Don…..you’ve always been OK in my book, even though you DO “steal my threads” once in a while (you stole one on me back in 1997 I think it was!!). You have the distinction now of being the only person on the SynthZone to hijack a thread and apologize for it the next day. I nominate you for the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Thanks for this taste of reality. Until I read what you wrote here, I assumed (from all your posts) that you lived in a rose garden where people went out every night to wherever there was good music. And there were more of those people than there were musicians. Around here it’s the opposite...more musicians than listeners.

Interesting that conditions are the same there. I’ve only recently realized why getting new accounts, and even communicating with AD’s is getting harder. One of the girls I know real well told me she’s getting scores of phone calls every day now from entertainers looking for work. To the point she’s told the front desk to stop putting calls through to her. Many are willing to play for nothing since they lost they’re jobs and need something to do during the day. And those who want payment are settling for a ham sandwich or a bag of potato chips. Hard to compete with that.

You wrote: “The EDs are fairly young and usually come here from out West or back East. They tend to hire the type of music THEY like and that might be more popular in other parts of the Country. And, they don't seem to be able to hang onto their jobs. About the time you get your foot in the door, there is a new young face to try to please.”

That is really frustrating for me too. That’s exactly what’s going on with the AD’s in this area. I’ve never seen so many flakes being employed in the industry lately with what’s out there right now drifting around. I lost an 11 year account a few weeks ago because one of the roving airheads moved into the AD position. This is getting to be like the General Motors Proving Grounds.

I did think about your area a while back, because I assumed the music business was thriving there, and in New Orleans. And that they listened to a lot of Country and a lot of blues. I like C&W a lot (and I like the way you play it on your Ketron), but, again, I think I’d evaporate working in that kind of heat.

You said you: “take care of business by pleasing the customers, not drinking on the job and going the extra mile.” Somehow I guessed that about you already from your past postings. I do that myself here…..go the extra mile. It’s not enough being good at what you do……you have to give “personal service” above and beyond the call of duty. That’s what’s kept me working too.

I’ve been branching out into doing shows at the libraries. Between that and the nursing homes, and piano jobs, I’m paying the bills. I figure wherever I move to, I could always count on those venues to some degree. Of course, I’ve been known to be wrong in the past.

Thanks for the invite to check out where you live and stay at your place. I know you mean that. But...I hope I don’t hurt your feelings. You have a beautiful house, but I don’t think I’d be able to sleep with my feet sticking out the window. And if Donny comes down at the same time, I'd have to sleep in your attached garage.

Keep on truckin’

Lucky