Ah Chas, my diligent "standard bearer". And Ian, my man! A great, well thought out analysis of what's going on in the on-going debate about the status of popular music, instruments,, venues, etc.

You both are "right", in my view.

My thing now is, use arrangers as convenient, money generating tools, but, don't use them as crutches to avoid learning how to play. In other words, don't end up looking like a "tool" LOL!.

I'm willing to pay other players out of my share to get to a better place, performance-wise. But, I'm lucky enough to have a little left for myself, and am NOT an ENTERTAINER, so I need the help (even though 2/3 of my work is as a single).

The thing is, PLAY. Play as well as you can, as often as you can.

Set your standards and try like hell to meet them.

And have fun in the process.

Along the way, we may all be lucky enough to have folks like Chas, Ian and our "wounded warrior, Don" as our close friends.

And that's GREAT!


Russ

P.S. I'll be going to Australia this year, with only two instruments: a jazz guitar, and, you guessed an (UGH) arranger. After I get home and cash that check, I'll feel a lot better about the process LOL!

Be well, all!