Been gone for 10 days or so, and thought I'd try to catch up:

* Chas. Takes a hell of a player to post some Monk and Chas is one who can pull it off. This is just one reason why, almost daily, I'm blown away by a humble combination of depth, humanity, ability and intelligence. I'm so glad to know him!

* Favorite solo: Agree with Nigel on the guitar from the Chuck Mangione piece. Also, the B-3 from "Out in the Country" (Three Dog Night), "Overjoyed" by Victor Wooten, both players; all solos from the Jimmy Smith/Wes Montgomery album, "Dynamic Duo", George Benson; Affirmation, Gato; Europa and so many others.

GOOD TOPIC!

* Capo's; Used by acoustic players and singers who do a solo who require lots of full open bass notes in keys other than E. A, D, G; usually in a country or folk style. Also used by inexperienced players, with limited chord knowledge. Rarely used by experienced electric players; NEVER by jazzers. You'd be laughed off the bandstand.

* Tommy Emmanuel. Someone talked about his Martin guitar. Met him and played one of his small bodied instruments. It's a small steel stringed non cut-a-way guitar made in Australia, not a Martin, although it looks a lot like one.

Don and Gary....thought about you guys every day.

FINALLY....musicians and women. Believe it or not, at my age, I STILL have LOTS of female fans. Problem is, they're all under 8 and over 80, so when the underwear comes flying towards the bandstand, it's depends and Huggies or pull-ups...NOT PRETTY OR particularly pleasant.

Came back into town Sunday; right into the studio for a Ford production; 22 straight hours. Finished two hours ago.

Going home to rest. Job tonight at 6:00 PM.

I MISSED YOU FOLKS!

Russ

missed you too cap'n ... welcome back ...

Welcome home young man - glad to see you back.

Gary

where ever you were didnt they have computers?

Maybe RUSS just needed a REST !!!

Donnie, I was in Dubai. In the compound I was at, they watch everything. My host also does not talk to me, since I am an infidel.

I'll make 4 trips this year, and two trips to Australia for the same people.

It is not safe for Americans unescorted to roam some areas.

Really, a different part of the world. This is my third trip.
These folks are big-time international thoroughbred folks. They have several large operations in Lexington and other parts of the world.


Russ

Tony was right. I just needed a little break for awhile.

Glad to see you back safe and sound, Russ. Now come on down to Atlanta where you only have to worry about getting mugged (whether you're an infidel or not ).

chas

Russ, must be a ton of money involved. Why would anyone want to go where they are not liked and considered an infidel is beyond my imagination. I say screw em all. Give em a bunch of guns and let them kill each other and good residence to the A-Holes.

Because he makes more in those 3 or 4 trips than the rest of us do in a year.

I do 40 playing jobs in the US us at the property. A dinner gig pays $250.00 an hour. I play 10 dances which bill out at $5.000-10,000, depending on the ensemble. I did one film on the operation that billed at over $150,000.00. The trips overseas pay more than the film. Three more films and a hard-bound book are in the works.

The management folks of the US operation are great. The danger overseas has nothing to do with the client.

And I enjoy a little quiet time. I play for lunch and dinner, and two cocktail parties. That gives me lots of time to work on other "brain" projects. I have a large apartment and a Jeep to drive; again, with the suggestion that I avoid several areas and stay on the property most of the time.

Traveling overseas is often pretty scary, if you're not part of a well organized tour.

Interesting part of the world.


Russ

And I thought Obama was ripping us off....

Just kidding, although I like to know the secret to be so valuble..

Fran, this is pure luck. These folks travel around the world in 2 identical 747's. Occasionally, they'll send one to the US to pick up fresh fruit.

I have a lady friend who takes off from her regular job to wipe up glass water marks from the furniture to the tune of $5,000 a week for 5 8 hour days. Sometimes, there are no visitors to the mansion; she gets paid anyway.

A friend, Mike Allen, played for these people until he passed.

They frequented the restaurant I played. The farm manager was the son of my guitar tech. It's "Right place; right time".
Talent has little to do with it. The film work and publishing come from my day company. The music connection got me in.

Pure luck. There are several folks her who could handle the gigs. The film work is probably another matter.


Russ

Russ.....your posts are always interesting for me. You tell everything like it is in the music industry.....the ups and downs, the back and forths, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Seriously, I've been in a holding pattern for the last year or two figuring out how to reinvent myself to get back to work. I think my standard OMB days are over. Audiences are waning for that kind of gig.

Your posts help me to think outside of the box. That there are many outlets and different gigs still available out there if you look hard enough. I was even considering DisneyWorld.

I still haven't figured out how to get back into the playing field, but I always feel my brain shift into high gear when I read your "out of the box" candid posts.

Keep them coming.....they're helping me to exercise my "alternative thinking" process!

Mark

Can't be all luck, I've heard you play and sing........but you do show lots of humility with your comments.

Mark, I find your contributions here to be among the ones I really look forward to. Everything you say reflects an inner sensitivity and intelligence.

And, as you were here, you're kind....especially to us old dudes.

With your attitude, you'll get to where you want to be, for sure.

Really glad to have come in contact with you.


Russ

Folks, I just reread this thread, and believe I got a little carried away.

For the last 4 years, I have lived on $48,000.00 per year, and donated all excess income to my favorite causes.

Luckily, last year, for instance, that donation amount equaled more than 10 times the amount I withdrew from my company for personal use.

That's why I go to Dubai. That's why, pushing 70 years old, I work 110 hours per week and have big jobs (Eg. products imported into the US into "big box" stores needing packaging, literature, film, advertisments, etc.) scheduled that won't be completed for 5 years.

Must think I'm gonna live forever.

I had it pretty rough growing up, and helping others gives me a reason to live.

And, don't think I'm starving. Still have lots (too many, actually) of toys, get fed at the finest restaurants and really don't have expensive tastes.

Sharing matters. You folks matter.

R.

Stephen. I always wanted to visit in person.

Maybe we can make that happen one day. I'm thinking of making a "hit list" and hitting the road for week-end visits (Sunday-Monday-can't miss the gigs) with people I know here but haven't met in person.

You're on that list.


Russ

The secret to a long life is to stay active. Me, I spend 7 days a week preparing for the next Winter Olympics. In fact, I've practically worn my recliner out practicing for the Luge.



chas

Old buddy, you certainly don't learn to play Round Midnight like that (your recent post), fly a commercial jet, do yourself proud in the military, be nominated for world's best grandpa (I see the joy in your face, you old softy) and put up with your strange country friend in Kentucky sitting in that chair!

I'm starting a rumor that you're learning to CLOG (LOL)!


Be well, friend!

Russ

Actually, I used to CLOG, but I'm eating more fiber now.



chas

Russ ... excuse me, but this is pure BS!!! ... LUCK may have brought them into the place you played at, but TALENT is what got you the gigs ... and those of us who have heard your work (and far to LITTLE of it I might add!!!) know that you are quite a talented player ...
There MAY be some here who could handle the gigs musically, but I don't know how many could handle the politics, etc. ...
I always remember (and have used quite often) the quote of Branch Rickey: "Luck is the residue of Design." ... and as the Roman philosopher Seneca said: "Luck is what happens when PREPARATION meets OPPORTUNITY" ...

Thanks, Tony. Actually, there IS a little bit of pre-planning. I generally only play at places where people who are candidates for doing business with my company frequent.

My three largest contracts came from those contacts. I also use the gigs to entertain my clients. They show up, and I only have to deal with them 15 minutes an hour (LOL).

I moved to a very private country club 2 years ago, and I felt the reduction in business. Many have told me that they went to the old place and the hostess never heard of me.

While I don't want any more gigs, I need to be visible, so people can find me and I can have guests. The head of Toyota Motor Manufacturing (located in a town 15 miles from here) was promoted to international president. When he comes into the country he always calls. Last year, it took a friend who was a member of the club to agree to have him as their guest.

I'm about to move to a neat little place about 1/2 mile from my warehouse. It's run by a former horse trainer, and is a combo of a wine shop, small wine bar/sandwich shop, and a new bourbon bar; just opened and first rate.

It's in the middle of the downtown area, with lots of the people I generally do business with as after work regulars.

So, you're right...I have to leverage what I know, and find the right kind of place, with the right kind of clientele.

Other-wise, I wouldn't bother playing bars and restaurants...don't pay nearly enough. Same thing with the Philharmonic. People who patronize Philharmonic organizations are my target folks for the business. That's why I do things like the Beau Diddley tribute and other silly stuff. That and it;s FUN FUN FUN! Other-wise it's a really nice bunch of mediocre players rehearsing entirely too often (LOL)!

I would sincerely enjoy backing you with just you on vocals and me on guitar. Now, THAT would be fun. I really like the way you craft songs.


R.

PS. People hire me not because they like my music, but they want my customers. Sometimes, they start off by saying, "I don't like jazz, but....". I have BS-ed them into thinking that having jazz is cool and sophisticated.

AND, WE ALL KNOW, THAT's A BUNCH OF CRAP (Hee, hee ).

BTW, I forgot, in my initial post here to share the lyrics to a few of my "sophisticated" parodies:

"Don't look so sad....
I know you're pregnant...
(Sorry Mr Price)

Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be...
there's a husband standing over me....
(Apology to Paul).

"There's nothing left of me
Since my hysterectomy.
I left my bowels and ovaries
among my souvenirs...

(GOT A MILLION OF EM, FOLKS)!

And, talk about modesty. Chas is one of the most generous and social conscientious people I know.

I'm going to nominate him as a new member of the National Honorary Redneck Society. He'll look COOL driving that blown HEMI Dodge at the next truck pull!

"Get Er Done", Chas

Ya Boy!


R.(when's them govnm't checks gonna git here?)Lay

Thank you for that compliment, Russ, it is much appreciated ... but be careful what you wish for ... I may just send you a track for you to record with ...



Yeah?, well I think that's BS too ... when we think about it, most high end restaurants and supper clubs (not sure what the difference is ) even if they don't have live music, will be playing jazz through the house system ... maybe not Monk and Coltrane, but you will hear tunes by Wes Montgomery, Oscar, Brubeck, Getz, etc. so it really IS cool and sophisticated ...

Well I'm definitely in the right State for it. As soon as I get DonM to teach me a couple of those guitar licks, I'll be ready......I think; ............ uh, maybe not.

BTW, learning to fly is easy if Uncle Sam is picking up the tab. Military training and a couple thousand hours of turbine time will definitely put you at the front of the line. Flying has been described as "hours of boredom punctuated by minutes of terror." The latter would mostly be the landing . I'm no longer a car buff but have owned 2 911S's and a 928S in the past, so that 'Dodge Hemi' might just get traded at the Porshe dealer. Of course, then I'd have to move out of state .

Just heard from Jim Pate (NOLA Habitat for Humanity). I'm going to have to pay them a visit to see how our money is being spent .

Stop working so hard. Do something fun....like go pay Don Mason a visit (stop by here on the way over - I owe you lunch anyway).

chas

I'm gonna do that next winter.

Gary

Russ, Thank you and if you ever get to Rhode Island you can hit 2 birds with one stone, our friend TonyMads and myself.

Steve ... when you comin' home? ...

Hey Russ, you can always slip over to my place on July 20th and meet up with lots of guys from the zone. Still not sure how many are coming as yet, but either way it should be fun. It would be about a 10-hour drive from Lexington to here. I've made the trip a few times.

Gary

Should be a fun day I hope we get a nice turnout.....
who else is coming?

I'm not sure yet, Donny. I'm gonna start a new thread so I can stir some interest.

Gary

Gidday Russ ... just tell them in Oz you are my good buddy !!! We Aussies are very welcoming. Just ask Rikki. You sure don't have to feel insecure in Australia. We love Americans there.

I fell in love with a beautiful, young girl in Woomera, SA. Problem was her father couldn't get me out of OZ fast enough.

Never been to Dubai, though.

Gary

We should be back early next week. UGH!! Been a nice 5 weeks away from the cold of the Northeast. We've had temps in the high 80s all week.

You're not gonna like what you're coming back to, Steve. Winter came back last night here and it never got out of the 40s today.

Gary

Gary that's what I was afraid of

You know that Woomera SA is where the Australian rocket launch pad is. I guess you are lucky her Dad didn't strap you to a rocket That would have been the fastest way to get you to leave.