I think the issue is not the selection of instruments but limitations in ability. For instance, many basic lounge key players only play in one or two keys (sameness in tone) and, because of limitations in ability and types of material, only use one or two very repetitive structures. Lack of ability limits the diversity and degree of difficulty of the music performed.

In every town I've been in, there is a guitar player or two that keeps people actively entertained and involved for 4 hours per night as a single, with a whole lot of variety, both in playing style and in complexity of material.

These guys are miles above the standard crew of "strummers".
Same thing with single key players.

Gary, if you were on the UK campus and got the response you report, you weren't playing for UK connected people. Must have been a private function where the venue was simply rented. From director Miles Osborne to recently retired Vince DeMartino at Center college, recently deceased Jay Flippen from Morehead State to lots of others in the academic field, there is an abundance of national quality talent, including more than a few who regularly go out on tour with top pop and Broadway national and world-wide productions.

There is absolutely no "hole" in entertainment choices which creates an unfulfilled need for arranger based entertainment of any kind.

The material reported here as what's played by members at Nursing homes has no place other than nursing homes in this geography. The well intentioned folks who play nursing homes here couldn't get a job playing anything or anywhere else.

When Dizzy played at the Opera House the last time he came through before he passed, even HE didn't get dozens of people asking ANYTHING. Neither did Tommy Emmanuel, Victor Wooten or others in their skill category.

Maybe you were friends with participants and those participants and their friends were the ones who were showing their appreciation.

We all need positive feedback, but, even when it comes, perhaps we should take it with a grain of salt.

Or, maybe I work in a completely different world. I'm happy for the few folks who compliment me nightly, but, given the number of drunks and tone def folks, don't put much stock in what they say.

But, that's probably just me.


Be well,


Russ