Final chapter of my road trip... I just left Notes Norton and his beautiful wife/ performing partner Leilani. They played a local gig at a marina (yes, a waterfront gig! how cool is that?)
Their repertoire is built around backing tracks that Notes created in BIAB using his own styles! (how cool is THAT??)
They keep their duo interesting in a variety of ways: 1) by maintaining a very large active song list
2) by playing a variety of different instruments in the course of the show
3) and by interacting with the audience at a very personal level. Patrons actually stopped to hug them as they left!! They know many of their audience members by name! Their audience not only enjoys their show, the audience loves them as people and as friends... I've rarely seen anything like this!
4) and by visibly acting out how much fun they are having! Their enthusiasm for performing is truly infectious, and I can honestly say that watching their show filled me with a profound sense of joy.
After the show Notes and Leilani very graciously took me to a wonderful restaurant (also on the water, fantastic view, fantastic food and fantastic company! Thank you Notes and Leilani!)
Because the season for performing does not last the whole year, the Nortons like to travel during their off-season. If you ever have the opportunity to meet them, ask about their travels... they have been EVERYWHERE! and their experiences have been truly unique and off the beaten path.
But the best thing of all is the glow that marks the unmistakable presence of deep love and respect between two people. When Notes and Leilani sit beside each other you can almost see sparks flying between them! I am not in the habit of envying others, but I find myself wishing for a relationship like theirs... and for the unique brand of contentment they have built into their lives by making choices that allow them to live exactly the life that thrills them.
Thanks for helping me to arrange a meeting with two people I've liked and respected from a distance for years. My expectations were high, but the reality was better. Bob and Leilani, you will always be welcome in my home!
Pat, I can tell you that the next time you come up north, I will give you the 40% friends and family discount for the couch you will sleep on, and you only have to wash, but not wax, my car.
Pat, I can tell you that the next time you come up north, I will give you the 40% friends and family discount for the couch you will sleep on, and you only have to wash, but not wax, my car.
Eddie, there's a high likelihood I'll take you up on that offer... but probably not until the weather in Ohio is a lot warmer than it is today!
And I am happy to be counted among the lucky that Pat was gracious enough to visit on his road trip.
He patiently sat through 3 hours of us goofing off on 'stage' and then went out to a decent waterfront restaurant and spent a few hours enjoying each others company.
It was a real treat for both Leilani and myself to spend some time visiting with a old friend that we met in person for the first time.
I think by now all of us who take the time to participate in the forums realize that this is a pretty cool place to hang out. It operates very much like a family as floyd has pointed out. Pat Marr is the embodiment of all that is good about this place. A gracious and humble man that I now call my friend. What he has done with this series of visits has brought us all a little bit closer together and he should be commended for his efforts. In his own words " How cool is that?" Thanks Pat. Tom
You're welcome. Not many know this. I've Been Everywhere is "soo" country that nobody questions that it is an original by Hank Snow even if some guy named Geoff Mack wrote it. (There were many cover recordings, most of them with the North-American words.) I've learned about it through an album by the LeGarde Twins. Before then, I also never knew that this is an Aussie original.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
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One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
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