So, How's Your Audience?

[Frank Parish]

Ray and Al,
Not too man years ago we were watched and judged by the applause and the dancers. It would be a sin to let the dancers escape back to their seats because it was so hard to get them back because they already had their partner. Dancers drink more. Todays bands don't realize the people will dance to those instrumentals as much or more than the vocal tunes.

[Rich Weiss]

The last year and a half has been a refreshing change, playing with James Intveld, in L.A. His audience, which is pretty large, is very polite and very appreciative. And the best part is that they don't line dance. They swing dance, not country-swing, but the other kind. It's beautiful to watch from the bandstand.

[Rusty Hurse]

Jay at least your audience dont complaine about your tone or how loud you play and they appreciate what you do . You must have played some really nice ballads for them look at thos BIG BROWN EYES.

[Michael Johnstone]

The place I mostly play these days -Viva Fresh,is located down in Burbank right next to the equestrian center and so,give or take a few local drunks,you have a lot of middle age people with horses(money)and who like WESTERN music,mexican food and all things southwest and cowboy.It's right down Riverside Drive a mile or so from the famous 40s ballroom The Riverside Rancho,where Spade Cooley played and also real near the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage where we also play occasionally.In short,the band's following is comprised of people who want to sit down and hear classic West Coast Country.The band leader Cody Bryant is a great entertainer,a great vocalist and multi-instrumentalist with an endless repitoire of great material from classic Bakersfield,Western Swing to Bluegrass and all points in between.When I pull off the Buena Vista offramp on my way to the gig and look up and see Joaquin Murphey's gravesite up on the hill at Forest Lawn,I really feel like I'm in the right place at this time in my life - and damn lucky. -MJ-