Notes_Norton

Ready Teddy — Little Richard (covered by Elvis P)

Judy In Disguise With Glasses — Jon Fred & His Playboy Band

I remember playing singles bars, 9PM to 2PM was the norm. Latest one was The 4 O'Clock Rendezvous (we called it the 4 O'clock Club) in Fort Lauderdale FL. Two bands, rotating hour sets, one hour on, one hour off. The first band started at 10, to watch the bartenders set up the bar, never more than a couple of customers. At 12 we had an OK audience. At 2AM when most bars had to close it got full. At 4AM when they were the only bar left open in the county, the place was packed. We drove home to the sunrise. Another late one was 3 bars in one building in Miami. We played in one, accompanying strippers. Another had duos or trios, and the third, no entertainment. We got off at 2, but the no-entertainment bar had to be closed at 6AM and couldn't open again until 7. So they made an announcement, and locked the doors at 6 and didn't open them until 7, technically obeying the law. The drinking continued. As time went by and the then future Mrs. Notes and I decided to form a duo, and play the +50 year old market in Florida, we usually played until midnight. In the summer, when business was slow, we played Elk's lodges and other 'animal clubs' and they always went until midnight. Now, we're still playing the same venues as we did in the 1990s, but we rarely play later than 9PM and usually only 3 hours per gig. It doesn't matter to me, the good thing is we are still making a living doing what we love to do. We started this duo in 1985 when we were both in our youth, and the only time we were out of work was during the COVID lockdown. We still play to gray hair and glasses, but when we started it was Glenn Miller / Frank Sinatra music, now the music is mostly from the 1960s to the 2020s A few weeks ago, we did an afternoon party about 25 miles from home, in the next city. We got packed up and hit the road at 4 - rush hour. Man! Traffic jam time, more time stopped than moving. Am I ever glad I don't have a real job - what a waste of time. It took about a half hour to get there, and almost 1 1/2 hours to get home. Life is good today. Notes ♫

Going Home — Alvin Lee (Ten Years After)

Great advice, and the money doesn't stop hemorrhaging for at least 18 years if you choose the Huggins.

Our NYE gig was from 7-10PM at a very fancy country club - tuxedo required, big bucks for one night. It was an hour drive away, and we got home at about 12:10 AM, before the crazies hit the road. I hadn't had a tux gig since before COVID. I remember the days when I wore one often, but most gigs are more relaxed now.

Fun Fun Fun — Beach Boys

They don't call TV "The Boob Tube" for only one reason.

Played a New Year's Eve gig on the 31st. A great way to end an old year. Played a New Year's Day gig on the 1st. A great way to start a new one. Every year is filled with tragedy and glee. I hope your new year is filled with glee.

Frampton did some great guitar playing with Humble Pie, before most non-musicians knew his name. But award shows are bogus anyway. More politics than talent.

Fool (If You Think It's Over) — Chris Rea

I like his early compositions like this one, dark and moody. Later, he got too bright and commercial for me. I can't blame him, I play pop music instead of jazz for a living, because I want to eat and pay the mortgage.

OK, what I found is there is too much latency, even for just noodling around. Need to go to plan B. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Just another face in the crowd - #29 in the series.

I heard bits of this on the radio when driving, so I need to hear the whole thing.

Money, (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong (and dozens of covers) Notes ♫

Thanks. I thought of that, but was looking for something easier. I don't really want more software on my gigging computer, but it just might come down to that. Notes ♫

Sometimes we have to setup for a gig early. They might be having dinner or something. I figure I can take the laptop anywhere their Wi-Fi reaches, play some YouTube videos, and play along with the nano keyboard. Mostly for ear training instead of wasting an hour. A few other things. The sound doesn't have to be great, as long as I can hear the notes, and select a patch that is listenable above the streaming music, I'm good. If no Wi-Fi, I have hundreds of mp3s that I can use if we take a break. Songs I've never learned. I thought I could play one on the Windows Media player, and noodle around on the nano to hear chords or anticipate melody line intervals. Just for ear training, which I feel one can never get too much of. A MIDI Mapper type app seems like a good idea.

Shut Your Mouth — Garbage