Notes_Norton

As they say, money doesn't buy happiness, but then it doesn't buy unhappiness either. The two are neither mutually inclusive nor mutually exclusive. There are happy rich and unhappy rich, happy poor and unhappy poor. I suppose if I didn't make enough money to scratch out a living, the lack of it would make life unhappy, but I've always managed to get by. Back when I was in a group that was the warm up band for headliners in concert and they were negotiating us for a record deal I had a lot of money, and I was happy. When the deal fell through, the band broke up, and I went back to working night clubs I was still happy. When I was a field engineer working for a manufacturer of Cable TV equipment, the money was excellent, I had a company car, and only worked 3 days a week, but I wasn't happy. I could do the job but didn't like the way the company was run and therefore the situations they placed me in to do my job. Fortunately I could still gig on the weekends, and after a few years when the lay-off/downsizing came around, I was in the first group to go. I went back to playing music full time for a living and never looked back. I'm living life on my own terms. Nobody is telling me what to do. I don't punch a clock. In other words, I'm free. I accept the gigs that I want, and turn down ones I don't. When I book a gig, I have to show up, but that's not bad because I want to show up - can't wait to get on stage and play. I live by my good business decisions and hopefully learn from bad decisions. I get to play music and make a decent living at it. I'd make more if I was still with the CATV company, but I wouldn't be as successful in life. You spend the majority of your waking hours at work. If you do at work what you would do for free, you are a lucky person. I'm lucky that way. I'm of retirement age, but I have no plans to retire. Gigging is the most fun I can have with my clothes on. Some people wake up to an alarm and say "I have to go to work today". I wake up when I want and say, "I GET to go to work this evening!!!" and that is a big difference. As far as I'm concerned, life is too short to be in the "I HAVE to go to work today" group. Add to that I'm married to my best friend who is a fantastic singer and my duo mate. We could spend 24/7/365 together and it wouldn't be enough. I'm a very, very lucky man. Some people define success differently, but this works for me. Notes

Well it looks like Christina has a theme going Christina Aguilera - The Beautiful People (from the Burlesque soundtrack)

Definitely, and be sure to eat it in a grilled cheese sandwich.

Lunch in a grilled cheese sandwich sounds good to me.

IMO, that's success.

Craig, I wouldn't want to be in Chicago today either, I think Key West would be better. The Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful - Jimmy Buffett

I know it's only an outside chance: Cruise pawn shops, if you see your gear there, don't say anything, step outside and call the police. You'll get that gear back, and with a surprise visit perhaps the police can find out who pawned it.

I was in a hired horn section for a band called "Becen And The Shells". But that had nothing to do with Becan. It's not just for breakfast anymore.

I am a career musician - I never grew up. I am a successful musician - I guess that's rare. The mortgage is paid off and I take vacations every year, but that's not a measure of success. This is: I get up in the morning and go to be at night; In between I do what I want to do. That's success. Notes

"Wishing You Were Here" - Chicago

Surfin' Bird - The Trashmen Consistently on the list of the top 10 worst rock and roll songs ever recorded. We actually do this as a goof if the crowd is right and it goes over well. And after all, seagulls are birds that have a food connection with the surf.

I've never been bothered by being weird. I always thought it came with the territory of being a full-time musician. Or perhaps the other way around.

I’d Rather Not - Emeli Sande

That's tragic Keni. I hope they find the thieves and you get your gear back. Notes

I told you I was weird :D

Barroom Hero - Dropkick Murphys

That will be difficult to un-see. Dream On - Postmodern Jukebox ft. Morgan James

I resist going to made-up shopping holidays like Black Friday, Prime Day, Cyber Monday, and so on. Participating would just make me feel manipulated. But then, I've never been "one of the crowd" - a weirdo according to some. I gigged on "Black Friday" at an RV Resort where about 300 French Canadians and 300 US travelers park there rigs. It was a great party, we did over 3 hours without a break because it was just too much fun to stop. The smiles and energy from the audience kept us stoked. BTW 30 years before Corporate America changed Black Friday into a shopping day, the term was used by the Philadelphia police department as a negative term. It described the parking problems, traffic jams, shoplifting, and other theft nightmare for the police department that occured the day after Thanksgiving. Insights and incites by Notes

Livin' in the Future - Bruce Springsteen

Tuesday Afternoon - Moody Blues

"Godzilla" - Blue Oyster Cult

"Theme From Peter Gunn" - Henry Mancini

Damn Your Eyes - Etta James From the album "7 Year Itch". Etta just got out of rehab, got an all star rhythm section and recorded what might be one of her very best albums ever. There isn't a bad cut on this album and this is a great one.

"25 or 6 to 4" - Chicago Terry Kath's guitar work simply amazes me on this cut. I haven't listened to it in a long time, and it's nice to hear it again. And it's not just the solo work but the backing 'response' licks as well.

"Shotgun" - Jr Walker and the All Stars (great rock/blues sax player from years gone by)