I'd like to say a word on behalf of the "main" act performers. Having run a concert series for a long time, and having performed for awhile myself, I understand the need that some performers have for privacy. I have long-time, dear friends who I've booked for concerts, or who have visited me who have never stayed in my home. And I've never felt offended by it. They've felt the need to be by themselves before and after a concert. They may well want to sit in the kitchen and talk for hours before the retire to their own privacy, and they may be warm, sociable people. But, performing is draining. Carrying a whole evening by yourself, with just a guitar is something that singers like Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley would have found too intimidating. When you're up there on stage for an evening, you are the focus of every eye and ear in the house. That can really suck the strength out of you, even with the most enthusiastic, receptive audience. You need time to prepare for that level of emersion, and many performers need to be alone before they perform. It's not so much to "tune up" as to calm your heart and relax. Thank God that instruments need to be tuned! It gives a "reason" to be alone for awhile.

Most of the time, performers have driven a long distance, often in heavy traffic, on unfamiliar roads and street and haven't had a minute to relax by the time they get to their "gig." You need time to detoxify from the drive, and for many performers that means being alone. It's much the same after the performance. You need time to unwind, and not be the focus of everyone's attention. That may be the time when the host and hostess and audience most want to sit around and jam, but sometimes the performer just isn't up to it. Not even the most sociable person.

So, cut a little slack for performers. As someone once said, they drive for a living and stop to sing every once in awhile. It takes a lot out of you.

Sometimes folks just need to be quiet and unnoticed...

Jerry