Never fly at my place, we don't typically get over 50 avg age.

That's too bad Lonnie, but then you only play in one place now a days and don't move around too much. You're around 50 yourself aren't you, does that mean you will be the senior playing to the youngsters? In a few more years you will be able to get your senior discount, right? I accept the fact I'm old and don't feel bad about it. I know we live in a culture that worships youth but look at the info commercials they are for food processors, reverse mortgages, diet and exercise programs and equipment, and step into bath tubs. The reason for this is everybody knows the largest single group are the baby boomers. They are the egg going through the snake that will eventually over stress both Medicare and Social Security. I don't like contests, but Earl is on the right track by getting seniors interested in his show. They have the most time on their hands and the most disposable income. Most hosts are baby boomers themselves, so it makes sense to cater to this group, this and private parties and weddings is where the money is, follow the money.

8) Not to mention some of the best singers I had technically speaking were older. I had one man in his 80's that used to compete in barber shop quartet contests. He really knew quite a bit about controlling one's voice to sing more difficult songs. I also had a senior that used to do back up singing in the movies for male stars that had less than stellar singing voices, they called him the king of dub. So there are quite a few talented and gifted senior vocalists.

Eight years, and still going strong is short term? Really?

I guess those SRO crowds year after year are just figments of my imagination.

Darn! And here I thought I was doing something right.

8) Sorry I couldn't let the contests do work assertions go by unchallenged. To a certain extent they do work short term, sort of like a sugar high. They generate interest, they bring in new singers, increase venue revenues, and encourage ringers that try to steal the contest at the very end. The after contest blues then set in, some long time patrons feel cheated and hurt and stop coming to your shows. Few singers are objective enough to be honest about their true singing abilities. The judges can be manipulated by the competitors. How many times does the hot babe with the average voice sway the male judges? There is also the ever sentimental favorite the kid singer, or the young teenager. With a 50 or over contest this might not be a problem, but some contestants will try and get and edge if they can, it is only human nature.

The bottom line especially in a singing contest it's all subjective and not all can agree on who turned in the best performance. Even on American Idol some good singers have a bad night. In a three week contest a singer would have to nail every song no mean feat. I have always discouraged such contests, because it under mines what I try to build at my shows, a feeling of acceptance for all no matter what their singing skill level happens to be. That is what karaoke is sharing not competition, just to say you are King or Queen of the mic for one night. Remember after the contest you still have all the other karaoke show nights with the patrons that competed. I even refuse to judge such contests since I don't want to give the impression of supporting some patrons at the expense of others.

8) Sorry Lonnie I just don't buy you have done contests with no negative impact for 20 years. Just like you find it hard to believe I have used my U-Best HD players commercially for 9 years with no serious operational problems.