Yeah, I know what you mean TheLevitator, I used to be in a band for 5 years; we used to play all but one night a week and that was usually a Monday. We packed in two gigs on Saturday and usually the same on Sunday. Summer just kicked our personal life to the curb. Man that kind of schedule was tough on me (singer) and my vocal cords, that's for sure...
We had fun though - I actually quit my 9-5 job to pursue music - it was a dream
We did all kinds of stuff though - played for the military DOD Tours (went to Alaska and Greenland for 3 months), and like you, opened up for many name acts (most of which are no longer name acts)..
The highlight of my musical career was when the local radio stations played a song of mine on the radio for half a year. That was a real trip hearing it for the first time while driving down the road..
So my hat is off to you TheLevitator! Follow your dream because it gets harder as you get older. Maybe it will be for a lifetime or maybe you will miss the normal life and come back to earth like I did (I missed not being able to go to family holidays, weddings (only played at them) and every day things with the girldfriend). Either way, you will have fond memories to look back on!
Rock On and Up the Irons!
