I am an occasional performer. It is frightening sometimes to realize that a favorite song of mine (and of the audience) is something I have performed for 30 years.

I try to maintain a list of songs I know. Basically these are songs that I have performed long enough that I could do them without preperation.

As I have maintained this list, I find that songs do drop off because they have lost their interest for me. For example, one year I learned and performed several times John Gorka's "There's a stranger in my driver's seat." I was recently listening to a John Gorka tape and realized that I had not performed that song in several years. It just lost it's currency for me.

I keep these "old" songs on my list for reference, for instance if my car gets stolen I might revive the John Gorka song. And I add new songs as they get to the level that I want to perform them publicly. A number of songs I learn never get to that level. I like the song, but I cannot get it to "work" for me. Just knowing the words and the chords does not mean I "know" the song.

Since I perform so infrequently, I keep a list of my sets by date and venue. I try to bring new some songs to each venue that calls me back.

Rick, I believe that a repertoire of 2000 songs that you can call up on command is impressive. And Rick, are you laptopping it on tour? I mean how sick and addicted can you get?

As I read this, it is more rambling than usual (which is pretty bad). Hope it may in some way help you.

Roger in Baltimore