To reply to Donny and Gary without getting lost in a long thread of Arranger lessons, yes I'm leaving NJ at the end of August.
Its been in the works for a long time and we're finally free to do it. Leaving Cape May is very tough, especially this time of year but the other 6 months are not so good here. Along with getting a full size house again, taxes, etc. (and don't even get me started on the gov. !!! ) we're thinking its the right move for us. In April on a spur of the moment trip we bought a fantastic home in BLuffton SC which is inland from Hilton Head. Large Frog 15 X 15 ( finished room over garage) for my studio so I'm excited to get out of the small garage room I have here. Its in a bueatiful community and one of the ones that were top of our list from our other trips down there.
Musically I don't know. Its been a rough road here in Cape May. Lost my contacts from North Jersey when we moved here full time into our vacation home 4 years ago. New guy on the block and being older all work against you here. The things I've done have gone well including a great party last night, and today a 3X repeat gig at a pool bar tells me I can still do it on a high level so I'm not quitting yet.
I have a friend who played sax with me in North Jersey and he's been down in Bluffton for about 10 years. He's hooked me up with two bands needing keyboard players. Seems guys who can actually play keys are in short supply down there-we'll see. I'd still like to do my solo thing or maybe a small trio of my own but again I'm just going to take it as it comes. Don't know about the AL/NH scene yet. Maybe good or maybe they don't pay like here, I'll check it out.
Been there done that so a change is good. I have date books going back as far as 1974 when I started keeping records and I hate to throw them out. I was debating getting rid of them but had a good time the other day looking back at all the places I played. Damn, did I really do all that?
So all in all I've had a good run so far and maybe its not over yet.

Good luck bill in SC I hope it works out for you. keep us posted.

You kidding me? NJ to SC! How could it not be good?!
You'll get to be a South East Conference football fan now too! Say hello to Steve Spurrier for me!

GO EAGLES!!!

Bill where do you play near Cape May? I'll be heading to Wildwood for a week pretty soon, maybe I'll stop in to see you off! -Ted

Bill, I was there last winter on my way to Florida, visiting a friend - great town and I know you will do very well there.

All the best,

Gary

If you happen to pass through/near Raleigh NC on your drive down to SC, let me know and stop by - would be great to meet another arranger player ...
Jim
jimlaing@me.com

Bill ... wishing you the very best in your new adventure of life ...

Thanks guys for the good wishes. I appreciate it.
I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I may have only one more gig in Cape May if the schedule works out and may have one more back up in North Jersey if the $$ right. I'm guessing these may be my last gigs for a while till I get settled in SC.
Had a nice talk with Mark today and maybe I'll have another friend down there. He was concerned I was making a rash move but after I explained we've been looking for a good 12 years he got interested in Bluffton too.
And I already called Direct TV for my hookups because I have to have the NFL package.
GO GIANTS !!!! Saw a golf cart there all done up in Giants logos. Really cool and for $600 they will do any team you want. Except Eagles or Cowboys Only kidding Donny. Talked to nice couple there on my last vist and they're Giant fans too. Said they like to go out to a Sports Bar on Sunday to catch the game. They said they have all the games on multiple TVS but the team with the biggest crowd gets the sound, and its always the Giants. Bluffton is all damn Yankee transplants !!

Hmmm ... sounds like a place I would have to look into if we ever decided to move South ...

ain't far enough south for me - gets cold down there in the winter. I was in Myrtle Beach one January and it was only 17 degrees. Anything temperature lower than my age is the dead of winter as far as I'm concerned. That reminds me, I have to tune up the snow blower so the kids can clear the driveway while I'm in the Florida Keys. OH YEAH!

Gary

Gary
Well Bluffton is near the Georgia State line so its pretty far South. I don't think I'm old enough (65) for God's Waiting Room AKA Florida and I don't drive a Lincoln Town Car with the left blinker permanently on so I don't think I could get in to Fla.

Really though even in the worst of last winter when Myrtle Beach was getting an ice storm Bluffton was in the 40's. Its just 1.5 hr difference away but it seems to have better weather. We wanted a change of seasons place, Fall is my favorite, and milder Winters. Fall and Spring are the big Golf and Tennis seasons there on Hilton Head. We're not in an age restricted community either as we like having all ages around. Keeps you young.

We'll see about the music scene. Probably a lot like you described it.

This is for HHI only, which we visit about 4x/yr. I would describe the live music scene there as 'bleak'...but why not try to get in touch with Jim Eshellman (sp); I think he used to live there full time.

chas

Jim had lots of jobs there, Chas. I think he moved to the Atlanta region, but cannot recall exactly where. There are scores of neat marinas, restaurants, etc, all that have music on a nightly basis. The very first night I was there I could have picked up a job at an Italian restaurant in a shopping center (the guy they booked didn't show up).

Just a couple doors down from the Italian restaurant was a very popular seafood restaurant that had a combo playing that night - they were OK at best, and I'm confident I could have easily booked that place as well. However, I was on my way to the sunshine state and didn't have time to explore the opportunities more. My friend that lives there aboard his houseboat with his wife told me that there's lots of nite clubs, bars and restaurants in the area that would love to have someone that does the type of performances I provide.

Chas, there were even a couple jazz places there that advertised in the motel flyers. I'd bet even money that you and Captain Russ could both find work at HHI without trying very hard.

All the best,

Gary

Gary, Jim lives in the next town over from me. I had the impression that he moved from HHI because of the paucity of musical opportunities. But I could be wrong. Maybe Jim will read this and pipe in.

chas