Hey Raman! Congratulations and be careful I shared with you my episodes of playing in clubs after I surrendered in '84.It was a combination of things.The guys in the band using,the smoke filled rooms and being out "during vampire hours"We know who's out there at the time of nights I had to play 11:00 PM-3:0O A.M. ,TEAR DOWN DRIVE HOME SUN'S COMING UP!!If you are a musician work may entail night hours but it is our responsibility as addicts to keep close with our sponsor,recognize any 'WELL MAYBE IDEAS" and keep God in the mix(on top)I am praying on, joining a "praise and worship" band at my church just to be able to play again and feel like im in a "safe" environment.I do believe God has allowed us to have a talent in this area and I feel like I should share it with others but due to "technical difficulties( 25 years of addiction)I must remain diligent in where I put myself.Remain strong,trust in God,stay extra vigilante,stay close to support(closer than ever) and 'Sing a mean tune kid,sock em in the guts yeah,yeah yeah (Chicago 5,believe early 90"s,little blur there :) One thing we can Hope our HP has instilled in us thru the years is the continued ability to 'SEE OURSELVES COMING" and take action!!!peace my friend.words from the peanut gallery!!

Problem has been that my sponsor(B) is out of contact. 
Im taking a lot of heed from Mike though,,,my guide at MIP....

Im taking input from this Forum too. Thanks a lot Don and Terry,,,

Its like I observed this day that this place is real decent family type. I changed from a position where I had to look at bottles and the bar in front to looking at the people that are there, for whom Im supposed to be playing the music. I had good response today.
 
The point is, here i am at age 49, and not knowing how else Il earn a living. If I had to stop playing music where alcohol is served, then Id be doing only 10 percent of the shows Im doing now. And I dont know how else id earn a living.

You know ?? Id waited 10 years in recovery to start playing and my sponsor of that time and previous sponsor encouraged my getting back into music. 
Now having played music in all sorts of places for the last 12 years continously I see that many, many of those events were in restraunts and hotels. These hotels and restraunts have patronised my art and I seem to come across as dependable and honest and trustworthy, a direct result of the 12 Steps of NA. 

Ive never had to encounter temptation or a real urge to drink alcohol, thank God. 
Id taken a cue from the AA Big Book where it refers to visitintg bars or parties etc
" Do we have genuine business or are we there for vicarious pleasure ?". 

Many times have I tried to do something else,, none of them have been as paying, successful or fulfilling like music. Music has been my calling.

-- Edited by Raman on Thursday 6th of May 2010 04:16:31 PM

Im backing all that up with phone calls to NA's in the breaks and attendance at meetings on other evenings,,

Most importantly, I could feel you guys wee there in the spirit with me this evening,,, thanks.

Raman! Lord you are so faithful,I put my trust in you!You are simply where God has placed you..Wonderful muscianship and enlightening lyrics(again not endorsing any particular religion,but so God based). Bankers hours man,out by 10:30 !!!!iI AM VERY HAPPY FOR YOU .With a blessing from God to use music as a form of communication with Him and others it would be a serious loss not to be playing.Terry has also said it well,we must be able to be among people .places and things as long as we are in a spiritual realm where we need to be.You'll be fine,use your ESH to know what you need to do.Have fun and most of all raise a "joyful noise " to the God of your understanding to give him the glory.Great Licks my friend,loved it.thanks,,,,,

Hey Guys,KIND WORDS,but we are all blessed to be guided by our ultimate sponsor, the God of our understanding.There is no way I get this twisted,WE do this thing together...  On solid rock I stand ,all other ground is sinking sand!