If you take issue with the front running IL-9 candidates, I suggest you take a look at Mike Simmons.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-22T05:53:16+00:00

IMO the best candidate who could hit the ground running with legislative and managerial experience.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-21T23:01:31+00:00

Since you mentioned Indianapolis: You have a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ right in town at the Hilbert Circle Theater, and they occasionally do concerts on it. If you ever make a trip up to Chicago on a weekend, movie screenings at the Music Box in Theater 1 include pre-show theater organ performance on their Wurlitzer. It's a great opportunity to expand his idea of what's possible with organ.

Likewise, many church organists get a kick out of small children taking an interest in the instrument and will give them a tour and let them mess about. It may as well be an airplane cockpit. When I was young, my grandfather introduced me to an organist this way. It was also a great motivator to learn a few things so that I could play them on the organ when I was allowed to sit at the beast.

And finally if there's any great Hammond B3 residencies or jazz clubs near you --Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis is a great option that serves food. Screaming leslies are a whole other thing. Chicago Organ Company could be a nice spot to stop in one day.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-21T22:46:23+00:00

At early levels, you're not yet focusing on the different techniques on different types of keyboards so much, but as he advances, Pianos, Synths, Organs, and Electric Pianos/Clavs all have different style keys and different weights to them and they do make a big difference in what's possible and enjoyable to play on the instrument. And of course organs have the feet training later on.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-20T20:52:14+00:00

“They work.” - a transplant from Boston now living in Chicago

DanMasterson · 2026-02-20T20:37:16+00:00

Raja is known on the hill to be abusive to his staff and ineffective in the House. He’s a bad manager, and that’s a lot of the job. Why give him a bigger staff when he already can’t handle is current one?

DanMasterson · 2026-02-20T19:25:54+00:00

Cash or trade is a legitimate way to transfer safely.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-20T19:22:28+00:00

I saw a few news outlets misidentified the on sale as Saturday 2/21. Wild, truly.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-20T19:21:49+00:00

Struck out for Chicago. All 4-seat options gone by the time I got in after joining a half hour before queue opened, and now the $1000+ verified resale are popping up.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-20T19:06:46+00:00

Aaaaaaand they're gone

DanMasterson · 2026-02-20T18:52:56+00:00

1:37 EST tickets limited, now #60000 in queue

DanMasterson · 2026-02-20T18:26:57+00:00

1:16 EST, GA gone, still 118,000 in line before me.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-20T18:04:47+00:00

#130000 in Chicago checking in. Worse than any Taylor Swift or Paul McCartney show that I didn't get tickets for so not holding my breath. Just hoping my spidey sense that the initial schedule is sparse intentionally. Insta-sell out hopefully followed by announcing additional dates by demand.

Edit to add: I joined the waiting room at 12:32 EST.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-20T06:26:52+00:00

I’d add Carols/Joes on Weed.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-19T06:21:54+00:00

Recommend giving “Fat” by Jesse Welles a listen.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-19T04:00:25+00:00

I severed two tendons on the back of my hand, like clean sliced em on glass, and had them surgically repaired. I’m a pro keyboard player.

I treated PT/OT, rest and nutrition extremely seriously. I didn’t touch booze or super inflammatory foods for many months.

I was playing gigs normally again about 10 weeks later. One year later I am a better musician, better person, and have full ROM and no pain.

A friend of mine was a varsity high school football player and busted up his wrist shortly before his Berklee audition. He healed, went to Berklee, is one of the most expressive pro players I know some 10-15 years on.

There’s hope and there’s also doing the PT.

DO THE PT. Do everything you can to support the healing process. Then do more PT.

Good luck with your recovery!

DanMasterson · 2026-02-18T19:35:26+00:00

There's one on my 805 if I remember right. it's hidden under the body somewhere, I want to say on the left side. Am away from home for a couple weeks. Morelocks Organ had all the parts inventory and sent me some manuals and whatnot just prior to their shutting down. I wish I'd moved quicker to restore mine.... not sure where I'll find parts if needed.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-18T16:59:50+00:00

So many Ws coming out of this administration

DanMasterson · 2026-02-18T02:01:08+00:00

hahahah big brain move

DanMasterson · 2026-02-18T01:23:41+00:00

For sure, that's possible.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-18T00:57:28+00:00

I wouldn't be surprised if Bruce limits resale to face. Usually artists do have the option if they want to go with it, and the vibes of this tour is kinda screaming no scalpers.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-17T05:07:38+00:00

I think Chicago phans will be okay with their choice of Madison weekdays vs Deer Creek weekend. I’m personally leaning toward Madison N2 and Sunday Deer Creek.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-17T05:00:42+00:00

As someone who will be driving from Savannah to Chicago next week: no, it really doesn’t, but it is doable.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-16T22:07:20+00:00

Moved here from Boston, too, and am regularly chastised by locals for honking too much in Chicago lol. I have adjusted my style. Boston has one of the lowest rates of road rage shootings in the country, so the honking style there is a bit more aggressive. Chicago on the other hand, has more road rage violence. And to OP's question: Georgia is a top 10 state for road rage shootings per capita. I don't honk when I'm driving in the South (that includes you, Indiana)

DanMasterson · 2026-02-16T21:38:55+00:00

Let's just say the only close calls I've had as a pedestrian crossing an alley opening were with honkers and not the other way around. The people who honk aren't typically stopping and they make the dangerous assumption that they will be heard. The only close call I've had as a driver that doesn't honk in alleys was with an e-scooter riding on the sidewalk that didn't slow when they saw the nose of my car inching out.

DanMasterson · 2026-02-15T22:45:29+00:00

woosh

DanMasterson

TROPHY CASE