Think about this....

Thanks, Donny ...

+1!

It's who we are, it's what we do. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

The other side of that coin is a songwriter who does not consider himself a musician, does not sing that well but uses an Arranger Keyboard to help listeners understand the song's melody and lyric. Performing in public is not in my "wheelhouse."

Without the Arranger... I would not have been able to write, sing and record my little catalog of songs... now in excess of 1000 not including instrumentals and children's musicals.

I admire and envy those of you who "have all the talent and desire to perform." Some of you are so much better than you realize and if today's music scene were not already over-crowded... you would be house-hold names... and pretty darn wealthy.

This is a great place for songwriters to learn new tricks... hear some great performances and discover Arranger capabilities and rumors about new model Arrangers about to be released.

Thanks to all of you and especially Nigel for sharing with us.

Songwriters write the songs musicians preform so both are equally important .
Barry Manilow--- I write the songs that make the who,e World sing"
So true , we both provide a valuable service and love doing it.

+1
So there, Dave

Heee, heee ... Barry didn't actually write that one!

Bruce Johnston wrote it for David Cassidy in 1975.

And Barry spent the money...

A great message Donny, John C.

And.... STILL SPENDING IT!!!



PS - BIG FINISH!

Likewise, Barry didn't write Mandy.. It was originally written and recorded as Brandy, By Scott English (co wrote with Richard Kerr) in 1971. Barry changed the name to Mandy after his dog and recorded it in 1974.

Barry just sang it better, that's all. That song is also one of my least favorite stabs by Sinatra. He put out a few clunkers towards the end, and "I sing the songs" is one of them. The "LA is my Lady" album is actually hard to listen to.

Picky picky !
Just trying to show the importance of both songwriters and performers. Unfortunately the writers get overlooked. It's all about the singers

Keep it going south

How about the guy that wrote I write the songs.

Aside from "Copacabana" & "They Dance",
Does today's generation wanna hear any Barry Manilow at a party your performing at or even know who he is? let alone playing it on an arranger...

Had a request for Mandy last week. Guess what the girl's name was?

What does today's generation got to do with us?

No one wants to hear a group of "old goats", and arranger keyboard has nothing to do with it

Today's generation doesn't even know what good music is.. look at todays offerings..

My audience is very mixed in age. A surprising number of the younger ones request older songs once they know that is what I mostly do. They often tell me that they grew up listening to their parents' music and they know the songs and that they bring back good memories.
My main gripe is the young ones from six to twelve years old who want to get up and "dance" to "dance" music while their doting parents look around the room to see who all is watching their darlings gyrate. Sometimes I'll pull a couple of their songs up on YouTube and indulge them, but usually I don't. "Watch me Ney Ney" BS.
The fact that I'm playing an arranger NEVER comes into the picture, unless it's another musician wondering about the technology. No one but us even knows the term "arranger".

Your right on Fran. I couldn’t tell you a top 40 song if you asked. Funny thing is...I couldn’t care less
JM

Well Fran you have hit it on the head
I have highlighted the key words..

just helping the conversation go further ..........................



https://youtu.be/_xUGCB1PLNM

Bill didn't teach you how to post videos?...just sayin'

That said is there a Lawrence Welk TRIBUTE BAND?

Lawrence Welk never played HIS OWN music ...
Just sayin' ...

Your parents said exactly the same thing about the music you play as it is generational, and as it should be if music is to move forward.

Bill

Unless you are a successful musician which in that case all you do is play, sleep and enjoy yourself while the roadies do the work for you.

Bill

I'm tryin Donnie

Bill I am so proud of you.....!!


Ps...and a big Dino Dineli fan always also ..