Gary great topic and you offer hope with that comment at 69 years of age.

Gary you and others suggested a few years back when I asked advice about increasing the number of gigs I play here that I should work with voice coach and not just be playing instrumentals on the senior circuit. Shortly after I did and have worked with a couple of voice coaches, one better than the other. I'm back with the original coach who has a better handle on teaching proper technique. All I can say is singing is a lot more difficult to do a good job on than I thought. And I mean a lot more...... I'm coming along but not happy with where I'm at. At times I have illusions that I could be Mel Torme WRONG!! All I have to do is listen to my recordings.

I have found vocals have opened up more doors, my voice coach in a conversation last week said, you're coming along, but you have your age againist you. ( late 50s) He said you'll do OK, emphasis on OK. I'm working hard at improving, but it's not coming easy. But I'm having some fun along the way, if I had to do this full time the reality is I'd have to panhandle to make ends meet. Some people got the goods other's do not, I'm in the latter class. But hell I'm having some fun with it all.

Sunday morning I woke up with an infection that has affected my lip and right section of my jaw. Even though I'm taking meds for it my face is still swollen and it makes doing vocals more difficult. At last night's Christmas gig in a regular upscale assisted living facility I play I told the audience who already could see my face was swollen that I would not be singing as much this evening.

Short story is I spent more time on the grand piano, playing Christmas piano solo arrangements I've been playing the last 35 years. It was those solos that got the more applause that the arranger vocal pieces. Just my 2 cents.