To play or to play around?
Yo CJ:
Depends on what you really want to accomplish. I remember when I did a lot of gigs; the five piece band dwindled to four because one person was missing gigs, or wanted more $$ or got drunk on the gig, etc. Then I managed to work with a Trio for a long time and finally ended my gigging career with just a Cordovox, a big Leslie speaker, and a drummer.
No problemas; he was reliable and pretty good.
Now, I enjoy the keyboard because I can do horn parts, bass parts, strings, etc. But, I'm just having fun; I don't have to make a living nor do I want to be on television.
I'd like to someday be good enough to be an engineer and make Talent sound good; but, then, I'd have to go back to school.
So, if you want to go on the road and make CD's, I guess you would have to find a group; but, the more in the group, the tougher it is to maintain and reach goals. Don't mean to be didactic; just passing on some of my experience.
But, whatever, keep making music man; it keeps you young for a long time.
Green Hornet