Hi Brian,
just a thought- it would be nice to get some input on working with LIVE SOUND advice for different venues for the artists who don't have anyone running their sound for them.
Especially for those who are begining to play out.
I mean, you dont want to run off the stage every half hour to make sure the eq is ok after the room fills up, or the vocals arent too muddy, etc etc.. and you can ask the audience every so often how it sounds, but you'll get very interesting opinions that way...With all types of venues and every half hour or so the acoustics are changing with people in and out of the rooms,high or low ceilings,wood, glass, humidity ,etc etc. The reason being is that the sound is sooooo important.. I've seen literally hundreds of acts that people get up and leave cause it sounds either too loud or just plain doesnt enhance the performers in any way..infact it detracts from what could be a terrific performance.
I know this is probably a subject for the technical board,but I feel there is a wonderful mentor selection in especially the song writing area, but making sure your songs sound the best they can also involves knowing what they sound like live.

just a thought-hope you found your way out of the piles of cd's- cant believe that if you stacked all the cds you recieved for the awards it would be one of the tallest buildings in Indianapolis!! what on earth do your neighbors think when the trucks pull up!!LOL