The thing you have to watch out for on songs like Midnight Rider is that the bass line IS the melody (or hook, at least).

Try switching off the A BASS part, and PLAYING the correct bass line (you can still chord with your right), or chord with your left and play the bass line with your RH (transposed down, naturally!). You will find all kinds of styles work pretty well as long as you nail the bass part...
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An arranger is just a tool. What matters is what you build with it..!