What sort of stuff were you doing when still over here in the UK? Big bands, groups, cruises etc.?

Cheers

Paul

Hey Paul,

I started off in Bier Kellers on Piano accordian way way back lol then moved onto summer seasons with social clubs during the winters then did a few long stints on the Love boat cruises over here state side in a trio and finally back to backing social acts in a duo, organ.synths and a drummer in various clubs in the Uk.

Since moving to the states I've had no gigs at all,( a few rehersals with some guys who couldn't read music and didn't know what the hell they were playing half the time so soon gave that the elbow ) the music scene where I am is pretty dead except for rock and country bands who have to travel regularly to get the work.... I was hoping to team up with a guitarist/singer and do local functions but every one I tried out was just interested in bands.

There are plenty of restaurants but they get full without paying for live music so nothing down there, plus I don't think I could get used to playing background music while a bunch of folks feed their faces lol There's not much gratification in that... another reason for retiring from gigs was my wife and I can't stand smoke so visitng clubs is not enjoyable.... no more smokey bars for me lol

I get my pleasure now jammin at home whenever the mood takes me

How about you, what's your story?

Hi Steve,

Similar story to you really. Left school at 17 and went straight into a showband at a holiday camp, (Pontins, Prestatyn). Remember 'The Comedians' on TV at the time? We'd have Frank Carson and all the other regulars plus Russ Abbot (the impressionist) was still on drums with the Black Abbots all making weekly visits so it was a fun way to get started in the business. Spent 4 months in Germany doing the US bases with a 4 piece and then many years doing stuff with big bands on the Mecca circuit. 6 month stint on the QE2 with the house band then moved on to do Come Dancing until I broke my wrist and lost the gig! Spent approx. 13 years pro, then the family started arriving and as all the travelling was doing my head in I changed direction to a non-musical route.

Like you, my main musical enjoyment these days just comes from jammin' at home and listening to what others do on their keyboards.

You must have some stories to tell Steve so if you ever get a chance to tell us, here's a thread we started some time back:

What's your strangest musical experience?

or, if you've had an embarrassing musical moment here's a thread for that:

What's your most embarrassing musical moment?

Cheers

Paul

Nice to meet a fellow musician with similar background even though it's not face to face .

Yeah I got stories, not sure I'de want to share them in an open forum lmao they are more for reminiscing over a cool one
but I'll check out those links you sent.

Just to let you know, I went ahead and ordered the T3 last night I'm hoping to receive it by the weekend. Keeping fingers crossed I sell my old one, I have it up for sale on Ebay right now.

All the best,

Steve