[feojack]

I've done it both ways, in my crazy youth we'd drink & smoke all night. It begins to wear on you after a few years. As Joe Walsh allegedly said, "When you burn the candle at both ends ,you get twice the light in half the time."
Baard wrote:

Also I used to be nervous before a gig but that has totally changed, to confidence, and excitement....maybe it´s because i´m gettin older. I take the whole thing a bit more easy....Whatever it is, gigging stone sober is more fun for me than beeing a little liquered up....
The downside, is that you notice all the silly drunk people......
Baard

I think we get more "professional" as time goes on and that makes it easier. I still get nervous at first, but after the first tune or two, everyone's locked into gear & starts cooking. I've been clean & sober for 10 years now & it's a gas to remember what key the tunes are in and making fewer "mistakes" both with the songs and the clientele. Drunks are fun to play for, though, I have to admit :D
Cheers, feo[/quote]