Not me (for the first time in more than 20 years.)

Gary

Well, the 4-hour Easter gig came and went. Much longer than I normally play. However, the management requested that (my regular employer), with all the many diners showing up. I know many of you have lots of war stories. This one was interesting. Because of space issues, they set me up half inside and half outside (on a balcony), playing through two large open doors. They wanted the sound to carry inside, as well as to the open atrium behind me. Wasn’t too bad, until the cool dampness set in. Rain in the air made the keyboard sticky. Then, it got chilly. Then, the owner’s son shows up with a dog that was tied up about ten feet away. It soon began to bark, as children showed up. Then, the dog began to eat the potted plants scattered around. Then, the huge, costumed bunny rabbit appeared, creating quite a scene. Then, the egg hunt commenced all around me. Kids everywhere. It was sort of a circus for a while. But, there were many compliments on the music, so something must have gone right. What we want do sometimes to play live music.

My group had a really nice Easter gig at a residential nursing home in a place called Knutsford Near Manchester . It was a very upmarket affair. apparently the cost to stay at this nursing home was about £1000 per week. The residents were wonderful and the caring staff were very accommodating. We delivered a traditional Easter program with poems hymns and songs that we performed towards the entrance of the building which was about 100' x 15' wide. The ceiling is very high , And I only used the keyboards internal amplification as acoustics were so good. The Residence participated and sang loud and heartily and so did the carers and so did the families of the residents. It was about 70 to 80 people in total .We had a wonderful time. A number of the residents came and sat next to me and asked me to show them how my keyboard worked. And we played some songs together with a couple of residents just playing the melody on the right hand . And when we had finished and eventually had to leave , many of them gave us s squeeze of the hand . We promised to come back again next year. It was a great experience .

When I got back home I was talking to my daughter (16 years old ) about the experience . She has my wicked sense is of humour and when I told her the weekly cost to stay at that home she said " don't worry about that dad , I have already picked out a suitable home for you and pointed out the window to a camper van parked on the road !! We both laughed as I started to pack her bags .....:-)

I did my Easter dinner at our Cultural Center with about 300 diners and never had more favorable comments. I used my S970 and SSv3 with my Behringer bass bin.

The room was about 100x75 full of talking diners, and the sound flowed equally to all corners with volume at 12:00. A most satisfying engagement and picked up a couple of private parties.