I was at Walmart earlier (where else?) and there was a guy in there wearing a cape! I don't know what his deal was but I was surely not going to get close enough to a guy in a cape to find out.
But that reminded me of seeing Liberace play at our long since gone theater in the round known as The Front Row. It only had 26 rows so every seat was great, and the sound in there was amazing. Plus the stage rotated so every 4-5 minutes you were in the middle of the stage.
So Liberace started his show. We all know he was extremely flamboyant both on and off the stage. His opening outfit was gold lame! He played 3 songs, then introduced the first of 3 guests, a female singer whose name I don't remember. She sang 2 songs, during which he went off stage to change clothes. When he returned he was wearing what amounted to a black jump suit with a red shirt, and a black cape with red lining that matched the shirt. And here's why the cape came into play.
After the first song of that segment he told a story about the IRS disallowing his deduction for his stage costumes. He explained how he debated with the agent that many of, if not all of, his outfits could also be worn as everyday clothing. And the punchline, delivered with that smile and wink that he had, was
"THIS is the outfit I wore to the audit!"
"I got the deduction!"
Sadly, he was a lifelong chain smoker, which depleted his pulmonary and cardiac systems, and that led to his body not being able to combat the effects of HIV later in life. He was a fantastic player. During that show he played a LOT of Chopin pieces, and he really knew how to capture an audience.
Not unlike the guy in the Walmart, who drew the complete attention of everybody he passed!
Yep... I never saw him live, but I do recall more than a few TV shows. He also used a trademark candelabra on the piano. His outfits were certainly "out there"... Cool story about the IRS audit.
Speaking of Walmart.... I saw a guy in there dressed in a Scottish Kilt. Complete with the high socks, military style boots, the scarf or whatever it's called that goes over the shoulder and the leather bag on a rope.... He was totally bald, and had those leather forearm protectors on as well. All he was lacking was a sword and bagpipes. This was in NC... right up the road from me about 5 miles.... I love the people of Walmart. So entertaining.
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.
True story about a month into the lock down we had a guy wandering around the neighborhood with bagpipes in a kilt (and the rest of the attire) .. and actually playing. Just walking around playing that awful racket ..
Lasted a couple days, not sure what happened after that. /Honest, wasn't me that put an end to it, by I raise a pint to whoever did
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
True story about a month into the lock down we had a guy wandering around the neighborhood with bagpipes in a kilt (and the rest of the attire) .. and actually playing. Just walking around playing that awful racket ..
Lasted a couple days, not sure what happened after that. /Honest, wasn't me that put an end to it, by I raise a pint to whoever did
Maybe he walked across the bridge into Sarnia. People will do anything to get out of that state!!
True story about a month into the lock down we had a guy wandering around the neighborhood with bagpipes in a kilt (and the rest of the attire) .. and actually playing. Just walking around playing that awful racket ..
Lasted a couple days, not sure what happened after that. /Honest, wasn't me that put an end to it, by I raise a pint to whoever did
Hi Bob, Bad to listen to, worse to record and reminds me of another true story. For about ten years I lived on the Isle of Skye off the west coast of Scotland. One day this pipe major walks into my studio and asks if I'll record a cassette of him playing bagpipes. Never being one to turn down paid work, I said yes and we fixed a booking. Well, it turns out that apart from being unbelievably loud, bagpipes have a frequency range from way down low, to frequencies which only dogs can hear and which are high enough to affect the bias on the tape machine (it was back in those days). I now know why none of the other studios within 100 miles would take the job. The only way I could get any sort of result was to strip out the high frequency with a Klark-Teknik graphic and then flatten the whole thing with a Drawmer compressor. After the recording I put back some brightness with an Aphex. The upshot was that he loved it and for the next few years I became the "go-to" place for bagpipe recordings on the basis of his recommendations. Eventually I fled to England and safety!
Liberace was a fabulous entertainer AND pianist, still enjoy his shows on you tube
ROG, what a great story, I played in Skye twice a week for a few years and loved it. Never tired of the scenery. Not a fan of the pipes either but, I like them when played with other instruments
In one of the yacht clubs that we frequently perform at, on formal nights, one guy dresses up in his kilt and all the accessories (except weapons), and his wife has a matching outfit. On formal nights I wear my tux, which my accountant tells me I can't take as a tax deduction.
And yes, Liberace was a very good pianist and entertainer.
And yes, Liberace was a very good pianist and entertainer. Notes
I heard him play Chopsticks once
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
I can't say for sure but I once heard that in China they call that song "Silverware".
Some years back a friend of mine bought a newer upright piano than what he had so when his daughter spent here every other weekend and alternating holidays with him she had a better piano to practice on. When he did that he gave me him.
I immediately went to all the salvage store places in my area and bought up every candelabra I cold find. I must have had a dozen of them. He sent me a pic when the delivery people delivered it. When I got home I sent him another pic with all of those things on it. That was like 9 years ago, and that piano is long gone, but he still has that picture.
Years ago, when I was in Columbus, Ohio, late one Friday night, around midnight, I go into a United Dairy Farmers store...you know kinda like a 7-11 these days.
Standing in line, there is a guy a few customers ahead of me. This guy is dressed in a purple velvet suit with bell-bottom pants with a bright canary satin shirt with collar points that spread out to his shoulders. He has a wide brim purple velvet hat on with a big yellow canary ostrich feather sticking out.
Everyone was starring, not knowing whether to laugh or smile for fear of getting shot. Anyhow, when he gets up to the checkout, he tells the checkout girl "Give me a pack of what I am....Kool!
Years ago, when I was in Columbus, Ohio, late one Friday night, around midnight, I go into a United Dairy Farmers store...you know kinda like a 7-11 these days.
Standing in line, there is a guy a few customers ahead of me. This guy is dressed in a purple velvet suit with bell-bottom pants with a bright canary satin shirt with collar points that spread out to his shoulders. He has a wide brim purple velvet hat on with a big yellow canary ostrich feather sticking out.
Everyone was starring, not knowing whether to laugh or smile for fear of getting shot. Anyhow, when he gets up to the checkout, he tells the checkout girl "Give me a pack of what I am....Kool!
I'm guessing it wasn't Liberace, but was instead, a local [*****]. (Uhhh OK.... essentially a "brother" who runs a business with certain ladies of ill-repute, and is known for dressing outrageously. )
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 01/10/2108:45 AM.
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.
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)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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