[quote name='blue' timestamp='1436471802' post='2818501']
I personally wouldn't define gigging once a month as a hobby, it's a bunch a guy getting together for a little social activity.
I'm retired so it's a little easier for me to do this without a 9-5 day job.
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There are months where we only play once a month. It's definitely not a little social thing as last year it paid for a two week holiday to the Maldives and a new car. There are some months, particularly the summer, where we play twice a week. In the UK there are a lot of really really great bands that do this. They put on a great show and essentially its the day job that allows them to use top end gear and use pro standard PA and lighting. You may think we are hobbyists but we are entertaining large numbers of people to a high standard at weddings, corporate functions etc. This forum is likely to be full of members who are playing at borderline pro standard but have to get up the next day to do a day job.
If you are retired and have another source of income, surely the only difference between you and the attorneys is that you are a little more rock n roll in your stage approach and you are a little further down the track in terms of how much playing you've done? Who knows they may do exactly the same thing as you when they retire and the multiple gigs a week may well improve their performance somewhat.