I see so many people playing with NO feeling or soul......I say lets the music take you away and let the magic happen..

FWIW, I'm always "into it". Can't help that, it's the way I'm wired.:)

Honestly, not like back in the day before going OMB with an Arranger. I felt more into the music when I was playing multiple keyboards and kicking bass on the B3.
But times change so unless I can grab a nice piano solo gig I probably won't feel so connected.That why I'm enjoying just playing piano on my FP90 at home.
BTW last time I saw Tony Monaco he was on fire. I don't think it was just showmanship but that man gets into his Hammond ! He's my favorite.

But you still have to be aware of your surrounding when playing, audience, stage presence, and perception also,....if the "diggin' it" state of mind is REAL it's cool,.....But like many seen that all of a sudden the minute you start to play go into a "fake closed eyed musical trance" turning it "on & off" at will as I see many pros and armature alike do it just looks ridiculous IMO..

Always aware of the surroundings, the audience etc., and when I have them singing back to me it's a great feeling ... but honestly, last Saturday playing at the restaurant with a full dance floor was the 'highest' feeling I've had on a gig in a while ... their energy coming back to me was amazing ... I was feeling it and it really kicked me into a higher gear ...

Tony your missing my point,......what I mean I when your playing all of a sudden close your eyes & go into some kind of
"weird looking trance meditative state of mind" that looks totally fake,....I don't know how else to put it..

It all depends on the crowd and my own attitude. Sometimes I close my eyes, but not often because I have actually dozed off in the middle of a song before! These days I get more sleep though!
It's a two-way street; you feed off the audience and vice-versa. Sometimes it's magic, sometimes it's sleight of hand!

Yep...what Don said. Ever play something like "Misty" and wonder how it turned into Stardust?.
E

Yep that's it!