Graham and the others,

I think I really need to clear up this "garbage equipment" remark that a few of you got upset over, although I’m certainly not apologizing for it.

I meant "garbage" in relation to today's keyboards with all the frills on them. I'm using a 10 year old Roland that hasn‘t failed once in all this time (and this is by choice and NOT because of finances). That doesn't mean it "sounds" garbage. It actually gives me a very full and versatile sound. The organ and string patches are full, warm and rich, brass cuts through when I need it, trumpets not great sounding…but with a lot of pitch bend and vibrato can be made to sound presentable, accordion is a very sweet musette sound, bells (as in I‘m Getting Married in the Morning) are striking, orchestra patch simulates a full orchestra fairly well, fiddle (for square dance music) fits right in the pocket, electric pianos a little hollow but passable, guitars..again with pitch bend and vibrato can sound very jazzy, throw in a good dance pattern with lots of "fills," good singing, pick the right songs, and you’ve got a working formula.

You’ve all missed the point of my first post: Point: Don’t get caught up in the keyboard and speaker wars. Use the time to work on your act. At one time I played three keyboards simultaneously on stage and had a fantastic sound. Sure I miss it, but I’m more concerned about giving my audience more meat and potatoes now. After all, if they want to hear pretty music they can listen to Lawrence Welk on a CD player. I give them dynamic/exciting music that “moves them” (which is what Activity Directors love to see).

That’s not to say what you folks do in your performance is incorrect. If it works, go for it. I find this is what works for me. They don’t care if I share “new” equipment with them , but they certainly care whether or not I share MYSELF! And, believe me, if I thought for one second I was short-changing my audience, I’d be at Sam Ash the next morning with checkbook in hand.

Mama Leone’s Restaurant (in NY) used to throw out this saying: Give them good food and plenty of it, and they’ll come back for more. My motto, based on that, has always been: “give them good MUSIC and plenty of it and they’ll come back for more!”

P.S. Try going through a “musical trivia” routine with them to “jar” their memories. The “fan” idea was good….I’d like to hear a few more if you don’t mind. I’m always looking to improve!

Lucky