Big Jim,

I performed 25 - 30 nights a month for over 40 years. I have made more money playing music than I have everything else in my life combined. I would play regularly if there was a venue in which to do so. Here in the States...not everywhere, but in many areas...venues for live music other than rock are few and far between. I live in the St. Louis, Missouri area...about 2.4 million folks total in the metro area...I can count on one hand the number of venues that have live music in the genres I perform.

My wife and I were having a general philoshophical discussion the other day. She asked me what I thought was most missing in my life. I told her unquestionably it was performing live. I have performed for anywhere from a dozen folks to over 5,000 in the audience. The thrill is the same for either audience.

It certainly isn't a matter of stage fright...it simply a matter of finding a stage.

Al