I'm getting very disillusioned with the so called "live" music scene. Some guys are not even playing anything anymore, just running backing tracks and singing while holding their hands over the start/stop button. A DJ could do that with CD's or, as most are use a laptop, so why are we all excited about the newest "Arranger" just to play mp3's? And why do we want a TOTL keyboard besides making ourselves happy. I think the manufactures are more aware of the scene than us. Notice all of Rolands new stuff has MP3 playback ability.
There are two guys here in North NJ, doing gigs with no real music. One guy who looks like Barry White stands onstage in a full length leather and a sax (which he rarely plays ) around his neck and sings to CD's some kid is running for him in the back round. A very good friend of mine doesn't even bring his keyboard anymore. He has everything on his IPOD and just sings. (He is a very good singer) As the night goes on he just DJ's and throws in a few "Live" vocal numbers here and there. Two 10" Pa speakers, Ipod and a Yamaha mixer. Now that's travelin light!
I'm still stuck on my G1000 and I strictly use modified styles for my live stuff. I DJ the stuff I can't play. IE: Cupid Shufffle, etc. I have thought of using tracks on the G1000 but why bother when I can just get Kareoke CD's?? Real playing is where its at for me.
I wish I could just sit at a good piano and sing and play but no more gigs like that !

Thanks for letting me rant, any thoughts from arranger land?