I am reminded of an old barn in North Carolina that was turned into one of the most fantastic apartments I've evev seen by one man with talent and vision. Not one nail was used, and the wood looked like it bad been liquified to fit contours no wood should fit in. In the top of a loft was a small sign that read "if I hadn't believed it, I wouldn't have seen it".

Last night I played to a large group of vacationing acoustic musicians from Tennessee with their wives, regular diners, and a birthday party in another room. Not only did the dance floor stay full the entire time I played but the musos invited me to come to Tennessee to sit in with them sometime (they danced the most). My tip jar was stuffed. I spent all of my breaks talking to people who wanted to know about me, about my keyboard, how my "flame lights" work, etc. They stayed until my very last note.

I think, and my wife agrees, that the reason my instrumental act works is because I believe it will and always have. I look like I enjoy what I do - perhaps my self-confidence prevents me from failing. It doesn't hurt that I play most often in a nice waterside relaxing atmosphere either. But the most important thing is that I try to play something that I would enjoy hearing if I was in the audience. My music sounds good and people enjoy it or they wouldn't stay for hours after finishing their dinner just to dance and listen when there are plenty of other entertainment options nearby.

I respect my fellow performers here but they don't believe an instrumental act will work for them so it probably won't. I believe it will for me and it does. It may be that simple.