Gary's pretty well nailed it, as he usually does. I am what is considered a good musician. I can play solo piano, sing well, and I have a good, solid, schooled musical background. I've been a church music director for many years. I also discovered years ago that while I love playing piano in upscale restaurants, ect., I could make a lot more money in the OMB format. I started doing OMB in the early 70's with a B 3 and a drum machine. When arranger keyboards came out I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I've experimented with SMF's, CD,s and just about anything else that's come down the pike. I always go back to the arranger. Like Gary, I have been concentrating on the retirement community market and I'll do in the neighborhood of 250 of those gigs next year. They're great and I'll play them until I can't play anymore. I also keep a piano job just to satisfy that part of me. I currently play at the Hyatt Regency in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It's all about finding a niche for what you are good at and like to do. For a few years I tried to be all things to all people, but the music industry is just too segmented today to accomplish that. Find your little corner of the world and go after it with a vengence.

Rock on,

Joe

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Songman55
Joe Ayala