When I finally woke up and realized there was more to playing than partying and meeting girls, I began concentrating on gigs where people who had the funds and need to use my day work product frequented. At a cocktail gig 25 years ago, I met the wife of a vet at one of the top thoroughbred farms in the Bluegrass. The result? Great friends, a ready audience, and over $100,000.00 annually for photography, video, research, etc.

At the Bistro, a jazz club, I met the newly appointed plant manager for a nearby international vehicle manufacturing company. He is now the international president, and visits me every time he visits the local plant. That has meant over $500,000.00 of work annually. I play for most of the annual meetings and other events for many of my day clients.

Music is part of everything I do. My corporate videos are popular because I don't use needle drop music or public domain sound for scores. When that UPS plane takes off, or that bolt is tightened, the track is in meter.

A friend who is good on a computer offered to manage a web site for the restaurant he played. He listed meal specials with photos daily. Now the restaurant has 7 locations and he is the director of communications and gigs at all 7 locations.

Many other people I know from the business have leveraged their talents into very successful and complementary careers.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Be well, all,


Russ