Again I'll be in the trenches making people Happy Happy both days, it's like the Superbowl for gigging musicians..

You are Donny, I would have never guessed it, seems like it was only this time last year you post the same question, I don't know how you do it for the money.

So Tony I take that as a NO from you correct?

Regular dining room gig at the country club; then a large party at a Shriners club.

After hours, it's a breakfast buffet/jam session usually attended by most musicians in the area.

Monday, I'm in Louisville all day finishing the sound track for the annual report for a national restaurant (international, in fact). About 20 straight hours, with 10 minute breaks. Project is shown the evening of the first internationally.

Then, SLEEP for most of Thursday.

Man, music has been good to me.


R.

Me!

Puts you to sleep Russ it must be good

I'm rockin' a QUAD myself,....
Three 1 hr NH gigs starting at 11am thruout the afternoon different facilities,....then the big NYE Dinner & Dance
830pm-1230am approx 400pp same location as last year.

I have a city gig in West Covina. 9:30 to 11:30 am then I am the headliner at the Mission inn In Riverside 9 to 1. Busy day I turned down a 3 pm gig to much to do at the mission inn Ron

Thats kool Ron that is a beautiful place....

http://www.missioninn.com/

I guess I'll be off for the first New Year's Eve in maybe 40 years! I had a job in Oklahoma but decided to cancel it for several reasons.
It was so late in the season that nothing else came up. I didn't actively look for anything else, so I suppose I don't really mind.

This is the second year in a row that I'm taking a break from "Amateur night" - I just can't get excited about it anymore ... too many weirdos, too many drunks, too late, too ...... well, just TOO.
I had a great run for 40 years, and made a killing on most of them, so the way I figure it ... if I stay off for the next 8 years, I'll still be the highest paid NYE guy I know.
I seriously don't miss it at all. I may not even stay up ... probably visit my daughter in Philly.

Keep those trenches pumped up, boyze - I'm passing the baton to y'all!

Time for lunch ... where ARE those guys?????

I Hope something new comes out so you can get excited again we need you in the trenches your TOO Young for taking a back seat, share the gift buddy always!.....

A Single late afternoon then long drive to do a dinner dance with a trio. Happy New Year everyone!
Ciao,
Jerry

Jerry...

Felice Anno Nuovo a tutti

I share the gift DAILY with my kiddies! I'm training them to take over for us old farts when the nursing homes go out of business.

Huh? When's that? What's going to take their place, Soylent Green factories?

chas

NH's are big business on the RISE.........the more the merrier!

Exactly WHAT is the problem with people talking about where they are gigging on 'special' occasions?!? ... I for ONE, find it interesting, and I would think that if others didn't they wouldn't respond ...
You see the subject of the thread - don't open it if you don't like it ...

I agree Tony just ignore it I do,......
I guess Diki isn't playing anywhere NYE but I could be wrong...?
For me it's the best night of the year to gig.....
I will have fun. Happy New Year!

I used to LOVE gigging NYE with the band ... 25 out of 26 years, only missed the year I was on active duty ...
Now I prefer to either have a house party or get a group together and go out someplace fairly local ...
This year we will be dining and then partying at a place in town that has booked a great band ... should be a lot of fun ...

It is usually one of the most lucrative nights of the year for musicians, but this will be my second year in a row to bring it in with the other residents here in my apartment complex.

Just a gathering in the main lounge to watch the outdoor show from Halifax on TV, which usually features a great band.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all here...you guys are awesome!

Ian

Thank you Nigel.....
Happy New Year to you & your family enjoy!

Took a gig I thought would be interesting. Benefit for a local Horse Farm that helps people who are having financial trouble keeping their horses. Money is not what I've made in past years but pretty good and I figured its that or nothing. And its close to home. There is no place here in Cape May, except for one, that has a keyboard player tonight and there's no way their ever replacing this guy, he has big credentials. I was hoping for a nice house party where I could play some keyboard.
The other day I met with the girl who hired me and she gave me a list of requested songs. I won't go into it but I'm not bothering to even bring the keyboard and will be DJ-ing a bunch of stuff I normally would never do. I'm not looking forward to it.
I've only missed about 3 NYE's in the last 40 or so but next year I'm going to be real picky if I take anything at all.
BTW the panic people have about drunk drivers and road blocks I think is way overblown. Things have changed. Most people run for the door right after midnight. Where I used to live in North Jersey coming home after gigs I've never seen any roadblocks or even patrol cars. Very quiet. The diners are all packed though.

I'll be playing two house parties. One on NYE, and one on new years day. Both are in very nice gardens in Cuernavaca Mexico. Great weather down here. Should be fun.

Las mananitas, Hotel-Restaurant in Cuernavaca

Beautiful surroundings, Andrea. I love doing outdoor jobs at locations such as those in the photo. The only problem I ever encounter is, obviously, unanticipated weather changes, rain, snow, etc..., flying insects attracted to the keyboard and console lights when the sun goes down, and high humidity, which can soak all the gear in just a short time. I actually covered my arranger with Saran Wrap and played it one night in a tiki bar in the Florida Keys because the humidity was so high that the table tops appeared to have been rained upon and not dried. It was an amazing night, though. Very hot, very humid and the crowd eventually all jumped into the swimming pool about 50 feet from where I was playing. Sure miss that part of the world right now. The temperature here today is 26 degrees f.

Gary

Today, I have a NYE party at a local retirement community Brightview Avondel where I've been performing monthly since the place opened 4 years ago. The job is from 2 till 4 p.m., which suits everyone just fine.

My big job tonight was cancelled about three weeks ago, the organization said they just couldn't sell enough tickets to make it work. Big loss, financially, for me, but I called some friends, invited them over and for the first time in 15 hears I get to stay at home with my wife and a few friends. I'm kinda looking forward to it.

I have a double New Years Day, and the jobs are just an hour apart, but fortunately, the venues are just 15 minutes apart, which give me ample time to tear down and set up at the second location.

Cheers,

Gary

"Meee?
Where will I gig New Year's Eve??
Oh well... let's see...
I had an offer from Vegas (...the Mirage, I think...)
then another from New York (had something to do with a garden with a strange shape... square, I think...)
And then of course I got the usual calls from Paris, London... you know... every year it's the same...

...But in the end I think that I'll just stay at home
and read a good book...




Besides...






I HATE PEOPLE!!!

funny

1 done 3 to go............yeah!

Love it!
Looks as if I'll be watching my grandson the rest of the day. We will probably play golf.
My Expedition is in the shop. Got hit by lightening. Yesterday my son Max fell asleep driving home after two days of 16 hour shifts and hit a curb so he is using my truck today. Only thing left is the boat and golf cart, and it won't tow the boat.
Thank God it's just "stuff".

Don ... wishing you and your family a much better start and finish to 2014 ...glad everyone is OK ...
'Stuff' can be repaired or replaced ...


Andrea ... that was funny - thank you ...

Donny, who's gigging? Is this a joke? Whoever is gigging with all of those "BOWL" games on I must admit that I feel sorry for them?
Ha ha Donny, I couldn't pass this opportunity up man. You know me!

Donny if the Saints win, it's because they are a better team. Geaux Saints.

On the other hand, if the Eagles win, it will because of the Wind, Freezing Rain, Sleet, Snow, 20 degrees. One are all of the above can beat the Saints. I wish they'd tear the "Superdome" down.

If a "Dome" team isn't playing at home in the playoffs, it's a tough row to hoe. Minnesota and Seattle did right tearing down their domes. The Saints have not won any away from home playoff games. However, there is a first time for anything to happen.

EAGLES all the way!

You are going to blow a gasket young man, do you ever stop for breath

2 done 2 to go....Love it baby! this is How We Do!!

You sound like a "rapper"..

used the T5 for first time LOVE IT FOR LIVE much better then T4 VERY excited for the future with this gem of a Keyboard

just did a senior center 400 + all dancing at 9:30 am crazy next one tonight 9-1 am Big Gig at The Mission inn Riverside Festival of Lights headling Tonight Happy New Year to all.

Knock em dead Donny.

Ron, that's great to hear on the T5, still in the queue waiting for mine, but at least it's getting closer to home now.

I had one yesterday, a nice party this afternoon, a nice dinner dance tomorrow night, New Years Day, and another party at an upscale facility on Saturday. All in all, a very profitable New Years. Plus, I don't have to deal with amateur night. Life is good. Happy New Year to all you guys!

Joe

Wonder what you guys do if your KB won't boot on a big gig, do you take a spares or do you become a stand up comedian, it must happen sometimes.

Hi Guys, it's my Golden wedding anniversary today, any advice on where should I be playing !!!!!!!!!!!
No!! I gave up golf for the day if that's what you're thinking.

Ray

Fun gig last night Happy New Year Everyone.......
1 more to go today the I'll have a few days off & head it down to the Casinos in AC !

Rocked them real hard last night full house at the Mission inn I feel like a truck ran me over got to suck it up got a 6-10 there tonight over all a great night .

Ray ... congratulations and welcome to our world - 50 years this past November ...
Perhaps it is your WIFE who should bear the name "Saint" ?!? ...

any pictures Ron?