Notes_Norton

And well drinks were 35¢, top shelf drinks 49¢ and you could get a cup of coffee for a dime at a diner. But ever since one particular president and his party took us off the gold standard, inflation has gone crazy. Things generally cost 10 times as much now, but we make more, too. The only loss is our savings. While it seems to grow, if that $1,000 you put away in the 1960s isn't $10,000 now, you've lost buying power. Insights and incites by Notes ♫

4 bits, 6 bits, a dollar

We do a few of those, and it's nice to see people who are definitely challenged brighten up. Some can't talk, but will sing along with the words to the songs of their youth. It makes me feel like we are doing something important for them.

Children of the Grave — Black Sabbath

When I was in my 30s, I decided to pitch my efforts to the adult communities in Florida. There are a lot of them, so I figured it was a good market. Our audience is from 50 to nearly dead. Grey hair and glasses in the audience. At first, it was Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, the Gershwins, Duke Ellington and zero rock and roll. As years passed, we started getting requests for Elvis Presley, The Platters, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holley and the other early rockers. As time went on, The Beatles entered, along with their era. Then Jimmy Buffett, Miami Sound Machine/Estafan, Cyndi Lauper, etc., And the music eras keep on progressing. Elvis and the Beatles are old now, to be played sparingly. We also mix in country, Latin American, Reggae/Soca, and newish songs that the older generation takes a liking to, like Bruno Mars, Pharrell Williams, Zac Brown, Chris Stapleton, and so on. We have over 600 songs in our songlist https://www.nortonmusic.com/cats/songlist.html, although we don't often play the pre-Elvis ones, and even the early rock songs need the right crowd. The advantages are that if I play 3 days a week, I make as much money as I would in a bar for 5 or 6 nights (one-nighters pay better). Since there is a party, there is always an audience - no Thursday night snoozers. By that age they are self-confident, and not reluctant to show their appreciation. Unlike top40 night clubs, when we learn a song, it's good for at least 10 years, it won't drop off the charts (it's already off) and become out of style to play. There are some cons as well. We have to move gear every night. But I don't have to go to a gym to work out, I do “speakercise”. There isn't as much 'star status' in the gig, often there is no stage, we play on the floor. Sometimes we are background music. The usually ladies who organize these things like to create themes. We may have to learn a couple of songs for those themes, like a few Hawaiian songs for a Luau, a couple of Polkas for Oktoberfest, a few Christmas songs, or whatever. But we get to reuse them from year to year. Then other themes are easy, last Saturday was simply Black And White, so I wore a black shirt and white tie, no special tunes needed. Here in Florida, the work can be furious from November to Easter, then it slacks. All and all I'm glad I chose that we never lack for gigs. Notes ♫

Sorry to hear that. I hope your next gig is much, much, more profitable. Playing for the door is always a gamble, but if that's the agreement, everyone should pay, and if someone comes in free, the club should pay for him/her. It's one of the reasons why I started doing mostly private parties. We played at an old mobile home park. I mean old, probably 1960s or 70s, judging from the construction of the clubhouse. Our first time there, referred by another client. There was a mix of old and newer trailers, and some new RVs. Although the clubhouse was old, it wasn't run down. There was a small stage, and it was decorated for the party. The guests started coming early, a lot of French Canadians spending the winter here in Florida and some English-speaking folks as well. The place was packed with extra folding chairs brought in to accommodate the crowd. Second song, they hit the dance floor and never left. We played an hour overtime, and they were still on the floor. We could have played another, but at midnight they had to shut it down - park rules. They already reserved another date. ♫ The night before that was another 900space RV Resort. We do this one once or twice a month. Even though it was cold (by Florida Standards) the place was full, and we had a great time. ♫ The afternoon before that we did a concert at an Assisted Living Facility. We've done this one before, too. One hour in the afternoon, and they want us back next month. It's the tourist season here in Florida, so there is a lot of work. Notes ♫

***** on Feel the Noize — Quiet Riot Nanny-bot didn't like the word that sounds like come

$29 or 29 years old? I was used way before I reached 29, and I don't think anyone ever paid $29 for me.

Breakfast In America — Supertramp

Second try for this one...

The moral of the story: Don't get tied up in your work.

40 Miles From Denver — Yonder Mountain String Band

Blue Rondo ala Turk — Dave Brubeck Quartet (Paul Desmond is one of my all-time favorite jazz alto sax players)

Morning Dance — Spyro Gyra

You had one job.....

February Song - Josh Groban

I Lost Someone — James Brown From a great performance album, back when James was still a singer. The intro is composed of the titles of his hit records. It's not the best song on the album, but it fits perfectly in the middle of it. The album is a lesson in audience control.

It looks photoshopped, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.