Nice try, Don, but unfortunately I have this bad habit of not "standing down" particularly with people I find obnoxious!

But, thanks trying to sober me up. And...for the encouragement. It means a lot coming from you...who I consider a good friend, a first class musician and, more important, a gentleman. Not to mention you have good posture too!

Now........I didn't actually give up music.....I gave up playing to audiences. I still practice like the Devil every day but just for myself. What I gave up was playing those gigs that were becoming "difficult" and "depressing" (which was all of them).

But, seriously, for some reason Ron's post about switching from doing gigs to doing stage shows started this whole thing off for me.

That part about the "Sway" MIDI file he was using as backing that replicated the Buble version (and probably also the Pussycat Dolls version) just hit me a certain way. It was that great arrangement. It really moved me. That's how I want to get back into playing again. Doing shows this time around like Ron is doing. And.....using that PA3 that I bought that I've been using as an ironing board since I got it. And, maybe working on "great arrangements" myself on that "ironing board."

Now...with the positive attitude that folks like you and Tony M and others in the group have about playing music, I'm sure I'll find a way to get out there on the front lines again. After all the worst gig in the world is still better than driving a taxicab in NYC or slinging french fries and fatburgers in some fast food restaurant!

Mark