Tony, Well done!
You know, I've been thinking, and I can't even REMEMBER my first solo gig. I think it was playing organ for a beauty pageant, but I'm not real certain. It had to have been in the late 60's. I remember a supper club job about 1970, but it was almost entirely instrumental too. I think it was at that place that I first tried to sing a song alone in public, although I had sung a few with bands earlier.
I can remember practicing at home with a mic and organ and a tape recorder. The vocals were so bad I couldn't stand to listen to it.
I had no effects and no e.q. I then bought one of the first Peavey p.a. systems, I think a 4-channel with two columns. It had spring reverb, and I also bought a tape echo box. Then I could cover up the mistakes a little.
DonM