Bill, sorry for the confusion. My point was, Donny has an approach which is to be totally flexible, and it works for him. He will change what he does to get and maintain a paying audience. His approach works for him.


I'm not so flexible, but I have been able to work for 55 plus years with 9 total weeks off without straying too far from my roots. There are things I will NOT do. Things like use sequences, do DJ work, use tracks, harmonizers, sing lots of songs I find offensive or stupid (like UGH Marguretaville (SP?).

I have compromised in other ways...the type of venues, mainly.

Music is changing, but I'm about as traditional as it gets.


I was simply trying to say there were other alternatives to some of the activities others do and approaches they take. Again, part of that is the difference between musicians and entertainers. I'm NOT an entertainer (tried, just TERRIBLE at it). Wish I were, sometimes.


I won't do certain things. It has cost me, but I really can't complain too much. My work involves lots of recording (some national jungles and scores), playing with a philharmonic as guest soloist, working restaurants and clubs, playing many styles of music, on lots of different instruments. And, I've NEVER had to go hunting for work. I have an open invitation from 4 restaurants to do 4 nights a week if I ever want to change my current arrangement. I'm overseas playing for an international horseman for 6 weeks a year.

For all of this, I'm lucky and grateful.

Just wish it had been possible to have a lifetime career playing jazz.


Russ