Yes, very important to know your audience. At nursing homes-activity directors want energy, interaction and good music for their residents. Short trivia questions, brain teezers, "Name this tune", etc...all good things to use during a show.

When I'm playing a nightclub or for a dance, I keep it short and sweet. After the first tune, I say Good evening, we are the Bill Corfield Band, nice to be here in __________ tonight. Quick reminder about requests, please pick up a schedule if you need one, etc...then right into the 2nd tune...No more chatter until we announce our 1st break of the night.

As an aside...One easy thing to do to make a positive impression on your crowd (especially if they're dancers) is to keep the songs coming. We usually get into our next song within 10-15 seconds max. The bands that take 30 seconds or more between tunes are out of touch. Its dead air and bad news for your guests.

Other than announcing breaks and some impromptu comments (which are short), the next and final time I do any speaking is during our last song of the night, when I introduce the band.

Bill

Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 10-15-2004).]