Why do so many people answer the question with an arranger demonstrator?

Without doubt myself. I am so very good and I love listening to my myself

No serious my favorite one is Allois Muller. I love what he do with his left hand and he gives a lot useful tips.

Because they "sell the sizzle, not the steak." To a degree it's about marketing the product. If they get us talking about who is your favorite they've done the job.

I'd say Peter Baartman's is my favorite and I'm sure some of that has to do with seeing him and talking with him in a group setting of 5 people 6 years ago.

Demonstrators are very visible so many are aware of them. They generally are very good if not brilliant players as well.

I really enjoy our Rico's playing. He exudes the joy of playing music.

Yes Spark he really shows what can be done mixing it up using SMF
backing files and playing on top sounds great too.
He has a great voice also.

That's the first time I heard Rico sing - great voice, excellent timing, and I am confident that he could to the same routing using his arranger keyboard and without a midi file.

Thanks for posting that video,

Gary

I never heard him sing either- wow. Great style and control just like his playing. I am reminded of his bossa rendition of Stranger in Paradise. He just has so much fun when he plays. Shows me how much we need to enjoy the pure satisfaction of playing music where we all started, not just for adulation, attention, or for an audience.

I really don't like comparisons like this, BUT going just on the players here, I have to say Don Mason for how he uses the arranger, and how when I listen to his work I really think I am listening to a country BAND ...
And of course I must add Kabinopus, who plays so well ...

There are just too many wonderful folks (here on SZ and throughout the internet world) who are great inspirations. Have to say thought, that Allois Muller gets my nod as he doesn't even speak English yet he makes a great effort to convey his knowledge to those who don't speak German. He's a great musician and he makes great educational videos. And to the SZ crowd....well, "You're ALL my favorites"!