Here's none other than our very own Synthzone Member Joe Ayala (aka: Songman55)
delivering an impressive show with his Yamaha arranger keyboard and winning vocal style
for the residents at the Franklin Woods Nursing Home Center in Maryland.
Joe, Nice job !

Thanks Scott!!

Nice performance Joe, and your interaction with the audience is a plus. Hazel sounds like a character...always need one of them.
Larry

nice work

This is a rude awakening. However, it doesn't surprise me. I didn't post this link here because I sort of knew it would be met with indifference. Scott was nice enough to post the link and I appreciate that. I've often wondered over the years why people left the zone, and now I know. This is not really a place for real entertainers. Gear heads get a fair hearing here but people who can command an audience with just a keyboard and a PA are a foreign concept here. I've been a member here since 2005 but quite frankly, I got more attention the last time I took a crap. So as they say, it's been fun, but I've gotta run.

Joe

Joe I totally understand stay in touch ..good luck

Great Job Joe....Thanks for putting yourself "Out there"

I loved it!!!

I'm confused

Hi Joe,
Though I understand your frustration as I've at times felt similar when I've posted my music in the past too, I think your reaction may be premature as this thread was only initiated within the last 24 hours. Please give enough ample time for people to find time to watch your videos.

That said, even though some members may not find time to reply, many of them I,m certain appreciate your music. Unfortunately, there remain a few other otherwise regularly active members who, noticeable by their absence, rarely if ever reply, yet seemingly expect others to reply to "their" music, possibly because they're simply jeaulous and/or resentful when the limelight isn't currently on "them" instead. This place can often be an eye opening psyhology study in real world competitive social interaction and for better or worse, merely a reflection of the real world. That said, I hope you'll reconsider and not leave this forum because I, and many others here as well, appreciate your knowlege, friendship, and music too. Your departure would be a big loss.
Btw: watching your YouTube gig performance clips really warmed my heart. You've definitely got the gift of bringing joy to others through your music.

Me too.

I was busy doing clinics the past two days, and didn't get much of a chance to listen, let alone reply.

I also haven't had time to listen to the other upload, "The Flood".

Was there a post removed in this thread, that I missed?

Ian

Well, that's the last time I'll spend my precious time and go through the trouble of listening to someone perform and then give a positive critique....sheez Such a Diva!! LOL

p.s. (What is the male equivalent of a Diva? A Divo?)

Joe ... Although I had seen your performance through another means, I apologize for not commenting ...
Your performance is very relaxed, yet professional ... if there is any 'constructive advice' - I don't like the word "criticism" - I thought the harmony was a little overused in "On The Road Again" ... but that's MY opinion ... you certainly don't NEED it ...

I do think your "trigger finger" reaction was certainly surprising to say the least, and perhaps a bit hasty...
there have been MANY performances posted here with little to no response - that doesn't make it right, necessarily, but that's life ... how many times during your live performances have people passed by without any acknowledgement? ...
I also would be surprised if on at least ONE occasion you have listened to or watched a performance without comment ...

I look forward to hearing/seeing more of your performances ...

Congratulations Joe, you are indeed a great entertainer musician and that Willie Nelson tune called “On the road again” is one of my favorite country hits. Keep up your great work my musician friend and happy playing.Telmo.

Joe...
I also am guilty of not expressing my appreciation of professional performances. I enjoyed both clips and admired your command of the keyboard, your singing and relaxed personna in front of the audience. Nice job.

Dale Carnegie once said: Don't expect gratitude and you will never be disappointed.

Eddie

Joe-

I watched your video within the last hour. It was pretty good. One of the better clips I've seen/heard in a while. That said, to be frank, it didn't blow me away. Who cares? Your audience likes you, your clients like you and I presume you're having fun so SCREW EVERYTHING ELSE and just do your thing.

As great as this forum can be for some things, meaningful critiques of people's work is, in my opinion, not a real strength. I've heard samples of stuff from some of the "sacred cows" on the forum which was terrible and the response was disappointing. Some raved about the performance nonetheless, others just ignored it. I thought about posting some respectful remarks about why I didn't like the various pieces, but truthfully, I have no appetite for the sh*tstorm that would've ensued. Its not worth it. If somebody really cares what I think, they usually contact me off site and we have a private discussion about the performance or issues they have. I've had several of those through the years with SZ members, and they're pretty enjoyable for both parties.

Its not anyone's fault. People here are trying in most instances to be polite and there's a feeling that bluntness can equal rudeness.

My take is your business is going pretty well. Do what you think is right, keep the residents happy and enjoy yourself. Trying to hit the sweet spot on a forum like this is next to impossible. I understand you didn't post it, but your frustration in the response is misguided. There's only a handful of players who do this professionally, most are playing for their own personal enjoyment, which is a whole different animal.

Just trying to give you some adult feedback and observations, Joe. Have fun, man...

Beautifully put, Bill. Unfortunately, most folks here can't handle the truth, which is why there is so little honest (truthful) critiquing going on here. Obviously, many here value 'niceness' over honesty, and maybe that's a good thing; however, it renders most critiques completely valueless. This is especially true when it's 'best buds' critiquing 'best buds'. It also explains why most musical postings here are YouTube postings of total strangers that most of us could care less about (what's up with that?).

Let's face it, only 2 or 3 people on this entire board really play at a high level. Most nursing home players would have a difficult time making it in any other venue and many of the rest would have a difficult time working ANY kind of a gig without the help of SMF's, backing tracks, song-specific registrations on arranger keyboards, three finger chords, and a transpose button.

If you're 55 or over, check out where you're currently playing. You should then be able to critique yourself. Cheers everyone.

BTW, I won't be rebutting your rebuttals, but I promise to read them all.

chas

I was going to leave well enough alone but I have to take this one on. I am a classically trained pianist who has played concert tours in this country as well as Enland, Cuba, and Mexico. I have piano albums out there which you can check out. I have a long career playing in bands as well. I have been ou tour with the Platters as well as the Flamingoes and I did a short stint with Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders at the Barn in Miami. I have played the nursing home circuit the past several years for the following reasons. First of all, it is the most gratifying work I have ever done. I love the old people. Secondly, it gives me a normal life. I don't have to work every night of the week for the first time in my life. I'm 61 years old and I love what I do. Shame on you guys who put down the nursing home circuit. You have no idea of some of the great musical things that are happining out there with people like Gary Diamond, Donny Pesce, and yes, Bill Corfield and myself. I'm sorry this whole thing got started but for the time being, as Bill said, he wasn't blown away, but I was. I was blown away from this forum. I have several friends here and I will continue to communicate with you. As for the rest, have a nice life.

Joe

I have heard Joe perform in person. He is the BEST!
Love ya, Joe.
DonM

Woah chill dudes! Can't we all get along?

Joe your performance was most enjoyable - it is easy to see why the audience loves you! As a pianist myself I can see by your relaxed nature, and hear by the finesse in your playing that you are a very proficient musician. Keep up the good work!

Personally I don't think there is anything wrong with playing in nursing homes, retirement homes, barn dances, strip clubs or any other venues for that matter. A gig is a gig nonetheless.
If you get paid to do what you do - then you are good enough to do it.

I was wondering what style you used for the Willie Nelson tune? I've been searching for such a style on my Tyros3 - but there are so many styles so I get confused..

Again loved your performance, and keep up the good work - and post some more vids - I would love to watch more.

DocZ

Sorry Joe. Actually, I know you can play. That doesn't mean that what Bill and I said isn't essentially true. It's just that of all the things I've seen on Synthzone, this is the first time I've seen anyone get upset because they didn't think enough people rallied around to tell them how great they were. You have to admit, that IS a little bit 'Diva'-like.

chas

Joe when I met you in Dallas & when we were both in Louisiana with Don M at the jam a few years ago I heard what a master can do on a keyboard hearing you play and jamming beside two of my favorites You & Don M, and some others, an experience I hope to do again in the future and one I will NEVER forget!... Don't let some of these forum posters bother you they ain't worth it,...
and they eventually show their true colors.

We'll talk l8tr.

take care

Ok some explanation is necessary. First of all, thanks to Donny and Don Mason for their support. Both are real gentlemen and sincere friends of mine. I never expected all this to happen. I'm not auditioning for anything. What I used for the recording was the Tyros 1 board with the mic running through it. Nothing else. The vh on On the Road Again was the one in the Tyros. It was running through the Bose Compact. The camera was not even a dedicated video camera. It was a Sony Cybershot camera that had video capabilities. I put it on a tripod and pressed the record button. There was no seperate audio. What you hear is what the camera picked up. I'm doing this because I thought that one day my kids and grandkids might want to hear what I sounded like. Thats all. Truth be told I could retire tomorrow. I happen to like what I do so I'm still working. That's it.

Joe

Retire? What's THAT?????

You gonna retire so you have time to play music?
DonM

Joe-The only thing you might offer an explanation to is what ticked you off in such a short time. No one hammered your work whatsoever but it was less than a day that went by before you said you were done. I thought it was a bit of short fuse, myself.

I wasn't stroking you on the NH stuff...it doesn't matter what anyone else says or doesn't say. 99% of all the musicians out there and a big percentage on this forum don't get what we do. They think NH's are the place where old, washed up kb players go to die, I guess. Some get it, many don't.

Do your thing, man...balls out...

These are the best gigs we'll ever play...to me, nothing comes close.

Wow Chas,

Well there you go and you got your answer off Donny.
I go to a local KB club and we all set up and play to each other and hell there is some crap players, but they get a clap or two, bit like a seal wanting a fish! Joe video is good and look Mr. T comes in and adds his support for Joe, we are all at different levels and if some gets some flack for giving flack to others in the past then they should take it on the chin like a man!

Thanks Chas


Anyway Joe great have you any more snipppets

Well done Chas.

Joe,

Your first move was to thank Scott for the video uploads, then blast others for not responding...all within minutes after the original post by Scott.

Not only did you not give it enough time, you never thanked the two posters, including me, who gave nice comments before your 'rude awakening' post.

Now three days later, and still no thank you, only complaints.

Joe, I'm the same age as you, and at times I exhibit poor judgment, make statements that I later regret, and I show less patience the older I get. Your post has reminded me that I also need to work on these aspects of life.

Chill out Joe...life is short.

Joe did anyone see that, and what do you mean, you gotta run, for another one!!!

And Larry is right Joe, some thanks would be in order!

Have a nice one Joe

Regards Tony

Thanks Joe, sounds good to me, and I understand the short fuse thing. For me the fuse becomes more shorter, the older I get.



Anyway, I'm glad we can all move on, and keep on making all kinds of music for all kinds of people.

Larry




ps Chas...well stated views on Nursing Homes & Arrangers, both have important roles in life

Dennis,

I agree I play with some old Gits who think they sound like Reginald Dixon, what the hell, we are all deaf in both ears.

Tony

Tony it's sux having to talk to a blank profile...man up dude and lets see that pretty mug!

Donny,

Hells bells Donny even Mr.T could not beat that, your mug shot on the front cover of the KEYBOARD magazine, your an expert with Photoshop 7 cut and paste too, your talents are endless like the photo collection. If I send you a photo of me, can you add some hair onto my bald patches with Photoshop 7 and then we can circulate it.
As Clint Eastwood once said "a man needs to know is limitaions".


Tony

Thanks Donny, I think Chas is a real nice chap like you, you make it sound like it was some short of achievement I did mate up with Chas that’s no big deal for him and me. I thought that front cover was a fix, I would have got the guy who did it to put you some hair on at the same time, why didn’t he do that. Just a bit not a lot, take the shine off it, I know why, nobody would recognize you would they!

As you well know Tony as we age we lose our hair some even earlier...no big deal for me, unlike others I am happy & comfortable with my adulthood.... I enjoy my life no matter what every day, I am truly blessed... it's like a fine wine..gets better with age.

Hey, at our age, it's best not to waste any hormones to grow hair.

I sent my friend, who is also hair-challenged, a nice comb...he said he'd never part with it.

Ian

That's EXACTLY what I did ... !!!

"Ditto"

Joe, I loved your performance! I wish I could be your roadie for awile so I could pick up some pointers (especially with connecting with the audience)

I understand your frustration with the slow responses. I don't get why people can't say at the very least "thanks for posting"

Oh well, I guess people would rather bicker about Korg,Ketron and Yamaha than discuss music.

NH AD's around here won't even hire acts that "DON'T SING" or play some kind of instrument they say it's boring for the residents and refuse to just pay someone to just walk in and use the facilities piano, etc, no singing and showing their back to the people ....easy way out karaoke acts don't fly at all also...
They also really like "ROAMERS" as one of my friends does, he plays guitar & sings & has all his gear on a rolling cart (battery amp)...then he travels all thru the facility trying to stop in each room playing songs for the residents who cant make it it to the recreation rooms to see the shows. This has been very successful and very unique he works constantly all over AD's love this. NH gigs are about 30% of my gig schedule, but when I'm there I go full bore to give them a great show and make sure they all enjoy themselves to the max!

Funny, this morning I was thinking about how to make some kind of rig like that for a keyboard act. Maybe one of those Roland BA amps and some sort of battery powered keyboard on a cart. Anyone seen something like that?

That would work.....and your portable "Roamer" cash register will make you mucho $$$ for sure!! Also remember every room has an AC outlet if you choose to go wired also.
The main idea is transportability room by room. The BA amp is perfect for a sound source.

... get an ACCORDION!!!