Seven Year Town

They say it's a seven year town. Nashville, Tennessee. Music City, USA. Aspiring musicians move here and think they are going to hit the ground running. In reality, you move here, struggle to make a living most likely as a bartender or waitress, play less music, and hear the same thing from everyone you meet. “Well, it's a seven year town, you know? You gotta stick around and pay your dues and then in about seven years everything will start clicking for you. You'll see. That's how it happened for my neighbor's brother-in-law. Yep, just keep at it.” I've been here for twelve. 

I've had a lot of little successes here and there and can make a living playing music. Growing up, that's all I ever wanted to be able to do. But, you never picture success as singing someone else's songs in a smoke-filled bar to people who may or may not care if you do it well. You see yourself playing to thousands of adoring fans, traveling on lavish tour buses across the country, living the dream! 
Well, I may be living the dream but in exchange I have traded any kind of normalcy for a perpetual state of living like a thirty-something college student. And most days, I wouldn't have it any other way. 
Hope you enjoy the ride as much as I have...