TL;DR = I wanted to be a country music star but instead became a successful country songwriter for other artists and I haven't felt comfortable telling anyone in my family back home yet.
By the way, I'm in my mid 30s and I've been pursuing a career in music for over a decade. My "success" finally came about 3 years ago.
I made a throwaway for this because I'd rather it not be linked to my main account.
Anyway. I moved to Nashville quite a few years ago with the goal of being a successful country musician. I had developed a decent following in my hometown and surrounding towns, and I wrote my own music. Seemed like the thing to do was to move to Nashville. It wasn't so bad, I was/am good at it, but so are a lot of other people. I did some restaurant and construction work to support my passion, but it just never seemed to happen for me, at least not the way I wanted it to. I got tired of telling my family all the "exciting things" that were happening, because nothing ever seem to come of it. Then it seemed like the questions about what was going on became less and less common when I would come back home for holidays and whatever. It was almost like everyone knew what I was going to say.
So with all those years of playing around town, I did make some friends and meet people. I started writing with other people, as I've always enjoyed writing music, but for me to perform it. I became a member of one of the ASCAP/BMI/SESAC performing rights organizations early on, so there was that. Then all of a sudden, I find out that a song for which I wrote the melody, and a friend wrote pretty much all of the lyrics, and his friend had written a "riff/guitar lick", was impressive to someone who thought someone might be able to pitch it to this other someone who might like to perform it.
I had heard that crap a million times, but from the people I had met a long the way that strictly wanted to be songwriters. But then it actually happened, and this person actually cut the song. Then it ended up on their album, and then it got radio play. Then I got money. Then I got more money. Then everyone wanted to write with me, or me write with them, and it was overwhelming. I always felt like I had a knack for melody. I could contribute to this. But it wasn't what I wanted to do. There were lawyers, and publishing deals, and advances, and wining and dining. It was fun. I had made more money from one song than I think I made in my entire adult life so far. But I kept telling myself it was probably a one time thing, I got lucky. I was beat down and didn't want to tell my family as it all seemed to happen pretty fast. I was emotionally drained by my parents because every time I visited, I could just feel the disappointment. It would make me sad sometimes, but then make me mad because it was my life, and I didn't have anyone to take care of but me, so what did it matter?
So then I wrote more, and got more money. The songwriters don't get a lot of recognition generally, and I feel kind of weird about it. I feel kind of like a sell-out in a way. I'd rather it be me performing these songs. I love being on the stage. I splurged on a boat, and have it in a decent marina. It's what I always wanted. I still rent a house with a friend, mostly because I love its location, and the landlord let us build a bit of a studio in the basement. It's not great, and it has definitely been upgraded since I could afford it, but I don't see any reason to pack up and go own something.
I guess the reason I haven't told anyone is I am afraid I don't have enough, and that I won't get more. I'm a hard worker in a way, but I'm spoiled and I realize that. I hate work. I hate working. Watching the clock at any job is torturous to me. The only kind of work I could ever tolerate at all was working in a restaurant or construction, but I know both of those jobs aren't something I could have really done my whole life realistically. I was always worried in the back of my mind about how I would get out of this life alive if I wasn't able to make a living doing something with music. When I say I am a hard worker, I just mean at music.
I always had this dream of being able to give my parents a million dollars, because they really did support me early on. I guess that I would still like to be able to do that, but as a surprise. I can just imagine showing up and going through the small talk motions about "how things are going", and then just give them a check, or however else. For me to do that, I'd like to have made a little more on my end so I don't have to worry about anything incase I am never involved in another successful song. I've had between 5 and 10 songs that I've co-written be in the top 40 country charts, and 1 be in the top ten. There definitely are future royalties from publishing, etc.
So yeah, I'm a pretty lucky guy who is trying to figure out how to let my family know they don't have to worry about me becoming homeless or something like that.