I play live on a regular basis. Playing live is what's most gratifying; it's what it's all about.

While I often play in restaurants and night clubs, it's very cool to play concerts where you have the full attention of the audience. Then you have a real chance to connect based soley on the quality of your performance.

The internet is rapidly democratizing the music industry. It's giving artists more control over the promotion and distributon of their music and putting them in direct contact with their audience, which can only be a good thing.

It's also helping local musicians connect more directly with local audiences and venues. It gives people a chance to find out a little something about a musician before making a hiring decision. That's always a good thing, because it helps facilitate engagements that are a good fit for the venue, the musician and the audience.

... and get rich and famous and mess up my whole life? Naaaaaa.....

Every piece of music a musician ever enjoyed is influential. That's what makes the evolution of music so fascinating... it's a product of this ever expanding collection of influences.