Background: As many of you know, after 12+ years of performing with my quartet, I ended things on NYE. I pondered this for two years, spoke with several friends including a few SZ-ers, and really weighed the Pro's/Con's of it. In the end, there really wasn't much confusion on what to do. I have no regrets, in spite of each of the guys now thinking me a fool for walking away from a popular, well received band that was capable of working several times a month.

I played my first gig at the main client the band has had last Saturday, and everything went fine. Dance floor packed all night, crowd stayed till late, Commander complimented me, etc...Even had a few guests admit they were wary of how I could pull it off all by myself but now confessing to me that it was quite good. I also was invited to work with another local club.

This club is trying to move toward a younger crowd. (Who isn't, these days, eh?) When they say younger, they're looking at pulling in more 30's and 40's age groups. I've totally overhauled my new set lists from the old band ones and included more stuff from bands like the Eagles, Wild Cherry, some R&B, Oldies, etc. than the band did.

I need more...call it a work in progress...

So, I worked up a form for all the guests last weekend to write down some new requests. The form specifically stated "looking new songs." I personally handed these forms to each table and verbally explained again what I was looking for.

The results:

I got 70 total requests turned into me...

Of the 70, 52 songs were songs I've been playing at the club for years...

Of the remaining 18 "new requests" 9 were immediately dismissed for various reasons. (not danceable, too obscure, I didn't like the tune, etc...)

That left nine songs that I feel I could work with...

But...all of these 9 tunes are basically standards. They're not "newer" tunes. If I add them, which I will do over the next few months, I won't have advanced one step closer to my goal of moving toward a younger sound. The newest thing was "Key Largo." I'll keep adding newer stuff on my own, of course. (You should've seen them trying to dance to "Play that funky music." OMG!!!)

This is a very interesting challenge for me. All my other dance accounts are huge country places and they love the classic country, so they are pretty easy to keep pleased. This place is different. I need to move toward pleasing a crowd that for the most part, isn't even in the building most nights. I think the word of mouth from the bartenders and club officers will be critical to this working the way I want it to.

Thoughts, comments suggestions always welcome...

(Sorry for the length...wanted to give context though...)