An afterthought for rgtaa: I guess I don't cater to my audience, if that's what you're asking. They typically ask for what other performers they've heard play and I don't play that. Of course, those who have heard me and know what I play find favorites in my songlist that they can ask for and I oblige.

Pro!
Great response!
Thanks for clarifing your ideas ...you seem to be able to assess the situation and Play your ACES to your advantage ... from what you write.

I guess you are just advocating alternative way of looking at proforming and club work... you gave me something to think about.


rgtaa

I don't like to sound skeptical but I think the person who dubs himself as "The Pro" is full of "Barbra Strisand". When someone toots their own horn that much I get wary. 50 bucks in tips, in one night by not taking any requests and only playing what he likes stretches the limits of belief. I think the only market that will give him 50 bucks in tips is the market that exists in his own mind.

Enough of us actually know Uncle Dave and Donny and Don and Scott Yee and some of the others to know that what they say is true. We know where they live and where they play. We have seen and heard them.

Mr. Pro, Where can we hear you perform? Why don't you post some of your music on the net for all of us to hear? Do you have another day job? Do you have a real name? You might be on the level but I have my doubts.

Tom

Tom!
Are you suggesting that THE PRO ...take off his Mask and reveal himself!
Sounds good to me!
Come out of the Closet PRO!
Don't be a Closet PRO!
rgtaa

As a funny aside!
Imagine if THE PRO really was Elton John or someone like that!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tom Cavanaugh:
[B]I don't like to sound skeptical but I think the person who dubs himself as "The Pro" is full of "Barbra Strisand". When someone toots their own horn that much I get wary.
___________________________________________
Now we are getting down to the nuts & bolts .Just because someone joins in but happens to have an alternative point of view then the fan club decide it can't happen and this guy Pro can't be real because he sounds too good to be true so he must be telling some untruths that is what is being implied here.
I think that some of you fan club guys need to take time out & look back at some of your own old posts & reflect on some of the past statements that have been made concerning self importance

I'm not Elton John, though I play some of his music on tv (if my keyboard is hooked up to it). And the issue for me is privacy and my right to it. There's nothing to hide. Believe what I've said or don't... $50 in tips is neither unusual or worth lying about.

By the time you read this, both Tom and Eric should be getting an email sample of my live music, and rgtaa: well like me, you didn't list your email address so you get no surprise.

Pro,
Believe it or not I would agree with some of your comments. I think there is always a place for inovative performers challenging the popular and accepted genres of the time. If there are not artists willing to take the risk then any art form becomes stale.

I also agree that all any of us can do is to make the best of what we have and run with it. However, (I bet you knew that was coming ) what constantly underlies your posts, (in this thread at least), is your complete antipathy to anything or anyone who in your opinion fit your 'swell guy' performer model.

You seem to be saying that you are successful, (and i do not dispute that you are), despite not having the advantages taken for granted by 'swell guy'. Well that is fine and all credit to you for it but why then the need to qualify it by pouring scorn on those who you feel fit the 'swell guy' type. Even the term itself is negative and invites images of hair gel and medallions...to me at least!

You have made a lot of assumptions about people here without actually bothering to get to know them first. Of course that works both ways and I admit that I have formed an opinion about you and in reality know nothing about you.

For example I made a throw away 'gag' about sipping gin and you seem to have me down as an aged Noel Coward 'sniping away at an audience. Would that I had the talent but nothing could be futher from the truth. I am not a 'swell guy', am not one of the beautiful people and have never had it easy. Like you I have had to fight to be where I am (I am not a performer) but the difference is that I hold no grudge against anyone who had a bit more help getting there.

I am the first to admit that my posting style can come across as moralistic and high handed. I don't intend it that way but when you feel passionate and protective about something, ( as I as many others do about this BBS) then I suppose it is easy to get all evangelical about it.

Your confrontational style is not, (to use an English expression), my cup of tea. All it has achieved is to make me think of you a certain way when quite probably you are not as I assume at all. Whatever merit your subsequent posts or advice have they now have to break that barrier first (with me at least). Probably my loss, but again it works both ways. Anything I have said to you is probably dismissed as the ravings of a gin soaked octogenarian BBS control freak. (In the interests of clarity I am 32 and gin makes me sick )

Of course you are quite free to be as confrontational as you please. You can rock the boat all you want. Nothing comes for free though and you can't shake things up by taking your 'shots' and not expect the natives to shoot back.

Tony

I don't have time for verbal wrestling, but I would really like to hear your music, Pro.
DonM (Swell Guy)
dmason43@bellsouth.net www.donmasonmusic.com

this thread is like the movie groundhog day....I can't get past today...it's the same day..... over and over and over and over and over and over and over....cmon guys...you all got some great points....lets get on with life.....I belive the topic was how much does one charge for different gigs?????

[This message has been edited by B2 (edited 09-09-2002).]