Yes, we all gotta be good entertainers (at least to some degree) to succeed as musicians, but I for one am specifically billed as "keyboard-vocal musician" and audiences (at least mine) expect no less.

I realize there are many differing arranger keyboard entertainment markets out there, from: providing dance hall entertainment, restaurant background music, karaoke club informal bar-lounge entertainment, to: more formal intimate lounge club music & stage concerts where people actually come 'specifically' to hear you play & sing live. Some of these venues require very little traditional keyboard playing skills while others expect it.

Though all audiences expect to be entertained, differing venues attract different audiences, of who have differing artist performance expectations. Considering myself foremost: a vocalist-musician & interpreter of song, I most appreciate the intimate concert venues, where I'm able to 'express my heart' thru my music with the audience returning their attention & appreciation. For this reason, I find the intimate concert venues most personally gratifying, especially for my kind of one man entertainment, and the type of venue where the audience may be more apt to be interested in seeing you play the keys.

On another note: I remember it being brought up adamantly by Uncle Dave (and a few others here as well) that they felt utilizing a MusicPad Pro onstage, a terrible audience distraction. After viewing the impressive pics of Donny's laptop setup onstage:



I find it no less (and more likely more) of an audience distraction than the MusicPad Pro is. The laptop looks like what it is: a computer, of which is stereo-typically expected (by the public) to be 'stared' into. On the other hand, my experience with the MusicPad Pro is that the audience rarely notices it, because it looks like merely a flat device, no different than the tilt up screen on my Tyros. As a followup to my MusicPad Pro+ purchase a few months back, I still feel it was the best music equipment investment I've made in a LONG time, worth every penny, and suitable for all performance venues. A laptop's 'music viewing' features & capabilities simply don't approach the abilities of the MusicPad Pro+. If you're a professional musician currently using music, leadsheets, or lyrics onstage, consider the MusicPad Pro. It's worth the investment.

Scott

[This message has been edited by Scottyee (edited 05-18-2005).]