I was surprised to see Banjer's statement: "Many times I have been at some social function and have been asked if I would like a drink. When I say yes and then ask if they have a soft drink or non-alcoholic beverage I'm either ignored, looked down their nose at or in some other manner made to feel that I just commited a cardinal sin."

I don't drink either, but I haven't gotten any BS about it since first year college. We must be in different sections of Western society.


Wesley said: "Will you be more inclined in the future to remind patrons in a bar situation to be careful about drinking and driving ? What responsibility do we have as performers to talk about this on stage ?"

Interesting question. I'm planning my career in such a way to avoid bar singing. This is mostly because of the smoke, and secondarily because of a lack of desire to sing Candle in the Wind to people ignoring me. But another reason is the idea that the musician's job is to help the bar sell as many drinks as possible - I would have some ethical issues with this role.

Marion