You guys must really have some problems. Sure, I've had people come up to me and ask if I had such and such of a song in there, to which I tell them NO! I tell them "All the songs are in my head, and I only perform the songs the voices in my head tell me to do." Sometimes that results in a strange look as they sulk away from whence they came. Most of the time, it brings a big smile, especially when I just hit a button and begin playing and singing the song before they walk away.

I think the funniest thing that every happened was when I was doing a huge job for the Susquehanna Shriner's convention, probably about 300 ppl in the audience, most of which were even older than myself. A lady came up to me, on the stage, and while I was playing and singing a song, she began asking me questions, which was driving me nuts. I ended the song early, never muted the mic and said "Maam, I find it very difficult to sing, play and talk at the same time. She said "Oh my God, then that was you singing, and playing, too?" I nodded my head and went right into the next song. She walked off the stage, trotted over to her table, and shook her finger at her husband and said very loudly, "Damned Fred, he was really singing and playing - it's not a recording!" He smiled, got up and headed for the men's room.

For me, the only challenges have come from Dom Mason, who frequently hits me with a neat song I've never heard and has me learn and post it. Usually, it takes me a day or two to accomplish this, but I usually manage to get it done.

Unlike DNJ, who says we must all succumb to the younger audience demands, I just keep on doing what I have been doing for more than three decades - entertaining my audiences. I'm not a Boo or Chas kinda musician, can't read a note, at least not well enough to play from the dots, and I don't utilize dozens of passing chords in ever song. Just a meat and potatoes kinda entertainer. I look at the audience in front of me, figure out what they want to hear, and go to work. I usually get lots of compliments at the end of the job, a fair dollar amount in tips and get invited back on a regular basis.

I guess I could do a DJ job or KJ job if I had to, but in reality, I really never had anyone ask me to do them. While I was in the Florida Keys I played for lots of younger audiences, they seemed to really enjoy what I did, but I can tell you that Spring Breakers do not tip worth a damned. And for the most part, the younger audiences didn't tip well either. The older audiences loved to dance, sang along with me, and they were the ones that tipped the best. I also discovered that locals rarely tip, but the older, out of town visitors were dropping 10s and 20s in the tip jug ever night.

I've never had anyone personally abuse me on stage, no one has thrown rotten tomatoes at me, some panties and bras, maybe (I wish), and by and large, every audience I've ever entertained has been wonderful. Maybe it's because I'm south of the Mason/Dixon Line and life is a little slower down here - Don't know for sure, though.

All the best,

Gary