[Dixielandjazz] Using Lap top Computers

[tcashwigg at aol.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: larrys.bands at charter.net
To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Sent: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 1:48 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Using Lap top Computers

   Tom Said ---

I especially love the guy on stage with his Laptop, and I see events
around the San Francisco area featuring such guys for parties and 
clubs.....


You're too late Tom.  I have been using a computer for a long time to 
fill in
the rhythm section and each year I look at the figures.  I make more 
money with
my computer than I do playing standard gigs.

Oh NO No No Larry !  Does the Union know about this ?  Guido will be at 
your next gig !!

What we do is sort of like a Karaoke for Horns.  For years I was at the 
mercy of
rhythm players who almost never returned the favor of a gig.  This 
happened
because they had their cronies or would hire guys that were better.  
There has
always been an excess of horn players at least here.


Same problem exists out here, a Giant Excess of Horn Players until you 
call one and suddenly they are all really busy and booked solid even 
though you can drive all over the city and surrounding cites for miles 
looking for a horn band and not find one.   They do however suddenly 
become available about three seconds after you answer their next three 
questions # 1. how much does it pay ?  #2 How long do I have to play?  
#3 Where is it , or the best answer, "I have another gig but I can get 
out of it."

When the new technology came about I jumped on it.  It wasn't 
universally
accepted by other horn players but money talks and they found out it 
wasn't half
bad.  My biggest problem was finding guys that were good enough to play 
with the
computer.  Computers aren't very forgiving.

Neither is ASCAP or BMI  ??   :))  Watch out the Union may turn you in 
to them too. :))
and they will definitely send Guido's cousin Squeedo to see you at your 
next gig :))

Today I have about 600 or so tunes in my computer and can field most 
requests
and  can do a big variety of shows.  Also the rhythms are correct and 
steady for
the ball room crowd.  There are gigs that I had never ever done before. 
 I put
together a Latin show and now I get Cinco De Mayo parties.

You are single handedly dissipating the Union's usefulness in St. Louis 
too :))

Do I like it?  Well I get tired of playing with a computer and would 
much rather
play with a group but I have to keep the chops up and I like to make 
money.   I
have larger groups but they don't work as often as I would like and I 
work for
other people to fill in the dance card.

There is another factor in that I can play at any odd hour and 
musicians aren't
always available.  I got a call as I was returning home from one gig.  
The band
didn't show up so I was able to beat feet to the second gig and do a 
single.
Oh, I also used another piece of new technology, the cell phone, to get 
the
call.

Before everyone starts shaking their heads I would ask how many sax 
players can
do a single?  I can and get paid very well for it thank you.

A lot more than you might think Larry,  we even have a Trombone player 
out here doing it and Yep,
 you guessed it he has a PAGER too !

  It has forced me  to be a better entertainer.  Rather than just 
sitting on a stand and playing
when someone points at me I now sing and talk to the crowd.

Now that I can relate to and understand:  It however does not work for 
all of them, some
  of them were simply born with no personality and never developed one 
either,
 not to mention take away the chart and they can't play a note.


Am I a particularly good singer?  Well no but no one seems to mind.  
Interacting
with people was something I almost never did before 15 years ago.  I 
didn't have
to then, now I do.  I now think of myself as an entertainer who plays a 
horn.

Not a thing wrong with that:   The Entertainers always make more money 
than the musicians, also the reason for all those Chick Singers that 
many musicians love to hate, but without whom they could not buy a gig 
:))

I also can fit in places that a regular band can't fit into.  I play a 
country
club and two private parties that only has room for a music stand and 
an amp.

I should turn down these gigs because.....?   The Union Says to :))
They should be forced to hire a ten piece band from the union hall like 
the good old days when the Union guys made about the same money for a 
ten piece band as you do now as a Solo ENTERTAINER WHO ALSO PLAYS A 
HORN.

If anyone wants to hear what it sounds like go to my new website
www.thelarryshow.com or Google Larry Walton Entertainment.
   The site is a work in progress.  Sorry, Tom And Steve, if the clothEs 
aren't on the cool list.

NOT A PROBLEM AT ALL LARRY:  IF THEY WILL COME OUT TO HEAR AND SEE YOU 
NAKED GO FOR IT IF IT'S A PAID GIG AND WHO KNOWS YOU MIGHT GET LUCKY 
AND GET A STAND UP DANCE OR TWO :))

CHEERS,

TOM  " I feel Like Dancin"  WIGGINS

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