Quote:

Here's another tip:Please don't make the common mistake of thinking that just because the audience is old, they only like old music. They didn't stop listening to their radios back in 1945!




Tony,

That's a great piece of advice. I always thought there was something wrong with me - Music-taste wise (and otherwise). I'm 51 years old now and I mostly run into people who can't relate to me musically -- Most I find have a single genre and some have as many as three or so, but I'm ridiculous! Here's my list:

My top Genre's (right now):
  • Contemporary / mild-Rock Christian
  • Jazz - Funk
  • Jazz - Fusion
  • Jazz - Contemporary Cool Smooth
  • 70's and some 80's Mild Rock
  • Jazz - High strung 40's Bop
  • 70's R&B - Especially 70's Funk


My "Also" Genre's (that I also listen to):
  • Country - Not too Old, Not too Modern
  • 70's Rock - Boston, Foreigner, Journey, Eagles, BTO, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac
  • Folk - Especially like John Denver stuff for which I was severely teased about when I was a teenager
  • R&B - All types (you wouldn't believe my album collection)
  • 70's Disco - Some
  • Classical - Some


My all time favorite - I'd have to say 70's Funk / R&B.

I know there's some pretty weird combinations listed up there, and I find myself "shifting" from time to time - I guess I get board if I've listened to one genre too long.

My grandfather was a classically-trained pianist who played the vaudeville circuit. He taught me piano and the two of us used to play jazz karaoke for grandma -- Once in awhile grandpa would slip her a "special" tune and he'd laugh like there's no tomorrow watching grandma scowl while he played. Off the top of his head one night he combined a Duke Ellington tune (don't remember the tune now), with a jazzed-up version of Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith) and he ended it with Pink Floyd's Brick In The Wall! Yah, I would say I've got some of grandpa's genes! At the time, I remember he was in his 60's and I can remember wondering to myself, "How does grandpa know anything about Pink Floyd and Aerosmith?" Grandpa was always cool.

So no, I am NOT the one who creates our band's sets. Thank God! I could see it now ... I'd have them poor folks disco-dancing to Boston wearing Elton's "shoes" and Michael Jackson's glove while reminiscing over Woody Herman!

Ike