I have played guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, washboard and autoharp in my early playing years, but I played in bluegrass and jug bands at the time. After I moved to Florida from Kentucky in 1968, I met some local band members and bought a Gibson SG and Showman amp (still have both) and played in some local bands mostly playing Allman Bros, Eagles, Poco, Wishbone Ash, Buffalo Springfield et al as well as some original music.
During my blues and country rock days, I was also trying to get a degree, but that was not working. Classes after 4 AM mornings was just not sustainable. So I left my band days behind, got a job changing tires and doing front end and brake work. Not very much fun, but it was day work and my boss let me go to classes. Got my BS and MS and worked for the next 45 years as a scientist (still doing it).
About 4 years ago I picked up my guitar and stated learning new (for me) music. Strait, Yoacam, Jackson, Buffett, Travis and even a few songs by Dillard and Clark plus others. I play for fun now-a-days and I find living room and campfire jams my favorite venues. Although I play mostly acoustic, I have plugged my SG in, but those dual 12' speakers are a little too much for the nieghborhood.