I appreciate those tips about the facial muscles and the music stand.

Now I have something else to pass on. Long ago, People Magazine had an article called "Throat Doctor to the Country Western Stars." They interviewed a specialist who gets emergency calls from c/w stars whose voices have crashed from overuse and poor technique (surprise, surprise!)

His first item of advice to the poor stars is to avoid the things that dry up the throat - coffee, chocolate and alcohol.

I followed his advice one year when a Christmas concert was coming up, and found it helpful. Right after the concert I went out and celebrated by having the only thing that combines all three verboten items - a Black Russian.