I miss this so much right now, but unfortunately, it's over.

Gary

it doesnt have to be you can always return to duty, ..
just sayin'

Donny, mentally, I would return today, but physically, it's out of the question. Today, I went to the boat, it was put in the water, and I reinstalled the radar system and main sail. The radar only weighs about 20 pounds, but somewhat awkward to install. The main sail weighs about 80 pounds and I had to lift it onto the boat, then install the sail in the boom track and mast track, which is a ball buster of a job.

I did about 3 hours work, and when I got home the pain in my lower back was so excruciating that I had to take an M&M (Margaretta and Morphine) along with 3 aspirins. Now I'm on a heating pad in the office chair and checking the forums. Believe me, I can no longer tolerate sitting on the music stool for an hour, and load and unload the gear. It has been about an hour since the M&M and the pain is just beginning to subside. For me, it's over. For you, right now, keep on keeping on.

Yesterday, I turned down a Monday night restaurant job, one where I have performed in the past, filling in for an ailing friend. The restaurant owner actually offered me more money then my friend was getting, but it's a two hour job and I am keenly aware that I can no longer handle the job.

All the best,

Gary

sorry to hear that Gary If i was there i would come and set up for you .

If you were here, I could give you 450 jobs a year, which would be even better.

All the best,

Gary

If I were there I'd just TAKE them from you! No I wouldn't and probably couldn't, and if I could there's no way I'd work that hard!!

Don, I could have easily added another 100 to 200 jobs a year to the 450 figure. I just didn't want to work that hard either.

Gary

Gary there has to be ways to still stay involved in what you enjoy so much.

1-Share some of the dollars you make and have a young man do all the lifting and setting up.
2-Make it a duo and have him help you set up. To begin with.

You know how to get the jobs – You know how to work your audience --- And you know what to play and when. I feel that the blow you’ve been given has stifled your imagine.
Gary, THERE IS MORE FOR YOU.

John C.

PS, I see the perfect example when observing older senior who are much older than you and are far more limited than you going places and doing things they love. They have someone pushing them in their wheel chairs – driving them where they need to go, and some have their meals cooked for them.

Gary, you are nowhere near these people; but you may be having one big pity-party. Gary that is not meant to be unkind, I just care.

These videos look too "slick." How many of you think they are professionally filmed and edited? And maybe the entertainer filmed by himself superimposed onto a video where the camera person "hired" a bunch of animated people to sit around a room, played some canned rock 'n roll, and filmed their reactions, and then put the two together. Somehow I can't see residents who can't even walk now doing a Conga line.

I personally don't think these musicians are that good that everyone in the listening audience suddenly becomes a dancing machine.

So.......what do YOU think?

M

Mark, I think they are the real deal, and I had assisted living residents who could barely walk without a walker or cane in a Conga Line while I sang and played Hot Hot Hot.

Gary

DITTO

... my mom - may she rest in piece - used a cane from the time she was about 80 yrs of age - she passed away at 93 yrs. - whenever she went to a party the first thing she did was put her cane on the back of a chair and head to the dance floor ...

Piano Guys have their act together...they can play. the others are a little embarrassing...I suspect excusing their meritocracy
by focusing on the venue and the "good" they're doing.

I think that's a real cop-out.


R.

PS. If the piano guys did not hire a pro to film and edit, they're as good at film as they are music and entertaining.

The difference, as it is here, is lighting and audio mixing.

Good Stuff!

On the one hand, I always have the movie "Alive Inside" in the back of my mind.....how music could work miracles for many mentally challenged people. I don't doubt that for a second.

On the other hand, I go with Russ on this one. Outside of the "Piano Guys" I don't think these other entertainers are as exciting as they portray themselves in their videos. But then again, I didn't think music would ever turn into the "free-for-all" that it eventually did!

But the reason I mentioned these "Musicgate" videos in the first place was because it might have discouraged any nursing home beginners in this group from starting down that road, thinking they "could never be that good!"

Mark

124......I'm guessing you don't watch enough television commercials to understand how they reek with duplicity! Or MTV video's, as in the Milli Vanilli lip-sync scandal back in the 90's!

The one thing I believe in strongly is NOT to believe anything that causes me to IMMEDIATELY believe in it. Well.....I DO believe politicians in their campaign speeches. It's a known fact that ALL politicians are honest and filled with integrity!

Mark

You're right on the money there, Mark. Other than sport and news, I don't watch any TV. Plus, I do have a healthy (unhealthy?) slice of cynicism, but I can't go as far as you in believing 90% of what politicians say - though I do note a heavy air of tongue-in-cheek on your comment there.:)

Re. those videos, I absolutely agree with yourself and Russ about the level of musical ability in the Piano Guys. The other two, well they're less than stellar, to be kind, and I certainly wouldn't like to be regarded in the same light.

But, as mentioned, regardless of the 'quality' of the product, all three of those acts are brightening the day of their audiences. That's the end result. Now, whether that's accomplished with brilliance of musical performance or by just stumbling along, is not, as Russ put it, "a real cop out". It is the tangible result of their efforts, whether we enjoy it or not.

Maybe it's just me, but if I can go out and make someone happy (maybe I should resurrect that one :)) then I'm proud to do just that.

Over the years, I've watched lots of movies on TV, which of course, triggered me to learn all those incredible movie themes.

Gary