Although I performed in front of audiences of up to 2,000 people, as was the case in 1985 and 1986 on stage at Caesar's Boardwalk Regency Hotel & Casino.
Although I performed in front of audiences of up to 2,000 people, as was the case in 1985 and 1986 on stage at Caesar’s Boardwalk Regency Hotel & Casino and Harrah’s Hotel & Casino, I enjoyed being the “Master of Ceremonies” when I introduced 12 Real Estate Investment Experts, yet, I didn’t get the same enjoyment out of singing or playing music on a stage.
I can only guess I was not as confident at playing music as I was at announcing. I was very nervous when I first performed in front of a large (1,000 +) audience at Irvington High School in 1960. I forgot that I had a life saver in my mouth when I first got onto the stage! When I tried to swallow it, it got caught in my throat!! Somehow, the sound that came out was EXACTLY like Del Shannon on his hit, “Runaway”.
Just plain LUCK, I would say.
I had an unusual experience when riding with my mother on a local bus when I was about five or six years old. She and I were exchanging small talk when I gentleman came over and handed my mother a quarter. He complimented me for my refined, clear speech, which, to him, was so impressive, he rewarded me with the money.
My mother explained to me what had happened and I knew, at that time, that I was born with a gift which was handed down to me by my mother’s refined communications skills. She always spoke clearly and distinctly and her speech patterns must have rubbed off on me.
Billy Joel had a number of reasons to be extremely confident of his playing abilities. As far as his total number of performances, he must have performed a thousand times more than I by the time he reached the age of 21 years.
As an accomplished pianist, I am sure he got to the point he never looked down at the piano as he played. I was never at that point, whether in the studio, or on stage. Although I have reason to believe Billy and I had much in common, we also had totally different lives.