To both Tony W. and Uncle Dave: it's real simple... you guys are not the Synth Zone BBS police or even the official critics. It's not your-way-or-the-highway. Why would I want to take a shot at UD? WHY NOT? There are more ways to enjoy a discussion than to sit by and be warm, fuzzy and dull. Your posts are full of advice on personal relationships and sipping gin when the fact is I don't play that way, in life or here. Does that mean I have less to contribute? Not at all. As to why I don't share my identity Uncle Dave, it's not a prerequisite and therefore simply none of your business in my humble "icy" opinion. This isn't some kind of "guard" or whatever other frame of reference you need to understand me... you are talking to the very real me, and since we are having a conversation (unless you choose to stop reading, which is your perogative), I need not join your brotherhood. I'm hear to talk about business rather than worry about mannerisms and fraternal bonding.

And that brings me back to this topic and a subject near and dear to me: how to entertain an audience as a side-effect. Last night in addition to my regular wages I made $50 in tips, all in singles and fives. What's surprising is this: I don't put out a tip jar and I very rarely even play requests. The money came from people laying the money on my keyboard as I played, half of it from children sent up by their parents.

My approach to entertaining is my own. Some time ago, I laid aside all the crappy songs that I'd played for too long and gave up on entertaining anyone but myself. This is a very negative professional attitude (in the minds of some) and likely won't work for Tony and his gin bottle or anyone else with a successful stage show already in place that relies on audience endearment. My voice was dying and never was very good, but I had enough of singing partners who contributed little more than the honor of the presence to the gig, so I decided to try things my way for once. I chunked my songlist and started over with instrumental cover versions of popular songs that I REALLY LIKED vs. the stuff/junk/burnt covers I usually get requests for. Most people ask for songs they have heard in the past in live music environments, forcing a sort of hive mentality on musicians: they all play the same thing within their genres. To make a long story short: I now play my favorite songs from all eras... the music that I always wished I could hear played live by someone. To maintain marketability, I try to choose things that are recognizable but chosen according to my taste, like "Kiss From A Rose" by Seal, "Dessert Rose" by Sting, or my own ultra-contemporary version of Seals & Crofts "Summer Breeze", and an acid-jazz version of "Pure Imagination" from the movie Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. I also do some twisted beautiful versions of "Misty" and "Moon River" that are totally unique. The entire idea was to take a chance on pleasing myself first and foremost and hoping audiences would share in that pleasure.

It worked. At least it has so far. People are secretly craving a real change of pace. I am often asked why I have no tip jar: that's because I am already well-paid and I say so. It also goes with my state of mind: I came to play my music, my way, and if you didn't leave when I didn't play "Brown-Eyed Girl" then that's all the gratuity I need. Many of my counterparts are surprised this works at all but really, by offering a real alternative to what they do, it's not that surprising.

Just for thought...