And I know a lot of people who turned down some great oppurtunities becuase they didn't want to risk losing the quality of life there dayjobs offered them. It's hard to walk away from an employer who's paying for your health benefits and matching your social security tax, no matter how much you hate the job.

Just one circumstance...this sax player I use to do occasional private party gigs with got offered to go on tour w/the Roots, he turned it down becuase he wouldn't be able to maintain his lifestyle he had grown accustomed too (new car payments, condo, etc, etc).

Sure, you can always work full time and be a "week end warrior" musician for fun...and if that's all you want to do is play in a rock band that's probably the way to go. But to be a serious player and do lots of "hired gun" gigs, studio work, tours, theater work, etc., you really have to pursue it full time.