Responding to Larry Kellogg's letter of yesterday.  I agree that a piano
playing the same disc hour after hour, night in night out, would be
boring.  I also agree that a live person at the keyboard is better.
However, if the pianist only had a repertoire of 18-20 songs like the
disc, he would be boring too.

A 5-disc changer is not that expensive, or better yet a Pioneer changer
that will hold over 100 discs.  A computer 'Juke Box' on hard drive would
give you almost unlimited selections, or if you want to spend money get a
real CD jukebox.

Matching the setting with the music will have everything to do with the
success of the instrument.  I live in cowboy country where you 'gotta
have a fiddle in the band'.  The finest reproducing piano in the world
would only be a 'target' in the local joint.

If you have customers that come in on a regular basis (as in a neighbor-
hood lounge or cafe) I would mix it up with a night for different music,
20's, big band, show tunes, all ragtime, easy listening or whatever fits
the mood of the business.

I caught this thread with Marty Roenigk's wanted posting.  Even though
he advertised for something cheap,  I expect since he has a collectable
hotel he will want a piano that a least looks collectable.  Maybe a nice
Duo-Art or Ampico with one of the new tracker bar players like Larry
Broadmoore's.

Jon Guy
Arnett OK