For one, playing by his lonesome makes the decision process a tad easier.

"Deciding what I'm going to do next without a lot of fighting," Barron said, when asked what luxuries come with the solo gig.

But Barron has done quite alright playing in a band setting, that is, if going platinum five times, having two mega hits and getting your mug printed on the cover of Rolling Stone is deemed "alright."

West Michigan fans have the chance to see him do both this week as he performs with the Spin Doctors on Friday in Kalamazoo at Theo & Stacy's 34th Annual Greek Festival at the Arcadia Festival Place. Admission to the festival gains access to the show. Prices vary from free to $10.

On Saturday, Barron will hit the Holland Park Theatre for his solo performance with special guests Spencer Mulder and Jen Sygit. Tickets are nine bucks.

Striking stardom with the Spin Doctors on the shoulders of hits "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" and "Two Princes" Barron released his first solo disc, Pancho and the Kid, in 2009.

Currently, he's pimping out his new EP, Songs from the Summer of Sangria. In a way, Barron has lost a big chunk of the ground he had gained with the Spin Doctors.

"If you aren't kind of starting over all the time, you're not getting anywhere in life in a way," he said. "I've always enjoyed playing clubs because they're so intimate. I'm really just glad to be a professional musician and not have to have a straight job."

Already achieving fame once with the Spin Doctors, Barron openly admitted that he doesn't have the recipe for success in the industry.

"I don't assume I have the keys to anything," he said. "You have to remember, I'm an artist. Putting my pants on presents its own set of barriers and obstacles."