The interesting thing is I knew a few people who easily knew 500+ songs and all of them by memory.

The one guy in particular was a freaking genius when it came to music. He was an amazingly talented piano player and singer. He was always swapping out players in his band's lineup. playing with him was a musical education because the guy could play anything. And he practically knew everything and every song. He knew the top 40 stuff on the radio and he also knew the hits and popular songs from the 40's. A walking talking musical encyclopedia. The fellow didn't use any sheet music or lyric pages. He didn't write up set lists either. He was the band leader.... think Paul Schafer. He'd start the show and call the songs as he went. You never knew what was coming. Of course he did have a regular group of about 100 songs that he drew from most often. I never had the misfortune to play with his band. He was quite the arse.

I did play with the other guy who also had an amazing repertoire. Like the first guy he knew lots of tunes, but he did make a set list and pretty much stuck to it. Never saw him use a lyric sheet or sheet music. I played in that band for a few months. When they started requiring tux's and playing lots of country club gigs... that was the beginning of the end. This fellow was a nice guy, but his momma ran the band.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.