Went to see Eddie Shoemaker last week, I needed help setting up my new S970. We worked mostly with styles and how to organize them. After lunch Eddie invited me to go on a job at a senior home. He played in a room with about 33 to 35 seniors. The way his keyboard was placed on the stand I thought it was going to fall off. He seemed very uncomfortable. Played the wrong songs with wrong volume settings; I have to say it was real bad job.

OK, enough of my sick humor; Eddie has to be one of the best OMB I seen.

My criteria for judging;

Why was Eddie hired? To entertain a group of seniors and add to their day. Eddie used his music to support the interaction in the room. He was not there to play great music, he was there to entertain a group of seniors. Stopped in the middle of a song and added humor. Many times he did not complete the song. There no pauses between songs; he just glided through. I called my group of songs a set; he calls them a show – right on. He played an Mp3 of a difficult piano solo and gave the impression he was playing by moving his hands – he continued to move his fingers as he walked away from the keyboard. ha ha

When he was serious and played a song he was excellent. He used an Mp3 of Don playing a slow sax solo while walked the room and said goodbye to everyone. (nice touch) The seniors stomped their feet while sitting and walked out of the room singing and dancing. Job well done.

I tried improving my entertaining skills after reading Gary’s statement, “I am not a musician, I am an entertainer”, I felt Gary was right, although I do believe playing great music has its place. Letting go is not easy, most of us hide behind our keyboard.

John C.