Well I can hardly argue with Russ's credentials.

I hope I can do half as much in MY lifetime.

It's also hopeful to me that he is still in the business at his age (in his 60's??) - I am half that age and worried about longevity already (!)

I do notice however that he signed off with "MUCH care and RESPECT" etc after having uttered the line...

"I laugh a little at the "entertainers" who place style over substance (not my preference, obviously)."

I'm not sure that was such a respectful thing to say.

Perhaps he is talking about the WORST kind of entertainer that degrades two art forms ("Musicianship" and "Entertaining") I'm not sure.

You see, whilst there ARE many forms of "Entertaining" (a broad term to be sure) I think that being an Entertainer AND a Musician are two seperate (yet of course "linked") art forms, and I myself am struggling to be good at both.

I don't think anyone should be derisive of either.

I know myself coming from an acting background (college trained) that it's an art to entertain the audience even with simple, direct, topical stage banter - hell there's a lot of different ways to do even THAT!

In my Duo work, I work with my wife to be a "serious" musician AND vocalist AND Entertainer (I'm a vocalist first, an Entertainer second and a Musician third) but there you have 3 distinct, difficult and involved disciplines.

I'm still waitng for the day when I get good at all 3!!!

Here's hoping....