Anthem; Jeremy; dhagler -Thanks for the welcome.
Torch7-
I moved to Vegas for the sun and heat. Detroit was tooo atrocious! 30 days of sun/year!
Second-the layoffs and dismal economy at best. I kept getting laid off. I did not want my child to grow up in a war zone like I did. God is Great; my daughter is an honor student and a prima ballerina at 13!
The trade-off is that Vegas is great on entertainment-rotten on culture. As an artist and musician you don't have anywhere to go except Casinos and Clubs. I was blessed to be able to play in church. Most of those are snapped up by bassists who play on the Strip. The Casinos and clubs control all. For example, if I got a band together and wanted to play original music there wouldn't be a venue. Why? Because its not a cover band, a "look a like" band and its not part of some Casino show. My club days and "entertaining" are done. I play for the Glory of God. Period. Now, I'd like to put together a band that is a fusion/jazz/gospel sorta thing with all original music. Finding musicians in Vegas to do that?
I can find Contemporary Christian players. But they don't get Jazz. I can find rock players but they don't get any of it. I can find gospel players but they don't get the rock and can't improvise in a classic jazz sense (they don't know theory). I can find Jazz players but they only play standards. Its Vegas. God Save Us.
Even my daughter will have to leave when she gets out of school so that she can perform.
I need more culture and sun and heat. So, Austin looks better than L.A. or Arizona or New Mexico. Atlanta is a possibility but I'm getting on in years.
