All the advice offered above is exactly what I needed, good stuff. Thanks for such thorough replies and shoot of more if anyone thinks of anything.

Just some background for anyone who cares, I've seen a few posts on "am I too old to learn, ...etc"

Well, I'm 40, starting playing only 3 - 4 years ago. Since then, I've learned around 100 songs, played open mics and coffee houses, parties for friends, started a band, and now playing a small place for what I think is our first "real" gig.

So, anyone who asks, "am I too old", I'd answer with your limits are only what you set on yourself, nothing else matters.

And, I'm not a "natural" musician either. Seriously, I'm a former elementary school principal and now I'm a statistician, married with kids. So, I'm a plain old, normal nerd who likes heavy metal and rock music.

Life has no boundaries, only people perceive boundaries.