Feedback...

I did the gig on December 17th - the evening of the first big dump of snow in the South of England. So I was a little nervous about the 85 mile journey home afterwards.

The first set went really well. They loved the interaction. They loved the spot prizes for the trivia quiz items - especially the "lavish meal for two" (which was a tin of sausages and beans). They did a good job on singing on It's My Party and were suitably willing on the pantomime-style "And now the left side... I think the right side can sing louder than that" palaver. The left side/right side alternate words (as per I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue) worked pretty well, too. Nelly the Elephant was great... Starting with Winter Wonderland worked well.

...the second set was more difficult. They'd had a bit more to drink by then, and I had a little trouble getting their focus back. So it was more like damage limitation. I didn't even attempt Liberty Bell which was to have featured volunteer kazoo players.

Here's the curve-ball. Also known as "know your audience". I'd put the set together on the basis of a shared knowledge of British culture: as in Liberty Bell - the Monty Python theme. However due to the weather many of the British-based punters didn't turn up and there was a high proportion of "off-shore", non-British punters, over on short-term contracts (and therefore staying in nearby hotels and not subject to the weather-related travel difficulties). So the usual banker "Mrs Robinson" just totally failed to connect. The DJ got it right when he put on some Banghra music, though!

Anyway, good fun - especially the first set. There's a promise of a return gig sometime. It's not going to be a new career option, but I feel I've learnt a new skill if opportunities come up.

And as for the journey home: excellent. Nearly. I'd kept ahead of the worst of the snow until I was seven miles from home. Those last seven miles took two hours...

...but I've banked (and spent) the cheque.

Thanks for all your help, advice, suggestion etc.

--
Hamish