Never seen so long between posts. I'm getting ready for my first job, although a small one not far from home. It's the first time I've worn real clothes since the surgery. My son is loading my stuff for me.
No more than two hours, with several breaks for speeches and announcements.
Breath for singing is the biggest problem, but nothing I can't get around.
I can do this.

Good luck on the gig Don....just take it easy and have fun,....little by little you'll be good as new...enjoy and let us know how it goes! I'm off to a big dinner dance gig this evening myself, ....give em hell baby!

Don it sure is good to know you are feeling good enough to have at it again.

This is manna for the soul for you.

Bill G

Just got home from a one hour job, and did two hours last night - I'm gettin' old, and damned it ain't near as much fun as it was cracked up to be.

Gary

All the best Don. Ease into it and know your limits.

God Bless,
Don

Go get 'em, Don ... it will be like riding a bike for you ... the cream will rise to the top and no one but you will know the difference - if there even IS any - ...
Just don't OVER do it ...

Go get enm Don. You will make it.

It actually went great. This was a $1,000 per plate fund raiser for the City Marshall. At dinner I sat at the table with the Sheriff, Mayor, Attorney General and a guy who owns an oil company.
I brought home 7 huge steaks, a large bag of jumbo boiled shrimp, 7 baked potatoes and an entire cheesecake.
I also booked three more parties tonight.
They had guys load and unload all my stuff. They even had a guy to plug stuff in so I wouldn't have to bend.
This is why it was so important for me to play this job. I do several each year for them. I have made trips as far as Oklahoma City with them, and am scheduled to do that again this year.
This is a rather elite group of good ol' boys who pretty much determine who gets elected and what gets passed in North Louisiana.

P.S. the two Nanos did great. Nothing but compliments. There were 95 guests and about 30 workers and they covered the room easily. It was about 200 feet by 75 feet, just guessing. I could have handled more people.
The guy built this room just for these functions. It has nice bandstand, complete kitchen, large warehouse and several large freezers for storage. It's all inside a super-secure building that also houses his business. That is a whole nuther story!

I almost forgot. This was my second job with the PA900. There was an interval of a couple months since the last one. I'm far from having it optimized for my needs, but I think that just shows that features, styles, sounds, etc., are not nearly as important as we think they are. I had everything I needed and nobody cared if I cut a few corners!
SHHHHHH!
There are things you realize need addressing when actually playing a job that you don't think of at home. Nothing big though.

Uh ... Don ... about that take-out order ... is that part of your new heart healthy diet ?!? ...

Two messages in a row from our "Chairman of the Board!" That alone is a good sign!

I counted the words again (indicator of Don's recovery).......he's up to 17,407 already in each post! I'd say he's.......just about back in the groove now!

What does Don say?

Mark

Good plan, Don.....hide in plain sight, huh . Hope you didn't leave any fingerprints while you were uh, 'appropriating' that doggie bag .

Seriously, glad to see you feeling well enough to handle a heavy duty gig with no ill effects.

chas

PS: Throw those steaks in the freezer until Boo or I get down there.

Tony, other than the potatoes, that is a healthy diet.

Gary

Way to go Don!

That's a home run in anyone's book. ;-)

Bill G

Two grown "boys" at home. . . that food was mostly gone by midnight!
The job must have taken a lot out of me. I slept nearly 12 hours straight. First time I went to sleep at 10:30 in maybe 50 years!
I listened to the recording of the event, and I must say I'm fairly satisfied. I did run out of breath some, but I think I covered it up so no one much noticed. It's not like they were following every note anyway.
My chest and rib cage are somewhat sore today from the exertion of singing. I didn't expect that, but it's nothing to worry about. Probably did me good.
Tony, the Cardiologist has me on low-carb diet. No potatoes for sure.
Chas, I guess you can say I'm "connected", a very small frog in a very small pond though! When I first went to the hospital, there were two Sheriff Dept. officers that beat the ambulance there.
They had heard it on the radio. At the time everything checked out o.k. though. I went back home and scheduled a stress test. That's when the fun began!
Mark, I think I was just pumped up last night from getting out of the house, so took it out on my friends here! Besides we need something to talk about until the next arranger comes out.

I hope a new arranger keyboard hits the market very soon so that it will jump start the dormant GAK forum!!

It's not dormant by any means, Donny. Just no more pissing contests, but some great informational exchanges and some nice song posts. Things are running smoothly, which is the way it should be, thanks to Nigel.

If a new arranger keyboard hits the market in the next few month, I'm confident that there will be several opinions from folks that have never seen, touched, heard and used the keyboard, but that's nothing unusual. As the old saying goes "Opinions are like a$$holes - everybody has one."

Cheers,

Gary

Thanx Gary I agree big time, ..... now I'm inspired to post a few things as soon as I get a break.

And just like a$$holes, they serve a useful function. I think we must be careful that 'running smoothly' doesn't come at the expense of stifling dissenting opinions and creating an environment where members don't feel free to express themselves honestly for fear of feeling the wrath of the 'ol' boys club'.

I think it's clear that this forum is much more of a 'social media' forum (which gives it it's addictive quality) than a music forum. The upside is that often strong friendships (both 'cyber' and real) are formed. The downside is that this sometimes leads to cliques and alliances within a forum which can take on a tone of exclusivity. Symptoms of this are when 95% of the posts are from 5% of the members. I could go on but I'm sure I've already said too much. Now I could be dead wrong about all of this, but remember, it's just my opinion (and you know what they say about opinions).

Oh, the other thing about a$$holes; everybody NEEDS one. The alternative is a colostomy bag.

chas

Sounds like you miss your buddy Diki,

Now't wrong with Colostomy bags, damn site better than a pine box LOL

Col

Chas, I know there is still a lot of interest here, judging by the number of views that a post gets. However it seems a lot of people are just reading and not posting or contributing much.
I hope this isn't caused by your perception of it being a good ol boy forum, although I must agree there is that element, of which I'm a card-carrying member.
I encourage everyone to ask questions and give opinions!
I will try to restrict myself to arranger topics more, and if my friends want updates on personal things, my email is available in the profile.

... and even with a hole or a bag, some people can still be full of crap ...

Col ... how are you doing? ... I have been wondering where you have been and what you are doing? ... how are the vocal lessons coming along ...

This is GOOD!

Chas has taken an "aside" as I would call it, and made a comment which is his personal opinion about how things work around here.

There is nothing negative about his opinion; just an observation, which I believe to be "spot on".

I appreciate the tongue in cheek" responses so far.

And, back on point, I VERY GLAD my good friend Don is back behind the keys.

I was REALLY WORRIED as multiple things went south.

He's a GREAT GUY, as is Chas. I believe they'd be great friends if they were ever to meet in person.

They're both VERY GOOD FRIENDS of mine.

Be well, all!


Russ

Ian, everyone knows that emoticon is meant to demean and diminish the importance of someone's post. If you're too lazy to put up an actual post, fine, but putting up that emoticon (as you've been doing a lot lately) is just downright juvenile.

Don, obviously Ian doesn't share your view of encouraging people to give opinions, at least ones he deems 'unimportant'.

Obviously, I did NOT request that people restrict themselves to arranger topics (else my own post count would be about 20) and I certainly hope that I did not imply that such things as updates on the health and well-being of one of our members were not important to all of us. I was merely trying to point out that 'running smoothly' sometimes just means not upsetting the status quo. Occasionally, the status quo needs to be upset.

And Donny, yes I do miss Diki. At least you could count on him for an intelligent response to a post.

Any more haters (of free speech)?

chas

I don't think anyone here is a "hater of free speech" ... I think it is the speech that turns sarcastic and argumentative that is disliked (I don't like to use the word 'hate') ...and there IS a difference between a debate and an argument ... JMHO ... and yes, I have an a$$hole too ...

Chas, I suppose it could s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d to be perceived as "juvenile", but in this case, it simply makes far more "adult" sense than you appear to comprehend.

But, you are entitled to your opinion, just as I have the prerogative not to agree with it.

I would also suggest there is a difference between "upsetting the status quo" and "stirring the pot".

Ian

Well that's because I'm so stupid, Ian. I suppose in the future we need to leave it up to your superior intellect to determine what has merit and what to dismiss. Oh God, why wasn't I born into that exalted status. Damn, just can't seem to catch a break.

chas

C'mon guys, give it a break - no one here is all that damned smart, other than DonM and myself. I love opinions based upon fact, but unfortunately, that was not always the case in the past, and may not be in the future. Factual opinions, however, in years past, really helped me a lot in firing up my NH gigs/jobs, and that was the main reason I came here - to learn from others who had some first-hand, factual information that I could utilize in my part of the world. In the process, I made a lot of good friends, many of which I have met in person, and hope to see again in the near future. (At my age, and nasty health condition, I don't have a distant future.) The list is pretty darned long, and personally, I can't thank these fine people enough for contributing to my success in the musical entertainment business. If I had unlimited income, and a small plane like Deane Peters (Hammer), I would be flying around the U.S. and meeting up with more zoners. Unfortunately, I didn't hit Lotto last week, the boat only covers the eastern seaboard's coastal areas, but damned, I'm sure having fun.

Hell, this forum sent me to Nashville.



You guys made it possible for me to buy a sailing yacht.



I get to sing to a play to some really hot ladies.



That more could a guy want?

Thanks guys,

Gary

Actually Chas, I think you are a pretty smart guy, in spite of all your self deprecation and poorly excogitated sarcasm.

I certainly do respect your excellent playing and pretty much all of your posts, which are usually well worded and very interesting.

Maybe instead of tiring your poor self out trying to "catch a break", you might want to "take a break" instead, and enjoy some popcorn (Low salt is good!) and a soft drink.

Works for me...

Ian

At least we stirred up a pot of something.
I think everybody means well and I haven't taken any of it to mean otherwise.
Now chill and say nice stuff!
Let's see DNJ doesn't sweat a lot for a fat guy.
Occasionally even the Yankees on here make sense.
As far as Boo, as we say in the South, Bless His Heart.
Russ and Chas do make a cute couple.
I'm on a roll now, how about some drums icons Ian?

Gary, at 6.25/gal. for Avgas, 2-5k/yr for annual inspection(assuming nothing is wrong ), 1k/yr for recurrent training, 4-500/mo. for hanger rental; I'm not sure you want a small plane. A plane is about the destination, a boat (sailing vessel) is about the JOURNEY. Besides, most small planes won't fit a keyboard and two speakers. Trust me, stick with the boat. A boat is like a wife, a plane is like an expensive mistress. Ask Deanne, he'll confirm this.

chas

Yeah, I know you're right. I flew a Cessna 272 for a while, no storage at all for anything larger than a small duffel bag. I'll stick with the sailing yacht. Beside, it's paid for and at most I burn a half-gallon of gas an hour while motoring, which isn't all that often.

I wanted to thrown a Synthzone Jam in Marathon Key, Florida last winter, but could find anyone interested in spending a coule days in the sunny south last winter. Maybe next year.

Think about jamming in a 50 X 50 Tiki Hut in a tropical paradise.




Cheers,

Gary

I agree Donny. If you guys were not my friends I wouldn't pick on any of you!

Actually, not that smart. I had to look up 'excogitate'.

chas

If you saw us in person, you'd take that statement back in a second . Besides, Russ isn't my type, I think it's the cap.

chas

Chas......you're NOT "dead wrong." And I wish you would stop making great statements like you often do that tell it like it is and then kind of apologize for "going out on a limb" with those same remarks.

I noticed a long time ago that this is more of a social meeting hall (kind of like a saloon in the Old West or your local Elks Club...minus the alcohol). I've also been in touch privately with 3-4 other members and they expressed the same view.

Now that's not to say there's anything wrong with that, but there's also nothing wrong with calling a "spade a spade."

And, to be fair, I read the posts every day because I really think the members here are just plain "nice guys"...and interesting.......and funny too, verrrrry funny!

But, I've said it before and I'll say it again. I wish there was more "music" talk in here instead of the (sometimes) "chest-pounding" and the (oftentimes) splitting hairs with mindless, endless debates over something like "which keyboard is better!"

In another group I'm in (with 500 members), I posted a "substitute chord progression" someone did in the song Opus One that I thought was brilliant and that it might serve as a platform to discuss some creative ideas amongst the group. What I got in return was.....dead silence. The room collapsed as it always does when I bring up remarks that might help someone to advance in musical skills.

Does anyone have any ideas on why that is? That in a "music group" such as this, no one actually talks about "making music?"

As for the Diki remark you made to Donny ("And Donny, yes I do miss Diki. At least you could count on him for an intelligent response to a post.").....

I, Mark, say dealing with Diki is like owning a Maserati.....a magnificent machine to have in your stables, but you pay a heck of a price for "having it in your stables!"

Still.....the man IS informative, dedicated, and focused on music. I DO like that about Diki!

Mark

Hi Tony and the rest of you lot

Still alive and kicking. The new lady in my life (Singing teacher) soon made me realise how little I knew about singing, having said that, one month in and I already feel I'm improving. I'll post some result's soon, a threat or a promise, not sure which.

Thank you Donny, I'm now singing over SMF/backing track's.

Thank you Mark, for suggesting the singing lessons.

Thank you Tony, for remembering me LOL

I've just done a couple of small gig's using my tablet, a Voicelive Touch and two speakers. Left the G70 at home.

A tip for using an Android tablet for playing MP3/Wave files (Backing track's) with linked (scrolling) text files to display the lyrics.

An app called "Lyric Writer Pro", £1.26 in real money, allows you to load as many songs as you like, set up play lists etc.
You can even alter the size of the text display for the semi blind, delay the scrolling start to allow for the intro. It really is a great little piece of software.

The output from the Tablet into the aux input on the VLT to trigger the harmony, output from the VLT into the active speakers, no mixer. The tablet and VLT mounted on one mic stand, oh and I bought a TC Helicon MP-75 mic with a button to switch the harmony in and out without using a footswitch etc. job done, works a treat.

All the best

Col

Quick pic of the compact rig

Col

Pretty impressive setup. Looks very efficient.

God bless,
Don

This is why I come to the this forum every day - this kind of information makes this one of the best music forums on the Internet. And, you can bet your a$$ that the person who is no longer here would have something negative, degrading and malicious to say about it. Do I miss him - HELL NO!

Gary

Hi Guy's

Quick point regarding the MP-75 mic from TC-Helicon. It is very directional, super cardioid pattern, now I can work in front of my speakers (12" behringer active's) with no feedback at all. It just takes a little getting used to, if you move sideways away from the mic the reduction in volume is very noticeable other than that it works very well with the VLT. Used as a hand mic the ability to switch the harmony on and off via the button on the mic is brilliant.

I have found already that the type of people I play for are only interested in the vocals, they don't care whether you play an instrument or not, so the G70 is now staying put at home for my amusement and to prepare the backing tracks.

If that sounds like a Karaoke show so be it LOL

Regards

Col

Don't see the point of trying to demonize someone who is not here to defend themselves nor do I understand how you can so positively predict what someone else will do or say. One thing I DO understand though, is that, as one of the grand poobahs of this forum, you feel entitled to do this with total impunity. I don't recall Diki ever badmouthing YOU personally; gear maybe, but rarely if ever engaging in PERSONAL attacks. Even his gear attacts were directed mostly at the manufatuers, not the owners. Of course no one will speak up because here, personalities count far more than facts.

I'm not trying to stir any pots here, but I find it annoying that certain people can say anything they want against someone, as long as that 'someone' is already unpopular for deviating from 'club policy' or expressing a divergent point of view. BUT...if the 'unpopular' person says practically anything, those words are dissected, twisted, distorted, and spun as negative, argumentative, or sarcastic. To paraphrase one of our members here, it's not what is said but who is saying it.

chas

watch out that Green Margairta doesn't spill on the keys

Hell, I'd give that big hunk a hug in a minute, but I can't reach that high. It's a "Mutt and Jeff" kind of deal (LOL)!


Russ (the short, fat one) Lay

Actually I do chas. Many times he made his "indirect slams" about any posts related to Gary's boating. In the end I was done with those "indirect attacks" which he said he was never gonna stop. That was when I banned him permanently.

While this is a forum for arranger keyboards it is also a social meeting place for arranger users where casual discussion IS allowed. I have a problem with forum members that have a problem with that. If they have a problem with me allowing that ... well that's too bad.

Nigel, Chas thanks for clarifying this. Man I thought Gary was talking about me. I mean I'm really down on playing 4 chords for 30 years and never learning the fifth one on even letting it cross one's mind to improve slightly. Whew, man that's shallow. Oops I'm sorry, I'd better watch my self. Apologies Friends.
Cavanaugh, get your butt in here and help me out eh?

FOUR??? Hank Williams said there were only three and I believed him all these years. Thanks for your enlightenment Boo.
How many music jobs you up to in the last five years or so, half a dozen? In other words, ALL the Jazz jobs in Colorado! Hold on to that Jazz though, it's the coming thing.

I love ya Boo, you're a musical snob and you are true to your ideals. I'm more of a whore but it's a lot of fun!

By the way, I went to my follow up appointment with my Surgeon today and he said I could start doing just about anything I feel like, including playing music. I asked him if I could play Jazz and he said sure. I said "do I have to?"

Don, Thanks for giving me something to chuckle to at this time. I need a distraction friend.

Don ... that is really great news !!! ... but continue to go slow ...
BTW ... it would be great if you and Susan could make the 'jam' at Gary's ...

oops lol