FULL EPISODE: Musician Burn out? —Or Do You Just Not Want This Anymore?

Every working musician eventually has the post-gig drive home where they wonder, “Can I keep doing this?” But are you actually done with music—or are you exhausted by the schedule, the load-ins, the late nights, the weather cancellations, the band management and everything else surrounding the hour you spend onstage? This week, Adam and Dan try to separate burnout from genuinely no longer wanting the musician lifestyle. They discuss how resentment toward the logistics can bury your love of performing, why taking a weekend off cannot fix a dysfunctional band, and how your identity as “the music person” can make stepping back feel like failure. Dan also opens up about his extended break from gigging after foot surgery, the difficulty of rebuilding momentum and the possibility that returning to music may not mean rebuilding the exact same version of his old band. Also discussed: Adam’s epic backstage hang at the Chicago and Styx show Adam’s new Behringer Flow 8 solo setup with Jamzone Automating live band karaoke with BandLeader and AbleSet The “good music, good money, good people” test Rediscovering music without trying to monetize it When stepping away is healthier—and more professional—than staying Dan accepts a six-week challenge to get back into a room and make some noise The better question may not be, “Should I quit?” It may be: What exactly am I tired of—and would I still want this if that part changed? ---------------------------------------- Thank you so much for tuning in! If you want to help be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! BANDLEADER RESOURCES: https://www.coverbandconfidential.com/links Follow us on Instagram! @coverbandconfidential @adampatrickjohnson @danraymusician If you have any questions please email at: [email protected] Consider supporting us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/coverbandconfidential Or buy us a cup of coffee! paypal.me/cbconfidential And for more info check out www.coverbandconfidential.com Gear Used in this Video (Affiliate): Sony ZV-E10 Mirrorless Camera: https://amzn.to/3DBqtOy Elgato Prompter: https://amzn.to/3X3IAq8 Shure SM7B: https://amzn.to/4dDCJx0 Elgato Stream Deck XL: https://amzn.to/3gKjhqi Magic Arm Camera Friction Mount: https://amzn.to/3SK5yNk Time Stamps: 00:00 Tommy Shaw Cold Open 00:13 Chicago And Styx Recap 01:38 Upcoming Karaoke Gig 02:14 Flow8 And Jam Zone Rig 04:56 Automating Karaoke Workflow 05:51 Patreon Correction And Review 08:01 Burnout Vs Being Done 12:39 What Burnout Feels Like 19:02 When You Dont Want It 21:39 Dans Post Surgery Reset 23:38 Side Guy Temptation 24:28 Music Identity Crisis 28:06 Teaching Bass at Home 29:02 Sunk Cost Reality Check 31:56 Pick Two Rule 33:53 Testing the Waters 38:48 When to Step Away 41:38 Better Questions to Ask 43:40 Labor Day Challenge 44:39 Final Thoughts and Signoff