We all have an mp3 player now. We’re all hooked up to music libraries that can pull any song in a heartbeat. Everyone seems to be plugged into their own little worlds, and when it comes to getting together with people, maybe even just one, the muzak that now fills a place is now the top 40 from five years ago. Try to recall what a cafe was with that guitar player strumming softly in the corner. The pianist that was able to play more than a few bars without the assistance of a usb flash drive jammed into it’s respective slot. You can think of a few places that still have that live act, but at one point, that was the norm.

The resort we’re at has had live entertainment each night in the form of a multi-lingual bassist, turned pianist/comedian. Ignazio is a true entertainer that has been able to roll with the punches typical of being an evening jester. He started out with a band, grew his hair out, played locally, on cruise ships and in Dubai. He recognized early on that his days as a bassist were numbered as he always required accompaniment on stage in order to be employed. A bit of dabbling on the piano during the off hours landed him a permanent hotel gig, sans band, due to his style, voice and attitude. Great for him, but a sign of the times with the cost of a band vs. a single entertainer being much more cost effective for the establishment.

He went on to tell us that Sorrento used to be full of music. You walk down the streets and live music would be erupting from the doorways of each establishment. A mish-mash of notes that kept promenading pedestrians upbeat with faces pressed against the glass. He says that for some reason, the music died out.

It did. From a live standpoint, it’s all money. Money never seems to have much in the way of ambience though. As hoteliers and restauranteurs focus more on the bottom line, and less on the atmosphere, customers and those passing by are slowly lowering their expectations on what a true night out is. Canned music from satellite, and now a computer, can be amped up to fill a place with non-radio ad filled music for hours on end. No breaks in the music, no need to set aside space for equipment setup which decreases occupancy of the drinking clientele, no separate dollars to pay out. His concern is that the position that he has come to know as a career may soon die. Not just for him, but for any passionate child that picks up that guitar or sax with the hopes of one day being just like him.

The key is to diversify. Rather than become a specialist in a single field, or instrument, a few different skills are required to survive in today’s world. Ignazio started singing and playing piano, and even he admits that his skills are much better on bass, but it is the diversification that keeps him employed. Add a little experience and the knowledge of a few languages and that puts him at the top of the list of available performers in the area. A lesson we could all take to heart, with diversification of our skill sets to not be stuck in a particular place or job. Maybe make better use of our time that isn’t defined around mindless television programming.

Alright, lesson learned here. Live music & entertainment needs further encouragement and support. Flick on the radio instead of that iPod to find out who is playing where. And the next time you are considering hiring a DJ, make it a musician instead…maybe even a band, cause they need to eat too.