this was supposed to be a stop gap job. I ended up being there for 21 years, rising to deal with all the digital design and production for several huge companies.
Had to stop work at 50 due to injury. In just over a month I reach retirement age.
Me? Chemical engineer working international operations for Germany's Bayer and France's Rhone-Poulenc from Director of Technical Operations to Director of Manufacturing. Retired...then started to do supply chain and process optimization consulting for 6 years. Retired again...Then did a 2 year stint as Operations Manager for a 5 plant chemical operation in Illinois. Retired...again...this time for good...10 years ago.
A professional musician has been my main income for most of my life.
I've played dive bars, show clubs, singles clubs, cruise ships, yacht clubs, country clubs, private affairs, weddings, and even was the opening act for headliners in concert when their songs were #1 on Billboard.
I was in a band that almost "made it" but the talks with the record company fizzled out over money (Motown didn't want to pay any).
I've had two 'day jobs' in my life, always while playing music on the weekend, as I was investigating what it was to be 'normal'. One was as a telephone repairman and one as a Cable TV field engineer. Neither one lasted that long. I found that normal was overrated for me.
Now I make my living mostly by playing live music for yacht clubs, country clubs and other adult venues. I have a part-time 'moonlighting' job writing aftermarket style e-disks and fake e-disks for Band-in-a-Box.
The mortgage is paid off, I have zero debt, low stress levels, excellent health. I get up in the morning, go to bed at night, and in between do what I want to do and what I love to do. I consider that success.
I met my wife when she was in another band. Now we are a duo together, I make my own backing tracks, and we hav tons of fun together on and off the gig.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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