lets not forget the OP we are talking LIVE venues in todays atmosphere...not your living room.
I don't fight change ....I embrace it and adapt. Nothing lats for ever.

Actually the OP is talking live venues in the US of A... Which has never been arranger country in the first place..

When I travel in Mexico I do see lots guys performing with arrangers but not here in the U.S.

so that's an indication that it's more prevalent in Europe, Latin countries, etc, vs the USA telling you that recreating american style music with an arranger kb is less popular in some ways to the masses, .......automatic computerized music just keeps changing like any other technological devices and will continue to do so for many years to come for sure.Making yourself happy playing music in your home is one thing and fine at that,.........doing it professionally for the ever changing public tastes and trends for money is a totally other ball game.
Its all good its Music.

Lots of good comments here and I agree I've never seen an Arranger Player out there either. I use one because it allows me to sound bigger and more danceable. At the Jersey Shore I got introduced to all the acts using tracks. Solo's, dous, trios, etc.
I gave in and started using them too. I don't like it and even though I still plsy the keyboard parts I feel like a Kareoke singer.
I now use Styles, SMF, and DJ. As others have said people don't care how the music comes out as long as its good and you have good vocals.
Here in the South its Guitar land and people really don't relate to the keyboard. Just saw a duo last night. Guy strumming an acoustic and singing with his wife. They were borderline OK but thats the norm here.
I'm not doing the Johnny Lounge thing with the wireless mic and total canned music, its not me. So I guess I'll just hang on.

Good post Bill it's sad but true...

Atta boy Bill, you can prostitute yourself just so far. You have to live with yourself too.

Bernie

I think I have expressed my preference more than once here, which is that I would much prefer to play with other musicians than do a solo act ... but I have seen several venues where there is a solo or duo vocalist(s) singing to backing tracks on a laptop, so I have one question: why is THAT more acceptable than a OMB performing with an arranger???
Also, I have seen many 3 - 4 piece pop groups using a KB to play backing tracks to 'enhance' the arrangements of songs they are playing, because they don't have enough musicians to play the entire arrangement - why is THAT more acceptable than a OMB performing with an arranger???

I recently saw a quite popular 8 piece 50's - 60's cover band out of NY playing at one of the Connecticut casinos ... during one song I asked my wife to see who was singing a certain background vocal part - she said she didn't see anyone singing it ... I said "exactly my point in asking..."

As for not seeing an arranger in a band - PLEASE,WE HAVE BEATEN THAT HORSE TO DEATH - the reason is that there are other MUSICIANS playing the accompaniment part that the arranger does for a OMB !

I don't know how long AKBs and/or OMBs will be popular but I am fairly sure they will outlive me ... or at least my playing career ...
And I will enjoy playing until no one hires me anymore ...

And I will enjoy playing until no one hires me anymore ...

You and me both. As I've said numerous times before no one cares how the music comes out as long as its good and the vocals are always the focal point. Live, tracks, don't matter no one knows or cares.

Btw another of my favorite quotes is "you don't leave the business, its leaves you "
AKA Crazy Hugie from Keansburg NJ in the 70's. The man had vision LOL !!!

Huey was a legend at the Shore Point Inn!! All Rando is still gigging at Brennans too.