[QUOTE]Originally posted by Stephenm52:
[B]Likewise Happy V day to everyone.

I'm gonna throw my 2 cents in about my one and only Valentine gig this afternoon. I took a personal day from my full time job to do this one.

This was a Valentine's luncheon at an assisted living center. Probably about 125 in attendance. Some of you may recall that about 8 months or so ago I asked for some advice on how I could get more gigs. I'm primarily a background pianist/keyboard no singing yet. Many of you commmented you gotta do some singing to really get the ball rolling. Someone else commented if you don't sing tell a story about the music your playing. That's pretty much what I've been doing, stories that is. And it's working. I also started taking some voice lessons.

Today as I was getting ready to close the activity director said they wanted to do this singing Valentine greeting that the staff would sing to the residents. I picked out a midi file/karoke version of New York, New York. Next thing you know the activity director said we really need your help singing, since everyone is mumbling and stumbling. Short story is I made my singing debut with the midi file as my background. Everyone loved it, I did the lead and about 10 others followed my lead. I'm not ready for prime time and I don't have the testicular fortitude to post my singing here I will tell you that much.

But more than anything and as still a relative newcomer to gigging the thing that made my day was the activity director said be sure to save next Valentine's day of '07 to come back to play, as well as giving more dates this year. That is a first (getting booked a year in advance). I also just singed a contract with a local univeristy to play at some year end award banquets. Thanks for all the good advice I've been getting here!! As strongly recommended, been doing my share of practicing and then some more as well.

you just SINGED a contract
Once you get started (singing) you can't stop... Just kidding.

Thanks for sharing that story with a great happy ending. Way to go!


[This message has been edited by MrEd (edited 02-14-2006).]

Steve - oooooooo ... GREAT JOB !!! ... just stay away from my territory !!! ...
I think I had told you that once you get the crowd singing YOU don't have to be a great vocalist ... Nice going ...
t.

Stephen,

Way to go. There is only one rule about singing, NEVER follow Don Mason. After they have heard Don everyone else sounds bad.

Tom

Here's the love back at ya....

Happy Valentines Day.

I told you that you could do it!

Keep em' happy,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

DonM, Tony, Mr Ed, TomC, Gary thanks, appreciate your replies.

Tony no worries about your territory, as a Rhode Islander you know I don't like to drive further than 20 minutes away from home

Sorry I'm late but I had a triple yesterday and another triple today. Happy Valentine's day ya'll. Looks like love is in the air.

Ciao,

Joe

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Songman55
Joe Ayala

Way to go Stephen:

We're all proud of you. Keep plugging 'cause it's just like landing a 747... the more you do it, the easier it gets. Please keep us posted about your progress from time to time.

All my best to you and the rest of the Zoners and... by the way, Happy St. Valentines Day. (A day late... sorry!)

Dave Rice