Don, thanks for the reply. And I must say, an honest and well thought out one at that. As a business man all my life, I suppose it figures that I always had an interest in people. People, because without people I would have no business. Always had a dance band or played in one since I was sixteen. A secondary endeavor that soothed the stress of contracting. That also needs people in order to be successful. I always had success in both ventures but soon realized success is not just success but comes in different flavors. Make a good living or make a very, very good living. Early on I realized there is a difference in people also. In reflection it was in my music interests that I really first noticed it. Playing saloons, tacky night clubs and such the piano usually was an out of tune older upright. Everything else seemed to match. Once in a while we would play some real nice engagements. I think when I was young I would call it real class! There also, everything seemed to match, even the people were different. I think it was Bill the bone player and Rolly the drummer that noticed that also. At one of the practices the subject was brought up and we had quite a discussion. The end of the story is we all got tuxes, we replaced our music stands with professionally painted stands, invested in a bit of lighting among other things such as placing some advertising in some of the key areas. Also had some custom arrangements done for us. Within the next two or three years what a transformation. Not only the type of work but the attitudes of the guys in the band. The ones that were hanging back at first were the most gung-ho to improve things. Applied that mindset to my contracting after a while and never have looked back. I guess Uncle Dave's post about pro�s being hard to deal with, bargain shoppers, broke and such nudged some of these old memories. You hit it right on the head, Don. Most of the players around you play Yamaha because you do. Only confirms my observations, most people are followers and not leaders. Uncle Dave got his hands confused with each other? Now that one you got me on. Hands confused? Don�t have a clue! Fill me in on that one, the old brain might be getting a little thick. As for the rest of your post you have explained your self very well. Seems like the choice of keyboards may be due more to areas of the country and the grouping of people more than anything else. The upper midwest, where I live, seems to be alive with Technics keyboards and players and upper end equipment of all kinds. I have tried and tried to see other makes but without much luck. Some makes none. Others like Yamaha top end stuff only every once in a while. Saw a 9000pro last fall at a dealer in Skokie. They were a Yamaha dealer. Lots of Yamaha dealers but none carry the top line stuff, he was the only one I found. Not even a prs 2000. He had that pro for quite a long time before he sold it. Lots of the cheaper stuff. Said the better stuff did not sell well and that is the reason they all gave me as why they did not stock them. Played that one many times but could never get past the styles and guess I was spoiled with what I had. Finally Guitar Center got a Tyros in two weeks ago. First one they had. Went back three times to give it a fair go. Some things were nice but never lit a spark in me. So Don, thanks for your view and I think you have given me a better understanding of the thought process in people. I believe the thing that troubles me the most is the follower mindset of people as you mentioned. Kind of reminds me of all those little ducks following in a row. Anyway, enjoyed your post and how you reason things out. Got his hands confused with each other? I just gotta know about that one.

Grandpa Doug