Here's my 2 cents and I can really appreciate where Russ is coming from. I give him credit for having the talent to be able to walk away and play what he wants.

Going back 37 years ago when I was a youngster I had my sights set high in music. At the time I was studying piano, but instead of gigging I was working as a bartender helping to pay my education. I wasn't where I wanted to be musically(never was either). I use to slam all the musicians who played the clubs/restaurants where I tended bar. Ah listen to the crap this guy is playing, Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree, Me and Mrs. Jones, Deliah, you get the picture. I swore I would never play that music ever. I just wanted to play classical and jazz forget that top 40 crap. Shortly after I quickly realized I didn't have the talent to be a the jazz or classical pianist I aspired to be. So I pretty much walked away from music, but continued to play at home, took a different direction on how to earn my keep.

Fast forward to about 4 years ago playing OMB and solo piano here and there. Guess whast I'm playing "all the crap" I swore I would never play. But I'm having some fun earning a few bucks in the process. As a rule I never turn down gigs unless I happen to be booked the same date and time. In retrospect I missed all those years where I could have been playing the music I play today and maybe have had more enjoyment in the process. C'est La Vie.