Performing for a living isn’t as glorious as it may seem. For John Fuller, who performs on the Paducah venue circuit weekly, becoming a full-time musician was not an easy decision.

“Sometimes it is tough,” Fuller said. “In the beginning there were some times that I didn’t have work. Now, things are pretty steady and I can make a living that way.”

Fuller has turned a weekend hobby into his full career. He has booked shows throughout each week, which he says has him sometimes working six nights a week. For Fuller, however, that is never a bad thing.

“Everything I do is for performing,” Fuller said. “I eat right and exercise, then I spend time working on new material and deciding what I will be playing each night. Every single day I have something that I do that is music related.”

Fuller performs weekly at places like Show-Me’s (on Thursdays) and JP’s Bar & Grill (on Fridays) and several other miscellaneous places throughout the week. His performance schedule helps him make music his living, something that allows him to make much more money than if he had a “normal job.”

“I didn’t get through high school,” Fuller said. “The jobs they have out there for my skill sets allow me to make minimum wage, not any more. So I use my talent. That way I am doing something I love instead of just trying to get by.”

Throughout the week, Fuller changes his performances based on that night’s crowd. Although he does have some original music, his shows are mostly covers, and consist anything from classic rock to new Billboard hits.

While he does admit that choosing performing for a living will leave him without a 401(k) or a retirement plan, his love for entertaining trumps all of the potential consequences.

“I love singing to a room and watching them enjoy it,” Fuller said. “I will do this until the day that I die.”