The first guy packs way too much gear. The second guy, Jay Bird, does a great job, and everyone should keep in mind that he's playing the same era music Don Mason and I perform, and he has the younger crowd on the dance floor. And, gee, they're both using arranger keyboards. Ain't it amazin!

Cheers,

Gary

Not too many of these guys left working anywhere. They're both really good. As far as the dance crowd its common for band and DJ's to "stage" their promo videos .
Still a nice job and I'm glad to see these guys carrying the torch.

He really needs to take Marvin Gaye out of his repertoire. THAT just ain't happening, no way, no how. As to the 'younger crowd', with a little alcohol and a 'canned' beat, they'll dance to anything. As for Don, he sounds good because he doesn't play outside his milieu. I'm also hoping you're not doing Marvin Gaye impressions. It's okay to 'mix it up' a bit, but I'd stay away from Marvin Gaye, Mick Jagger, and Sid Vicious . JMO.

chas

Got anything positive to add Chas? Man you even cut up Percy Sledge a while back.

God Bless,
Don

Chas, I never heard of Sid Vicious, I can't think of any Marvin Gay songs that I would do, though I used to perform How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You. And, I'm confident that I would not be doing any Mick Jagger songs. However, there are lots of other top songs I recently began doing, and ironically, it really doesn't seem to make any difference at all who originated the song, male of female. During the past few weeks I've been performing Saving All My Love For You, the audiences, both young and old love it, though I changed the lyrics a bit to fit the gender. Obviously, I'm not the right gender for this song, but it has really gone over well.

Both these guys are great entertainers - NO DOUBT ABOUT IT! They're hard working guys and seem to work well with their audiences from what I saw. And, I have no doubt that they can do justice to any song they perform, regardless of gender, race, age, etc... That's what I love about music - it allows you to bring forth your creative juices and place your art-form in front of a vast array of audiences. It seems as the only recrimination upon doing this comes from individuals whom also work in the entertainment field - not the audiences they perform in front of day in and day out.

My fondest wish is to be able to continue to perform for at least another couple years, but I don't believe my health will allow this. If not, well, there will be a lot of gear going on Ebay.

All the best,

Gary

Don (Korg80), I actually credited Percy Sledge for creating and leaving the world a classic in that genre'. But for me, capturing one moment in time does not necessarily make one a great singer. Sorry if I offended your sensibilities, but I ALWAYS thought Percy was a lousy singer. His death didn't change my opinion. But music being subjective, if Percy is your cup of tea, more power to you.

Gary, I wasn't knocking Jay Bird Chalmers, just his performances of 'What's going on' and 'Ain't no mountain high enough', two Marvin Gaye classics. I think he was fine on the Pop and Standards stuff. I was just making the point about staying within the material you do well and not trying to cover everything.

I DO think, however, that his (Jay Bird) series of performances does expose one weakness of arranger-based gigs, and that is the repetitive nature of them. Taken singly, they may sound okay, but one after another all night is probably more 'perfect' drum loops and bass patterns than I could handle as an audience member.

I have heard some great arranger performances, but they were all or mostly all, true professionals (ie. Marco Parisi) doing a single demo with a balls-to-the-wall performance aimed squarely at selling that instrument.

Let's face it, arranger keyboards and OMBs have much more to do with economics than music. JMO, of course.

chas

I like Marvin songs a lot! those were just really bad versions.

And, I've always said that the advantage of using an arranger was economic...lots of sound from one man/woman and his/her machine.

As far as repetition, I break it up with guitar solos, vocals over guitar, different stringed instruments, piano only, etc.

And, I ALWAYS use additional players if the budget allows. For me, that's what playing is all about.

R.

I like Marvin songs a lot! those were just really bad versions.

And, I've always said that the advantage of using an arranger was economic...lots of sound from one man/woman and his/her machine.

As far as repetition, I break it up with guitar solos, vocals over guitar, different stringed instruments, piano only, etc.

And, I ALWAYS use additional players if the budget allows. For me, that's what playing is all about.

R.

What was that about repetition???

And, as this thread appears to show; you have to actually be an arranger "player/performer/user" (and we could add, Entertainer) to really appreciate what these guys do...in other words, having "walked the walk, to talk the talk".

Those who are into more traditional keyboards (and conventional players) just don't "git it" as much as those of us who have learned to truly recognize (and are grateful for) the value of these "tools of trade".

I agree, wholeheartedly, that both these guys are not only really good, but are also quite adept at showcasing their skills.

Viva the Arranger (and the One Man Band)!

Ian

Viva!!!

Sorry Donny, thanks for posting this up but I just don't like this guy. Singing Style too over the top, and I don't think he's actually playing anything, jusy hiding behing the piano, and he looks like he from North Jersey or worse Staten Island. LOL !
Only kidding, having that North Jersey look sure worked for the "Jersey Shore" crew.

Here's the best entertainer I've heard around here. Lousy clip but he's very versatile and uses the backing tracks and arranger sparingly so you don't notice it too much. This is his traditional closing song. Plays at a CC every Friday and has a devoted audience of adults who love him. Jim Bannach, also has the BLT band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_oaLllLYE4

I've seen this guy before great entertainer, I'm so glad I'm out of the bar scene I paid my dues,, it is a hole different ballgame than it was years ago,.... He is mixing it up and the crowd loves him.that is what it's all about playing for the people.

I agree. I'm glad at least YOU can express a negative opinion of a performance without the wrath of G.. uh, the God-fearing, coming down on you. Maybe next time I have an independently-derived opinion, I'll get YOU to express it for me (you know, just to hold down the 'hate factor').

chas

I think we are veering off course or topic worrying about the actual performances posted, that's Not it,...
let's just discuss the overall trials and tribulations of being a PRO One Man Band musician who makes a full time living playing music in the trenches year after year. I understand that some have not even been in front of or experienced a paying audience to play for or have to worry about where you next gig is coming from, and all that goes on behind the scenes to book jobs, advertise, promote, pay your bills, send kids to school, and survive financially only from a life in Music...sure it's possible that is proven, but there is alot involved and needs to be taken seriously when people depend on you. It's all part of the LIFE of a OMB Player...that said here a buddy of mine Bob Hughes in the trenches...

If all you depend on is your one man band gigs, and it's your sole source of income, things change quite a bit.

Unlike what happens with home players, your Arranger Keyboard then becomes an investment, as does the sound system, and the type of vehicle you buy, just to name only a few main items in your total kit.

Then, in my case at least, there was a backup keyboard and, of course, extra pedals, cables, USB (and at one time floppy disks) backups.

The task of booking and staying booked is another aspect home players, and often traditional instrument sidemen, don't have to be as concerned with, or concerned with at all.

I had a long (and quite successful) run at the solo performer type gigs (i.e. using an arranger)...well over 30 years at least, and it was often a learn-as-you-go proposition, as there were very few in my area working at that type of gig, and the early years were pre-Internet so no real help available like we have now with SZ.

Ian

Also Ian let's not forget many of us "Old Dogs" were playing in the trenches 10-20yrs with bands or Alone, etc,,,,..
20yrs BEFORE the Internet & DJ's also...a great learning foundation many younger players will never experience or learn from.

HEY ... I RESEMBLE that remark !!! ... born and raised in SI and proud of it !!!



Especially since most of them were NOT from New Jersey - although a few were from SI

HEY ... I RESEMBLE that remark !!! ... born and raised in SI and proud of it !!!


Especially since most of them were NOT from New Jersey - although a few were from
HEY ... I RESEMBLE that remark !!! ... born and raised in SI and proud of it !!!

I knew that post would get a reaction. As I said only kidding and I grew up across the bueatiful Arthur Kill river from you in Woodbridge. We will never live down the sterotypes of that area. And yes I believe only 1 of the Jersey Shore crew was from NJ. Spent lots of my underage drinking nights over in SI. Later on played the Holiday Inn with its closing time of 3AM . Even had my van broken into there. How did I do it !!
Donny
You got it. No good learning grounds for the new guys . You and the guy I mentioned Jim Bannack are probably the only two OMB entertainers who make a living at it. Its was tough when there was music all over 6 nights a week and now nearly impossible.

Hey Bill - I assume you are talking about New Jersey when you say the Jim Bannock and Donny are the only entertainers that make a living at it. There are a lot more of us on the Synthzone that manage to make hundreds of dollars every year.

Gary

Evidently I'm not yelling "Yeah!" nearly often enough.

I like a couple of these guys, and I guess they are all doing a good job at what they do. I don't like the guy sitting behind a big piano-looking thing faking it. The first two seem to be doing a parody of Bill Murray doing his parody on the old Sat. Night Live show.
Bob Hughes does a good job at the country/rock stuff, decent guitar player and the Midjay sounds good. He makes his own sequences, and sometimes uses styles as well. It helps when the audience can see you playing.

]Hey Bill - I assume you are talking about New Jersey when you say the Jim Bannock and Donny are the only entertainers that make a living at it. There are a lot more of us on the Synthzone that manage to make hundreds of dollars every year.

Gary

Gary I only know fo two other guys who do music as their only occupation but both of them have wives with decent jobs and benefits. I too make hundreds of dollars a year playing, sometimes even a month LOL!
I'm talking about guys really making a living from it. I know you had previous careers and I was a teacher. Thank God I didn't decide to follow the music route full time as I once wanted. I can stop at anytime and be finacially OK, I just like doing it, but if I HAD to do it, thats another story.

Bill, the past 25 years income has been derived strictly from music. My wife's money is hers - not mine. (It was a nuptial vow. ) I guess we must be doing OK - I managed to buy a sailing yacht.

Two back to back, identical postings? Now that's BOTH Funny and boring!


R.

Actually, it's an interesting thread. Nice to see some how some of the other folks around the world entertain using an arranger keyboard and their vocals. I'm impressed. Of course, I'm old, feeble and senile, so I'm impressed a lot easier these days.

All the best,

Gary

Hey Donny,

"I'm From the Country" was a very full arrangement. You think he was working with a track or can you add in all those fiddle and guitar licks with multi pads. The guitar was ultra realistic if it was coming from his keyboard. I'd love to have that guitar sound.

The guy with the trumpet, cymbal and keyboard is a pretty talented guy.

Thanks for sharing these videos.

God Bless,
Don

Where's the sail?

Gary

I'm pretty sure it was a karaoke track...

I have too enjoyed these videos. It's interesting to see all the different takes on the OMB. Thanks for sharing these and keep them coming!

WOW, there's a lot of great talent out there, Donny. Love it! Absolutely love the vocals of that last one. She has an incredible voice.

Thanks again for starting this thread,

Gary

Donny

Last one you posted is the best IMHO and pretty a pretty good example of whats going on in the live music scene today. I worked with female vocalists before and got tired of it but I think I'd like to give it another shot to add a better visual and also for a better variety in vocals.

Thanks for all the info, good to see whats going on out there.

Apparently the KB player thinks working with a female vocalist isn't a bad idea ... I wonder if he gets more gigs with her, or without her ?

Wow! What incredible talent. After watching the last batch of performers, it kinda makes me wonder why I continue to play at all. They were absolutely fantastic, and they obviously knew how to make those keyboards jump right out and grab the audience's undivided attention - they sure got my attention.

Thanks again, Donny,

Gary

Had the pleasure of meeting Kevin K. down on Fisherman's Wharf a few years ago. What a player, and what a gentleman. Thanks for putting these up, Donny.

I'm glad you'all enjoying it,...... there is so much OMB talent out there too many to ever post here. We can all learn something from each one....after almost 50 years I still find something to learn from when I listen to players of all kinds of music. No one knows it all, many think they do, just sayin' .....keep an open mind and always be ready to absorb NEW things musically, and ask lots of questions, you won't regret it.

As a duo with female singer we got more BIGGER better paying jobs than I have as a single. She developed a serious medical condition that caused her to quit singing. I was fortunate that many of our clients kept me as a single for a number of years. Now there are multiple male/female duos in the market. I still get some of those jobs but not as many. Had to do a little re-inventing and go after different clientele.
Still....all is good.
Eddie

Thanks for posting these videos, Donny...some real good talent out there.

Ian

Listening to Kevin is like listening to Dexter Gordon to me. It's not good. As a matter of fact it is downright depressing!! It makes me want to get up, take everything I own music wise, lay it in the driveway and run over it a hundred times with my 3/4 ton pick-up truck !! Yes! Even my sax. I could play for 300 years and not come close to those 2 real musicians. Some are geniuses and some are entertainers. To me it a very huge gap.

I'm going to listen to some Elvis, Jerry lee Lewis and those entertainers and gain some of my confidence back if at all possible.

I hear ya Boo...personally although a very good player.....
all those constant runs Kevin does give me a headache.....just not my cup of tea...

There are lots of street corner and subway OMBs in this country, and from what I can see, none seem to make enough to cover their transportation costs to and from the place they're playing. Obviously, they are very talented, but you have to make a living as well. The best thing I ever did in this business is get the Hell out of the nite club segment of the business, and jump into the NH segment with both feet. Most of the time I can make more in one hour than many club entertainers make in an entire evening of playing, including tips. I guess all those street and subway performers have fond hopes of being discovered by some talent agent who just happens by while they're playing their hearts out.

Some of these guys have more musical talent in their little finger than most of the folks on this forum have in their entire bodies - me included. WOW! However, most of them DO NOT sing, which I consider an integral part of the entertainment business. Sinatra was not a player, he was a crooner. Same with Deane Martin, Perry Como, and a host of other famous entertainers. Now, Liberace, Ricki Ricardo, Montovante, Ferante and Ticher, and a short list of other musicians were quite famous for their musical abilities, but only a handful made a fraction of the income from the business that those singers made.

Sorry to somewhat derail the thread, Donny - it's a great thread and I love listening to and watching those OMB guys perform.

Gary

If I bet $100 would I win if I said I was the only Person on this whole forum that listened to every note of the guy at the bottom of the staircase
? No offence to Chas, but he didn't listen to every note because he is more of a Funk, Fusion, Modern Jazz. Although Chas is doing Jazz it is different then this bebop, sort of progressive jazz. Of course he may have. If so, he's the only one. Too many notes for entertainers.

Gary ... Don't kid yourself ... a good number of these people make quite a bit of money doing this ... and it's all cash ! ... there are places in NY where the entertainers vie for the spot, because it is so lucrative ... plus, we don't know what some of these players are doing at other times ... some are playing for shows, in concert orchestras, doing studio work, etc. and use the 'street' to hone their craft ...

http://web.mta.info/mta/aft/muny/

I don't know, Tony. I really don't know any of them personally, so I cannot vouch for how much they make or do not make. I know a lot of players in my area and none are working the streets. Most, just as myself, used to work the clubs and restaurants, but by and large, they are ALL working the NH circuit now for reasons of economics. I there were that much money there, I would think the competition would be very high. As for vying for a specific location, panhandlers here battle over street corners and some have been killed for the right to panhandle in certain areas, but I don't think they make a lot of money. JMO

Gary

"If I bet $100 would I win if I said I was the only Person on this whole forum that listened to every note of the guy at the bottom of the staircase" - Boo


Sorry Boo, but you'd lose (I'll collect later ). I loved the duo "at the bottom of the staircase" and listened to every note. I play those tunes, just not at the skill level of these guys. Furthermore, I don't look down on them because they aren't part of the "1%". I know that here in the good ol' USA, we tend to measure success and accomplishment by how much money someone makes. I think that has a lot to do with how the rest of the world views us.

We throw around that word ENTERTAINER as though it's an excuse for not being musically accomplished. Maybe these subway performers will get 'discovered' and maybe they won't, but at least there is a CHANCE. Getting 'discovered' playing in a nursing home....well I wouldn't bet the farm on it .

Truth is, I believe (and I could be wrong - usually am) that almost anybody with a nice smile, an outgoing personality, can carry a tune (more or less), operate an mp3 player (or an arranger keyboard WITH an mp3 player), could teach himself how to 'entertain' in a nursing home (there are quite a few 'entertainers' playing in nursing homes for FREE). On the other hand, regardless to what you think of their ability to make a living playing music, guys like the two at the bottom of the staircase are one in ten thousand in the population (as opposed to a 'dime a dozen').

All the guys mentioned in one of the posts above (Sinatra, Como, Dean Martin, Ferante and Ticher, etc.) were great singers or great musicians first, before they became legendary entertainers. All great singers and musicians don't go on to become entertainers and are content to just be the best musicians and singers they can be and spend a lifetime perfecting their chosen craft. Sorry, but I admire these people, way, way more than those who only view it as a business.

Let's face it. This board has very little to do with music (in the purest sense of the word). Obviously there are exceptions and the board is clearly split between those who 'play for pay' and those who do not. Naturally, the interests of these two groups are not always in sync, even with equipment (a home player is not overly concerned about a keyboards weight).

But, as Gary said, "sorry to somewhat derail the thread", and some of the performances were certainly worth listening to.

chas

My tastes in music are pretty eclectic. I've enjoyed most of the videos (yeah, Boo, even the jazz) and thank Donny for posting.
Eddie

Chas, they were ALL worth listening to.

Gary

Can't say I agree with that. There are some that think ALL life is precious, even mosquitos and cockroaches, but I can safely say that I, for one, wouldn't miss them. But that's not the point. Donny was going for a totally different vibe for this post and he explains it very well here....

"I think we are veering off course or topic worrying about the actual performances posted, that's Not it,...
let's just discuss the overall trials and tribulations of being a PRO One Man Band musician who makes a full time living playing music in the trenches year after year. I understand that some have not even been in front of or experienced a paying audience to play for or have to worry about where you next gig is coming from, and all that goes on behind the scenes to book jobs, advertise, promote, pay your bills, send kids to school, and survive financially only from a life in Music...sure it's possible that is proven, but there is alot involved and needs to be taken seriously when people depend on you. It's all part of the LIFE of a OMB Player...".

Of course, posting performances almost guaranteed that the post would devolve into a series of critiques of each performance. Still, I think it (the thread) did a good job of providing some insight into 'a day in the life' of a OMB performer.

chas

Never been a big fan of biting, flying, crawling bugs, either, Chas.

One of the main reasons I joined this forum so many years ago was to learn from other OMB performers/entertainers/musicians/singers, which essentially are one in the same. Sure, there are some that DO NOT sing, but during the time I've been involved in this OMB stuff the ones that tended to make a living, pay the bills, put the kids through school, keep a roof over their heads and even stash a little away for eventual retirement were singers as well as musicians. Some, such as myself, were not very accomplished musicians, but none the less, they got the job done, and with enough flair to be able to book the same venues year after year after year.

From my perspective, paying audiences want to be entertained. So, in that light, those of us who stand upon the stage in front of those audiences are entertainers first and foremost. And, that's even if we never sang a single word. If the audiences were not being entertained, they would not bother to attend the venue and shell out their hard earned cash.

I looked carefully at the subway player. He was incredibly talented to say the least. His fingers flew across the keyboard with uncanny accuracy, never seemed to had a bad note. (Wish I could do that!) However, he apparently did not sing. Consequently, most of the folks in the subway just walked past as if he did not exist. He failed to make any eye contact with the audience, too. Herein the term entertainer comes into play. UD once said that he did his damnedest to reach out and capture his audiences from the very first note he played and sang, then did his best to hold them until the very last second of his performance. I learned a lot from Dave back then. Dave, like many OMB entertainers, provided his audiences with the entire package, great vocals, great song selection, excellent keyboard playing.

Then there are the monetary aspects of being an OMB entertainer. The vast majority of us have, at one time or another, been involved with full bands. We had a lot of fun, enjoyed the camaraderie, and like most bands, played weekends because we had a full time job in some other profession so we could support our families. We would have all rather played music as a full time profession, but at our level this was not remotely possible for the vast majority of us. I tend to think we were pretty damned good at what we did, but none of us were Nashville bound back then, at least with few exceptions. The kid that lived across the street from me went to Nashville, put out a single album, then got into the drug scene, which eventually killed him. So, I guess from a success standpoint, money IS the measure of success. If an OMB entertainer can make a good living, then he or she is successful. When I played with a 5 piece band, I never made enough to cover expenses, but damned we sure had a lot of fun back then. As an OMB entertainer, I can make a living, and I have a wide variety of venues to select from, which is something I didn't anticipate when I first got into the business.

I began my OMB entertainer career sitting on a bar-stool with a six string, pawn shop guitar, a cheap pawn shop amp and mic and 3-ring loose-leaf binders filled with the lyrics of popular country songs. The pay back then was $50 for a four hour performance and you had to put up with dense cigarette smoke and drunks. About once a month, if you were lucky, you managed to pick up a private party that paid about twice the going rate. One night, a local band came into the bar after finishing a wedding, and I was asked if I would be interested in playing in their group, which I was. Back then, when we played a wedding, the band got $250 for the reception, which translated into $50 per man for 4 hours work. Now, these guys were all much better musicians than myself, but I could sing better than anyone in the group, so they kept me for 5 years. I performed with a few other groups after that, but they never really booked many jobs, so it was back to being an OMB at the smoke filled bars.

During that entire time, I visited the jobs where many of my fellow entertainers performed regularly. I tried to learn as much as possible from them, took note on what they did right, and tried to remember what I thought they were doing wrong. (No OMB does everything right all the time.) One night, while my wife and I were at a supper club, I saw a duo, a guy with a pair of stacked keyboards and his vocalist wife. They were superb entertainers, had a lot of stage presence, interacted well with the audience and put on a great show. We later became great friends and shared our expertise. That was about the time I ditched the guitar and took up the keyboard. Life as an OMB entertainer became a lot easier, more exciting and fulfilling, and the bookings skyrocketed. Ironically, my first NH job came from someone who saw me performing at an American Legion Bar. They had a parent in an assisted living facility nearby and booked me to play for her 90th birthday. The party took place in the facility's dining room, all the other residents were in attendance as well, and I pretty much did my usual routine. After the party the AD came to me, asked if I had my calendar, and booked me for every month for the remainder of the year. The pay was $100 for a one hour performance - I LOVED IT! Word got out to some of the other ADs about me, and pretty soon, it was goodbye smoked filled bars and drunks and hello NH circuit.

Now, all of the above OMB entertainers seem to be extremely accomplished musicians. As I stated earlier, they are far superior to me in that respect. And, by carefully watching their performances I managed to learn a few new things, which I why I came to this forum so many years ago. Thanks to a great number of individuals I've met on the Synthzone, I've been able to pursue my career as an OMB entertainer, make a good living, pay the bills, and buy boy toys . For that I am eternally grateful. I especially wish to thank Donny Pesce for this thread, which somewhat portrays the lives of OMB entertainers in other regions. We learn a lot from watching each and every one of these guys perform.

All the best,

Gary

Now that's the way to get (the thread) back on track. Great post, Gary. I can relate to a lot of your early experiences and agree with all of your points EXCEPT the part about money being the measure of success. BUT, we can agree to disagree on that. I'm sure that in time your moral standards will come up to mine (PLEASE note the smilies). Again, great post. Donny should be pleased .

chas

our own SZ member Larry...Beakybird

6 years ago at the Shreveport LA jam me , Joe Ayala, Don Mason,
Joe Lee....we ha a ball playing together all weekend.
Seems like yesterday....must do it again!

Joe Lee Richards was known as the "Singing Sheriff". He was Sheriff of Benton County, AR for years, and was a genuine cowboy! Joe passed away about a year ago. Sure miss him.
Maybe we'll do another jam when AJ comes to do his workshop this summer.
At this jam 6 years ago, AJ brought the first Ketron Audya to reach the US. He flew into Shreveport from Italy with it. It was still unfinished at the time, but it blew us away when we heard him demo it!
I was playing the "lowly" Rowland E50 in the video.
Good news, some of us have lost some weight since that video!

Yes Don...Joe Lee was "ACES"..& hank too miss him also........
I'm now down 26 lbs baby yea & going!

I started back on the South Beach last week, lost 5 pounds, in 7 days, so I guess I'm headed in the right direction. Sailing the boat is the best exercise I get these days, because I'm getting too old for the weight bench and three MPH on the tread mill is about as fast as I can move. This gettin old stuff sure ain't what it's cracked up to be.

I can assure you that I will not be in Benton, LA this summer - too damned many jobs on the schedule. For the first time ever I kept the weekends open so I can go sailing. Someone called a few weeks ago and asked if I was interested in playing at the American Legion where I performed for 7 years. I told them "absolutely not!"

I also miss Joe Lee and Hank Bowman. Hank and I talked almost daily on the telephone, we had some good times together when I visited DonM in LA. I saw Hank just a week prior to his passing, I held his hand, we talked about the old days and how much fun they were. I knew that he wouldn't be with us more than another couple days at that point, and I think he did as well. He was a wonderful person.

All the best,

Gary

Gary

WTG Beaky Bird.
Really nice exhibition on your S950.
That puts you in the TOP TWO SZ arranger/guitar players.
Eddie

Hank was my best friend. So hard to see him lose his life because he enjoyed it so very much. We played music, played golf, fished together, and just hung out every day.
We both owned our own nightclubs for a number of years. Hank was a retired Fire Chief as well as having played bass on the road with some of the country music legends.
Every day at 10 a.m. when my phone doesn't ring, I think of Hank.

I finally got down to the library today to watch the video’s posted in this thread to see what all the excitement was about.

What's the matter with you guys? Has the bar on OMB's been lowered that much that you think these players are at the top of their game?

Half of you members in this group are musically more proficient than these phony's.

Now they might be entertaining and in demand, but don't tell me that most of them are musicians who studied their craft like a lot of us here did. And don’t tell me they’re musicians, period! I didn't watch all the video's but from what I saw they were nothing but pianists who wasted their money on a TOTL arranger keyboard when they could have bought a digital piano and a drum machine and saved themselves 3k.

What they did was capitalize on their singing voices or audience interaction to sell themselves. There’s nothing wrong with that as long as people are entertained. But my personal opinion is most audiences nowadays are so used to bad music or hum-drum repetitive music that you can get away with anything. And that includes singing every song and playing everything in the same style and never playing a good “ride” on your keyboard to break up the vocals.

These players could not hold a candle to the worst of the 1940’s big band orchestra players. I was listening to Tommy Dorsey play “So Rare” (popular in the 50’s). That’s one of the best sax solo’s I ever heard. And there's Harry James doing a wonderfully melodic "It's Been A Long, Long Time." I thought I was gong to hear something like that posted in this thread. All I heard was vocals and piano.......vocals and piano.......vocals and piano!

I wasted 90 minutes of my life watching these Youtube’s thinking I’ll pick up something like Gary always talks about. The only thing to “pick up” is what NOT to do. Example: if you’re that good a pianist playing in the Paris Underground, don’t play improvised runs up and down the keyboard. Play songs that people know and can sing to. Maybe then they’ll get some coins tossed into their bonnet.

Being a great OMB is not only about how well you play but also how well you know the art of “working” an audience as Gary has testified already.

I'm sure you can tell by now, it ticks me off to see performers who make no effort to learn how to actually play their instrument.......and optimize every tool at one's musical disposal. Not just the vocals and piano.......vocals and piano.......vocals and piano!

MARK

and sings too !!

and your worried about carrying a 30lb speaker?...

I'm too impatient or too lazy or too dumb or too old, to learn to play guitar, so I'm getting a keytar. Hope they weigh less than 30 lbs.


chas

Keytars are neat, Chas. I believe you would really enjoy playing it. And, yes, they are very lightweight as well.

Gary

Diki plays the heck out of one.

Viva the ‘key tar’! … Started using a Yamaha ‘keytar’ infrequently years ago as a novelty … couldn’t play accompaniment styles with it, so I never could use it for an entire gig. Now, I use midi files and sing almost exclusively on NH and shorter gigs with the “keytar’ and Midjay Plus. I haven’t carried my keyboard to about the last 2 dozen gigs. My Italian restaurant gig has been with the midi accordion and ‘keytar’ for the last year or so.
Ciao,
Jerry

In the trenches last Night......