IMO, songs about trains and model trains can increase public consciousness about them which, in turn, can promote the hobby.
In fact, I had a recent experience that reinforced this belief. As I stated in another thread 2 or 3 weeks ago, I had attended an Open Mic and performed my model train song. Before my turn, the audience was half listening to another singer/guitarist doing a nice rendition of Brown Eyed Girl. When I got up there, I was expecting that the audience would not pay attention because I thought the subject of my song, model trains, would not interest them. The opposite happened. As soon as I began the chorus with maximum chutzpah, singing "I'm a master model railroader rollin' down the line," the audience was riveted, and their positive energy was palpable throughout the rest of the 3 and one half minute song. My wife, who gives me honest feedback, said everyone loved the song. She told me there was one family behind me that were in the process of leaving the restaurant during my performance that stopped and listened because they loved the song and wanted to hear the rest of it.
Although I have not performed there yet, there is a fantastic place in Beacon, NY that has an Open Mic every Wednesday night starting at 7 PM: The Towne Crier. They have excellent food, terrific small stage for Open Mic performers, it is beautifully decorated with murals and paintings to be a cafe/restaurant where there is music, and in the back of the restaurant they have a large space with a big stage and many tables where they can accommodate an audience of 300 people. Judy Collins has performed there.
Does anyone who is not too far away from Beacon, NY want to meet me at the Towne Crier on a Wednesday night to perform 1 or 2 songs about trains and/or model trains, or just be in the audience to hear me perform my model train song? If so, please reply here or send me an email, and we can set a date to meet there.
I realize there are not many songs about model trains, but there are many to choose from about trains. City of New Orleans (my favorite) and several done by Johnny Cash immediately come to mind. If you want to join me in performing my model train song at the Towne Crier, that would be awesome. This could be a very fun way to promote our hobby.
Arnold
