The recent one man band posts got me thinking. Man, musically, I've been "all over the place". I'm still working on 9 weeks off total in 58 years.

I've played live, everything from big band to rock, to easy listening ,to folk, to classical to country...lots of jazz, whenever possible.

Venues: lots of studio, TV, tours, restaurants, lounges, arenas: even a rodeo (UCK) once, plus parades, car shows, a strip club or two...the list goes on. And on. And On.

I've worked as a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, pianist, lots of B-3; sadly, not nearly enough on vibes; way too much on tenor banjo and mandolin. Been a band member, a band leader, a single on keys and strings. Worked as a duo, lots of trio on up.

This week, I'll do 30 hours in the studio on an annual report for a national restaurant chain, a jazz job on B-3, 5 sessions in a dining room as a solo on piano and a patio job on just nylon string instrumentals.

Point is, I keep working, not because I'm a good entertainer
(I'm NOT)or a great player (again....NOT).

What I'm also not is ONE TRICK PONY. I'll play anything, anywhere if the people are committed and descent. I NEVER ask what the job pays before hand, if asked by a band. Club owners/agents...that's a different story.

Being an OMB is GREAT. For me, at least, keeping my options (and mind) open and getting at least competent with styles and familiar with tunes has paid off.

Flexibility....changing formats is FUN and satisfying.

Arrangers are GREAT, but, as UD says, "I'm a musician who plays an arranger", not an arranger musician.

TRY IT....you'll LIKE IT!


Russ

(Actually, I only know a limited number of tunes on each instrument, thus the variety (LOL)!

I feel the same way, Russ...I would not want to become a "one trick pony".

I've always kept my playing options open, and my other keyboard skills relatively intact...even when retired.

Ian

Geeze, I've never been asked to play a strip club.

Gary

I have.

Did a few back in the day. Memorable moment: one girl shimmied a bit too close to our guitarist and a nipple got caught between two of his strings. Poor lass had to go off injured.:)

Wow! So her dance routine was nearly pointless...

Great post.

I think there's been a slight plot twist.

Whatever, guys! Any discussion of the mechanics of playing music, which, for many includes discussions of instruments, tunes and "T*****S, which are an integral part of the business, is fun for me.

My "B***Y" story involved a slightly incapacitated trip by the band to Tijuana from LA to get a certificate of incarceration from the Tijuana jail (it was the end of the folk era, and the certificates were $5.00).

We went to a local bar (imagine that) and, before we new it, were on the bandstand. A local dancer was just off the bandstand, bending backward with her, ah "equipment" pointed at me. I staggered over and tried to remove her pasties, which were glued on with what must have been the first version of "Gorilla Glue".

Outraged, she attacked the bandstand and we headed for the door. A "pocket knife" sex change operation just wasn't that appealing.

Can't believe we survived those days!


Russ

^LOL!