Back in July I was looking for some feedback on my playing. I pretty much said something wasn't clicking in my playing and wasn't as busy as I would like to be. Much of my target market was nursing and retirement homes.

My original post was at this thread:http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/011063.html

Well, there was some great advice much revolved around audience interaction and I have put it to use.


Well, I'm happy to give some feedback of what's been going on and it is positive. I no longer just play for folks and briefly say thank you. I now open my peformances with a warm and sincere greeting to all those who are there to listen and usually joke with the audience in some way. Between each song I give a little bit of history on the song i.e. who sang it, who wrote it etc. And if the original artist has a colorful history, I go to town with the story. (as a former career sales guy I can really whip up the BS if I have to). I played 2 gigs on Saturday and they were very successfull. I had the audience answering questions and had a great dialogue going my audience at both venues.

I have been taking voice lessons the last 8 weeks and am making some progress there, but have a way....................... to go in the department.

Thanks for all the original suggestions.

Steve ... glad to hear things are going well ... I don't know if you play "Crazy" which was written by Willie Nelson, but the story is that one of the times Willie was 'down and out' he sold the song to Patsy Cline for $500 ... no doubt the best $500 she ever invested... It remains as the 'most played jukebox song in history' ...
t.

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Thanks Tony, yes I do play "Crazy" I'll have to add that tidbit when I play.

this is wonderful news for you!!
Keep at it, sounds like your moving forward in a big way!!

Jill

Steve,

This is what being a musician/performer is all about. Read and adapt.

If you are weak in an area, read it and then strengthen it.

Congratulations! Your on the right track.

Al

Steve...

Glad to know you've made such progress is so short a time, that's great. Keep it up, the more you improve the more fun you'll have at it (not to mention the $).

Glenn

Steve, ... I'm glad things are working out ... but, hey, I don't need any more competition in the singer/keyboardist department ... stick to instrumentals !!! .....
t.

Tony:

Worry 'bout nothin' my friend, I've got a long way to go, by the time I'm ready to sing on a gig, you may be retired

Are there any other song tidbits out there? I liked that Willie Nelson info!

Doc-Z

Many know Ray Charles was blind, but I never knew(until seeing the movie "Ray") his real history,the problems with heroin addiction(much stemming from the fact he felt responsible for the drowning death of his brother) and that he was a womanizer.

I also have a unique story to tell when I play Fats Waller's "Ain't Mishbehavin." My grandfather had a butcher shop in the Bronx back in the 40s and 50s. Waller's wife was a customer at his shop.

Doc-z your web site is a sharp looking site. I'm looking forward to your updates to it.