Dickie has played only Yamahas for many, many years. He couldn't come to grips with the Korg OS. He kept getting it ready to take on jobs, but never did. The only reason he wanted to change from the PSR S950 was because the PA4X, and now the SX900, play karaoke files! Having that capability cuts down on the gear in his setup.
He IS a good musician. He plays bass and mandolin and sings, but he is not a great arranger player. I'm giving him lessons so not much chance of his ever becoming one.
He is a great entertainer. He uses single finger chords, midi files, karaoke, ventriloquist, excellent stage manner and banter. He plays almost no lead with right hand, but hires some excellent side men when necessary.
He works as much as he wants to work, doing several nursing homes each week. He is curtailing the band jobs, and only accepting ones he can do as a single, or ones that REALLY pay a lot and make hiring sidemen viable.
Dickie has had multiple health problems, diabetes, blood clot, etc., much caused by being overweight. He now goes to the gym every morning and has lost about a hundred pounds over the last few years.
He goes crappie fishing and plays golf several days a week. He goes to Bluegrass/Country "jam sessions" a couple of days a week. He's older than I am and getting around better than I am.
He owned an insurance agency for many years and sold it a few years ago and now supplements his retirement with the money he makes entertaining.
I hope he doesn't mind my telling some of his life story. He's been a good friend for more than 30 years.
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