How did yours go?

I didn't even plug in a mic. This chest cold made it impossible to talk, much less sing. My duo "Party of Two" played a homeowners association of about 300 ranging in age from 45 to 70. Great crowd. They danced. They sang. They responded to almost everything enthusiastically.

Despite the fact I couldn't do vocals, which eliminated a lot of R&R and Country, my female singer, Joni Maybury, came through with flying colors. She is best known for her renditions of songs from the 30s & 40s, so I was prepared to do mostly all her Big Band stuff. But, when a request for Proud Mary came in, she said she would do it....and boy, did she do it. She brought three party animals up on stage as "back-up dancers and singers" and, together, they brought the house down. That was just one of the highlights of the night. It was a very upbeat night...and no crazy drunks.

I am about to spring for the PSR 3000, but not because I am in anyway disatisfied with the 2000. It did all I asked of it and then some. But, I am really looking forward to eliminating the "Floppy-Swappy" with the 3000's USB and Smart Card storage capabilities.

So....how did your NY's Eve go?

Eddie

Mine went a little less fun that expected, especially since I've done this same gig for the past four NYE's. The people didn't seem happy with my music, but everytime I'd switch to some style of music they asked for someone else would come up and ask for something else. It was similar to the room thermostat - everyone went over and changed it and the room was constantly going from too hot to too cold. I played 90 minutes and took a quick bathroom break only to have some grumpy old bag get pissed off at me. The same old bag got mad again after the party ended when I danced to the break music with my wife and she huffed out of the room waving her arms and complaining that the music had stopped (that's what happens when the party is over, you old bat...). All in all everything went ok and I'm highlighting the low points - the hostess even told me they wanted me back again next year, but I think it's time for a change of NYE venues. They'll be a better group to play to year after next after they get some bad entertainment and I raise my price...

Just another fun night in Paradise. Had about 30 folks here, played and sang for about 3 hours, everyone had fun and they all left about 1:15 a.m.. By 2:30 we had the place cleaned up, looked at the cluster of emails and tried to figure out what to do with all the leftover snack food.

Most of the chips and crackers will become bird food during the next week, the dips are already gone, most of the other stuff, other than a half-dozen bottles of champange, was consumed.

As for the music end, I used the Alesis 6 channel mixer, fired the keyboard, mics and guitar through it and used the Z-5500--it was awesome. The guitar sounded better than ever, the vocals were crisp and clean, and every sound from the keboard was incredibly sharp.

Rolled out of bed at 9:30 to one of the warmest New Year's Day in decades, temperature is nearly 60 degrees and the sun is shining. Like I said, just another fun day in Paradise.

Gary

Had a banner night! Easy to please crowd, excellent acoustics in the room, nice high stage ( my "drunk" barrier! )older crowd, very little drinking, really a nice, nice, friendly crowd.
There was a large screen TV on stage that we turned on ( silently, of course )at 11:55, just to watch the ball drop in Times Square, and after 15 minites of Mummers, Marches and "Fly Eagles Fly" ..... they began to head for the door! I finised about 1/2 hr early, and had rave reviews all night. This could very well be my favorite NYE crowd yet! PLUS - it was less than 1/2 hr drive home. Yeah........ not a bad way to make some serious change. Ca Ching !

Happy New Year folks!

Both My gigs yesterday were excellent, no problems at all.....great dinner last night, I played some nice backgound music, and then 3 1/2 hours of assorted Dance Music with a packed dance floor all night until the Ball Dropped.....In between my break they had a beautiful Belly Dancer work the crowd also! A great topper to a great year of performing.........next year I'll be at a new place thats been waiting to book me on NYE for Two years....should be a blast also.....now its time to watch some football and relax with family & friends....... Oh Yeah!

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 01-01-2005).]

My first gig begining at 4:30pm was for an assisted living nursing home located 2 miles from my house of which I've been playing at for over 5 years. I provided dinner hour background music followed by a short after dinner vocal show & midnight hour (albeit 5 hours early) countdown at 6pm. My second gig (7-9:30m) was less than a 5 minute drive away, at a small upscale idependent living residential community. I gave them a 45 minute NY Eve vocal keyboard show followed by a midnight countdown at 9pm. Both of these gigs required only having to use my Motion Sound Amp so setup/breakdown was quick (less than 10 minutes max). My final gig was at a private party in a huge mansion overlooking the entire SF Bay area. The party was already packed with guests (150+) when I arrived (10pm). My EV SxA100 PA system was already in setup (as I had set it up earlier in the day there) so I was ready to go at 10:30pm, my scheduled performance time. The catered food & champagne flowed, and the host & guests (ages: 25-80) were in great spirits enjoying & dancing/groovin to my music. Everyone was high in spirit, and believe it or not, not a single obnoxious drunk. It's nights like these that I feel extra appreciative for being able to do what I love: bringing joy to people singing & playing. I arrived home at 2pm tired, but content, especially after discovering the GENEROUS tips in the envelopes I received. I've decided to DONATE all my NY Eve 2004 gig tips to the Tsunami relief fund. Happy New Year 2005 to all. - Scott

Well we were forced to cancel our NYE gig...so I spent the night with 3 of my grandkids sleeping over...You have no idea how tiring it can be with Robert, Zach and Lexi[24 hrs.]....Non stop, wrestling, videos, DVD's and TV...Fireworks, snacks, Friendly's and Sports Pizza....We had two countdowns, one at eleven[Zach and Lexi were falling a sleep]...and the real one for Robert, Kathleen and I..

My 240 mile round trip to the Jersey shore gig, would have been a breeze compared to "alone at home"...

My New Years Eve party start it 8:15 PM....till 12:00 and it was in a resort for 55 plus...(my first time playing there), I usually play ballroom music and this time I added some of the latin stuff that is not "standar", like cumbias, boleros(similar to Rhumba), zapateados, etc....almost 50% of the people where latin/mexican second generation, it was great that EVERYBODY dance. It was a FUN nite.

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mdorantes

My day was long, but very enojyable and profitable...

1st up was a hour concert with my quartet at the Ohio Masoninc Retirement Home in Springfield. About 200 people attended and although not much dancing occured, the audience was very enthusiastic. We played mostly 30's & 40's tunes, as well as some polkas.

Next came a 2 hour solo gig at a different retirement community in Kettering, Ohio. Played mostly stuff from the 50's and 60's...LOTS of dancing...very good time...

Lastly came another band gig at a large VFW in the area. They had their annual NYE dinner dance, which we've played for the last 5 years. This place has two large dance floors, and both get filled up. Its always fun to play here because all you can see from the band stand once the floor fills up is heads, lol...

All in all, a great day...my band guys put $600 bucks in their pockets and were pretty happy campers.

Once again, we've had a nice ending to a nice year music wise...

Happy New Year, gang...

Bill in Dayton

Typical night--people pay me to come to a party, PLUS I get to play and sing.
I drove and hour or so to Longview, TX, set up the Tyros and Hank The Lurker's Barbetta Sona 31C powered speakers and entertained all the nice folks at the American Legion.
After Old Lang Syne they brought out a HUGE U.S. flag and we all sang "God Bless The USA".
Then we ate black-eyed peas, greens and ham for good luck. I passed on the cornbread and pastries.
Got stopped by a Texas State Trooper on the way home because I had a headlight out. Good think I don't drink! He gave me a warning ticket.
Happy New Year!
DonM