Like Tony Mads, I had my first paying gig back in the 1950’s with a 5 piece “combo” We were called a wedding band back then although we played everything from sock hops, and proms to bowling banquets and spaghetti suppers as well as weddings. I did play trombone in a big band and a community concert band. The band broke up when our drummer and sax player went on the road and I started playing in gin mills and dives with a trio. After a 4 year stint with Uncle Sam and 5 years of college, I did about 25 years as a children’s entertainer using cassette taped accompaniments. In the late 70’s, I tried to get a band together again. After only a half dozen gigs the band thing fizzled … seemed that a couple of old band mates acquired drug and alcohol problems. I made and used a cutdown Cordovox with a little toy like Casio for rhythms and eventually a drum machine. In the mid 90’s, it was the Korg i5M with an Excelsior Digisyzer and an i5S. I was playing in 3 different restaurants during the week, a different venue every weekend; Cooperate parties, picnics, product launchings, dinner dances … 2 of the restaurants changed hands and I was out. I played in a one of restaurants for 13 years and have been cut back to one night per month; I have only 2 cooperate functions per year now. I was not replaced by a DJ on any of these gigs (Although DJ’s did move in on most of the New Years Eve. gigs in this area). I am becoming what most people in discussion are referring to. I am now taking agency jobs – in nursing homes - for less money than I had been making. I’m relying more and more on sequences so that I can fit into whatever the theme of the day is at the NH. This week I was called for a gig and asked to include karaoke in the performance. I accepted. I have no idea how to do karaoke yet, but I’ll do it. I LOVE playing out. Now, I play less, entertain more and eat regularly.