Hi All.......

Hi Everyone...I just don't get in here enough, lol. It seems that I'm always doing something and get too busy etc. Just an update on some previous things. First, the Elvis project fell through. Sadly, most Elvis tribute artists are using Karaoke backing tracks, and they expect that a "live" 4 or 5 piece band can somehow duplicate a studio-recorded 30 piece backing track. Without using any pre-recorded sequences, it's virtually impossible, and we had agreed that we didn't want to use anything pre-recorded, that the performance would be totally "live". That, coupled with the price of gas (I was driving 210 miles round trip to get to rehearsals) sort of doomed things.
I have become a member at "Musicians Contact". This site hooks bands and individuals up for possible work. It's mainly a West coast site, however, there are some bands and individuals looking for work here on the East coast. I noticed that there is a female vocalist looking for an accompanist - she lives in West Palm Beach (your area, John C.). Her name is Diane DeAngelo, very impressive credentials etc. I did send her an introductory email, we'll see if anything develops. For anyone wishing to check out the site, it's http://www.musicianscontact.com I'm also looking into some cruise ship work as a single act...tough nut to crack, but I've sent some inquiries out. Hopefully something will come of them.
The Florida Jam was a success, everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. Ron Platen and his wife Judy will be putting up an internet website shortly strictly for 7000 owners. It will be password protected, and hopefully will have some 7000 sequences available for d/l, as well as offering some of the tutorials available on different 7000-related playing/performing aspects. More to follow on this. The password feature is to (hopefully) eliminate certain individuals from ripping off files then putting them up on their particular website and charging a fee to get them (yes, it does go on).
Other than the above, not a lot going on here in Central Florida. Playing jobs are few and far between..the DJ's have really put a hurt on "live" music in this area. I just learned the other day that a DJ nailed a young married couple $300 for a 3 hour gig...heck, I don't charge that much for a local gig. Just goes to show you how tough times have become for we live players.
Sorry for the rambling...just wanted everyone to know that I'm still kickin' lol.

There are 8P's in marketing and the most important is 'positioning'....wanna know more?
Rog

Certainly Rog....go for it, always willing to listen to constructive advice.

Jim ... good to see you back ... too bad about the Elvis project ... sounded like it would have been fun ...
Once you realized that a 4 - 5 piece group wasn't going to cut it well enough, couldn't you re-think the 'backing trax' idea?
t.

It really wasn't me who had decided on the totally live playing. Honestly, I told the 2 guys who had made this decision that if they were going to attempt to copy the Elvis "That's The Way It Was" Las Vegas show with 5 guys, it was going to be very difficult to do. If I had 5 hands, I might have been able to provide all the strings, horns, organ/piano, etc. that the show required. It was an experience to say the least, lol. The drive over to St. Pete really made it not possible for me to continue.

Hi Jim
Good to see you posting here. The DJ's have invaded my area too. Luckily, I don't have to compete with them. Besides my church job, and two shows a week at our culteral center, I fill in with assisted living gigs. They are usually one hour shows, and since I keep a rig in my van, I can do a paid one for $100.
Bernie

Sometimes a person Can not see himself clearly, what is so apparent to someone else seems hidden from that person.

Jim, The longevity of a OMB professional musician is somewhere between the ages of 60 and 78 years of age, then backing off is not a bad idea. The longevity of a piano player goes beyond that, and he does not have to carry all the stuff we do. If I had your hands I would be in a high-end country club playing all the important piano events.

I am on the tuning staff of PGA National Resorts, they use piano players in many areas, and there is always another piano to be tunes for a performer. The piano jobs that are available in the Palm Beach set is unbelievable, and they pay very well. A singing piano player with average talent is even in more demand, I find you to have far more than average talent.

Roger, I think pointed to the problem, marketing yourself, but not as a keyboard player. The most successful OMB is the one who has the ability to put on a performance/show, normally they are average players, the keyboard does so much that they have no need to improve in that area, it is not where their interest lies. Whereas a piano player is exposed, it is just him and the piano with 2 to 3 pedals below. If he can, sing all the better. If he can sing and put on a bit of a show he will never be without work.

And, in my opinion, that’s where Jim Helwig needs to be if he wishes to successfully continue in the music business.

Part 2 – Things I forgot.

Not to be misunderstood – I love playing keyboards, I have been playing one professionally since 1984. If you want to know what my talent in music really is we must go back to the days I played guitar. The only gimmick I used was reverb and an amplifier, everything else was just me my guitar and my voice, that was me.

This does not make little of the keyboards we love, it is only another view for people like Jim Helwig. There is no better way to sound like a full great big band than a KN7000, I enjoy it, no I love it. The other side of the coin talks about talent without the bells and whistles, both arte precious.

IMHO, John C.

OK Jim - this is not specifically you - this is anybody.
What we offer as pro keyboard players is a product/service. It has to marry with perceived needs of the audience by the retailer of your product/service.
So firstly we must find out what is in demand and how that compares with what we currently have to offer.
This analysis involves the use of the 8P's which are: Product, Place, Price, Positioning, Publicity, Promotion, People, and Process.
As John has intimated there are many alternative 'products' you could offer including DJ/Disco which I also provide as a matter of interest... Which ones are in most demand and there is a shortage of supply.
Where is it most likely (place) that you would be able to offer this product/service.
What price can you demand for this product/service.
How are you going to create the right image in the minds of your customers by positioning both yourself and your product/service to meet this demand.
Publicity is the above the line activity which you employ to communicate about yourself to potential customers e.g. advertising.
Promotion is the below the line activity which you employ. e.g PR pack and demo CDs etc.
People is who are you going to approach and how...and then what Process are you going to use to approach them and clinch the deal.
Rog

A bit more about 'Positioning'...
What we are all looking for is a USP - unique selling point...a differentiator...something that sets you apart. Your positioning could be any of these or many others...the keyboard player who:
cracks jokes as well; responds instantly to any musical request; has a great team of singers which he/she backs; is able to provide disco as well as playing live; creates a funky atmosphere which definitely gets the audience on their feet dancing etc etc etc
Or perhaps all of these if you're a real genius...I am joking of course...
Look at how different food stores position themselves differently from one another to meet the needs of the niche they have identified as THEIR GROUND.
Hope all this helps.
Rog

Thanks so much to all of you. Much of the input has been pretty much "right on". I've taken a good assessment of the situation I face, and have arrived at the following:
1. Central Florida, as much as I love it, is hardly the entertainment "Mecca" of the world. Basically, in the Sebring/Lake Placid area, we have a few service organizations that are barely staying above water (Elks, Moose, VFW, Legion, etc.) They all offer some form of entertainment, mainly DJ's, however, simply can't afford to pay a decent wage for an evening's work. There is quite a bit of "Country" in demand here, which (except for a few Country Classics) I really don't perform. So, I've arrived at the conclusion that if I intend to make any sort of living by performing, this area is "out".
2. Both the East and West coasts of Florida are where things are "happening" musically. So, that's where I intend to concentrate my efforts. It will involve travel, so be it.
3. Back in the late 60's and through the 70's, I played with some great bands. I was the Musical Director (so to speak) with most of them, determined the tunes played in "sets" as well as organizing the various harmonies required for vocals. I enjoyed this type of work, and honestly feel that group playing is becoming more and more of a real option. Actually, it's much easier than doing a single. Many bands now can play the "classics" of the 60's and 70's, but ask them for "Moonlight In Vermont" and you get a blank stare. I can do the 60's/70's stuff as well as provide needed support for the older tunes. I honestly think that what I would bring to the table would be welcomed by most bands.
4. John, honestly, my piano technique is so old and rusty...I did several "cocktail" type jobs, but was never comfortable. I'm an organist/keyboardist and have never pretended to be able to carry a job on piano. If, in your tuning travels, you happen upon a venue that might consider a keyboard single/vocalist, please let me know....
5. I have contacted a couple of bands advertising on Musicians Contact. One was out of Cocoa Beach, Florida (The Elite Showband) and the other was a group out of West Palm Beach (On The Roxx). So far, the dialogue has been good...both groups are asking for a an experienced keyboard player, and both groups have upcoming cruise ship gigs lined up, as well as other corporate and night-club jobs. Nothing "concrete" yet, but I'll keep everyone posted if one "hits".
Again, I do thank everyone who added to this thread, it is most appreciated.
Jim Helwig

A slight correction. In my original post, I said that the name of the female singer over in West Palm was Diane DeAngelo...actually her name is Diane DeNoble. She maintains a website for her "On The Roxx" band which has some nice clips etc. The website is worth a look - it's http://www.dianedenoble.com

I've had a look Jim and can see exactly the style of music she delivers. You may need some style files that you currently don't have e.g. I Will Survive etc etc
I've no doubt that she too is looking to replicate the original sound which can be readily achieved on the KN7000 - get in touch with me if you find that you need more style files of the more modern pop music genre.
Rog

Thanks for the offer Rog. I haven't gotten far enough along to determine if she's interested in using any sequences along with the live performance. In her song clips, it's obvious that she's using some form of Karaoke files, however, in the video's, it sounds live. I kept waiting for the keyboard player to do the horn licks in the vid "Shake Your Booty"...he must've been having a bad day, they weren't there, lol. If you're gonna do KC and the Sunshine Band, those horns better be there. One tune I had in mind for her (and I have a dynamite keyboard and vocal arrangement which would fit her to a "T") is the old Kiki Dee song "I've Got The Music In Me". A band I used to work with used it as the opening song, and the place went nuts, lol. If I find that I need those styles, I'll email you directly. Thanks again. Jim H.