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It is hard to make corrections without first having an accurate perception of the problem... somewhat like trying to miss the trees while running full tilt through a forest while blindfolded. It's less painful if you know where the trees are.



There's the key, Pat. This is like the music version of Restaurant Impossible. They go in and the resident chef is shocked to see bad he is because he has never had better food to know better. If you sing only for the "hometown" crowd, all your friends who think they are doing you a favor by blowing sunshine up your butt.

I recall a time when I was in a very good band that did Motown. We were eating the city up. However, ever show, we saw the same 50 people following us from room to room. So one afternoon over too many beers, I asked our leader and booker, "You think we're really any good?" He said "Yes we are." And I told him "Then let's go somewhere that is too far for our following to show up and see how we do." 5 weeks later we were playing Tuesday to Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Saginaw Michigan. Tuesday was just the regulars, 25-30 people. Wednesday there were 50. Thursday 80-90. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were turnaway crowds. THEN and only then did I know we were good.

Moral of the story, it has to play in Peoria.