Bebop: Many thanks for your fasinating and informative in depth entertainment report of your cruise. Sounds like the Roland G-800 was the only arranger keyboard utilized on the entire ship. Was a G-800 only used in the Casino room, or were there G-800's in other ship venues as well? Was the G-800 used for any solo 'one man band' act(s), or was it only played as a synthesizer (without auto accompaniment), utilizing a LIVE musician rhythm section (drums, bass) instead?
In regards to your comment about the drummer, this brings to mind one of the many drummer jokes which have been circulating around for years:
Q: What's the best way to confuse a drummer?
A: Put a sheet of music in front of him.
Seriously though, utilizing lead sheets on a gig, especially when playing with other band members in a pickup band situation, is (imho) acceptable, as long as it doesn't distract from the front man focusing attention on the audience. For a one man band solo performer or vocalist, it's better to play without any music, but in a 'pickup' band situation (where pro musicians have limited or no time to rehearse), it's customary to play with lead sheets to insure that everyone is 'playing' the 'same' chord changes. When I play tunes not in my core repetorie, I too prefer utilizing a lead sheet, but merely as a road map prompt (chord/lyrics) . If lead sheets are used, it's imperative that you as the 'front man' or 'lead singer' maintain at least 99.99% of your attention on the audience & on performing the music. Nothing's worse than a lead performer who appears to be reading note for note from a book. YUCK !

Bebop, what do you think was the reason the guy who played in the plush 150 plus seat lounge was not able to 'work the room' or 'hold the audience'? What was the energy of the room like? What kind of music (songs) did he 'attempt' to play and what was the average age of the people in the audience? Was he a singer/keyboardist or just a solo instrumentalist? I know from my own pro experience that singing makes a BIG difference in getting & keeping the audience's attention, and that humor, telling stories, and encouraging audience participation are also important elements to attracting & holding the audience as well. Still, the world of entertainment remains fickle & unpredictable, as I've performed many near identical show sets (same songs, same jokes, etc), which one night bring the audience to their feet, while on another night, I'm completed ignored. Bebop, thanks for the nice words regarding my musicianship and your support that I would have been able to keep that plush lounge filled 'all night long'.
- Scott
