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- Feb 28, 2001
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I learned music theory and performance starting from age 6. Too many years ago. I started with the "piano accordian" which is different from the button accordian or concertina. I switched to trumpet at about 12 and switched to organ at 13. I played organ for many years thereafter.
Including playing on live TV in Birmingham AL USA, playing for fashion shows (same city), playing on Bourbon St. and on Tulane Ave. in New Orleans, and even recording a couple of singles at the same studio where Fats Domino cut his first albums. (Cosimo Studios in the N'Awlins French Quarter.)
I guess the highlight of my performing career was when I was in the backup band that covered the Sonny & Cher concert. Charlie Rich ("The Silver Fox") was the lead-in act. I had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Rich at some length. He set me straight on music as a career. Which is why I stayed with computers and chemistry.
To summarize his advice: Unless you have a great deal of luck or an incredibly apt manager, you will spend years on the road, living out of a bus or a cheap motel room, never forming close relationships with anyone except your tour members, and never having a place to call home.
I played organ as a hobby or a side vocation since I was 13. The only reason I don't right know is that Hurricane Katrina drowned the instrument I had and at the moment I have other priorities to consider in home reconstruction. I'll get another instrument eventually, but right now I've got other fish to fry.
On the theme of pianos and electric keyboards, I tend to bang a lot on any touch-sensitive keyboard but I'm told that on electronics, I'm enjoyable as a performer.
That comment about "the piano player doesn't go home alone" - My wife and I met at a dance because my musical background helped me to become a good dancer. She was later fascinated by my educated fingers that could play other things than ordinary keyboards. But she liked my organ, too
Including playing on live TV in Birmingham AL USA, playing for fashion shows (same city), playing on Bourbon St. and on Tulane Ave. in New Orleans, and even recording a couple of singles at the same studio where Fats Domino cut his first albums. (Cosimo Studios in the N'Awlins French Quarter.)
I guess the highlight of my performing career was when I was in the backup band that covered the Sonny & Cher concert. Charlie Rich ("The Silver Fox") was the lead-in act. I had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Rich at some length. He set me straight on music as a career. Which is why I stayed with computers and chemistry.
To summarize his advice: Unless you have a great deal of luck or an incredibly apt manager, you will spend years on the road, living out of a bus or a cheap motel room, never forming close relationships with anyone except your tour members, and never having a place to call home.
I played organ as a hobby or a side vocation since I was 13. The only reason I don't right know is that Hurricane Katrina drowned the instrument I had and at the moment I have other priorities to consider in home reconstruction. I'll get another instrument eventually, but right now I've got other fish to fry.
On the theme of pianos and electric keyboards, I tend to bang a lot on any touch-sensitive keyboard but I'm told that on electronics, I'm enjoyable as a performer.
That comment about "the piano player doesn't go home alone" - My wife and I met at a dance because my musical background helped me to become a good dancer. She was later fascinated by my educated fingers that could play other things than ordinary keyboards. But she liked my organ, too