Mirza, we've all been there and done that, and have the Tee shirts and hats. With the exception of a very few individuals on this forum, we've also had to endure the idiosyncrasies and egos of individual players that sometimes make playing in a full band a real challenge. There are reasons many of us now play as OMB entertainers. Other than the payscales being the same as they were 40 years ago, which was lousy back then, we now have players that require no pay, show up on time, don't whine and cry and still sound very damned good, IMO. Additionally, there's no timing problems, no drunks in the band to contend with, well, most of the time. I remember several years ago when Hank Bowman said "My PSR-2000 still plays OK, but the damned thing has a drinking problem." Someone spilled a couple vodka and tonics in his keyboard, he opened it up, dried it with a hair dryer and it still plays today.

Now, there can be problems with the player. Today, my back in killing me, but I have to work tonight. I'm resting on a heating pad, taking pain killers, and hoping for the best. As an OMB entertainer, if something serious happens to me, the show does NOT go on, at least unless I find someone to fill in for me that I have confidence in. Not a lot of ME's around.

Now, you hear something I cannot hear with today's vocal processors - something you refer to as a robotic sound. I don't hear that anymore, maybe because my hearing is shot to Hell, or maybe it's just because I happen to be the lead singer and hear my own voice over everthing else. Then I hear others complain that arranger keyboards are just repetitive loops. Well, that's what ALL songs are - repetitive loops! Nothing more - nothing less. And I don't give a damned how anyone makes those repetitive loops, keyboard, live band, PC program, etc..., it really doesn't change the fact that all songs ARE repetitive loops of chords and notes being repeatedly played. I mean, that why we have verse 1, verse 2, verse 3, etc... The only thing that breaks this up is the chorus or bridge and some fills.

As for me, I really enjoy playing an arranger keyboard and taking advantage of all the wonderful features they ALL offer. Sure, I enjoyed playing in my 5-piece country band, and the comradery if offered. There are only two of still alive and we both perform nearly every day of the week. My lead guitar player, like me, mostly performs the NH circuit, and he's seriously considering buying a PSR-S950 and getting away from the guitar completely. Why? He said "Well, it sounds as good as my Gibson, it has a built in drum machine and bass player, and I can throw in some fiddle licks if I want."

Say what you want about those VH voices, but for most of us, they're the best thing since sliced bread.

All the best,

Gary