We became so adept at changing guitar strings when we broke one (yes, even when communing with Mary Jane) that it became a contest and we timed each other. The audience loved that - it didn't detract from the show - rather, it enhanced it. In fact, we made such a bit out of it that once when we were playing Reno, the audience was laying bets on the stage as to who would break the next one. Bottom line is, we are professionals and we are adept at our craft. We could do it in our sleep.
Which reminds me that once I did perform in my sleep. During my tenure with The Brothers Four we had long periods of down time, unlike The Kingston Trio, who were booked constantly. Anyway, during those down times I'd do solo gigs and later, duo gigs with Gary Ballard. I had a solo stint at the Belleview (WA) Holiday Inn lounge for months at a time. I was doing my one-man band show where I played guitar, banjo, harmonicas, foot bass and hi-hat cymbal while sitting on a stool. Monday nights were always slow - maybe 2 or 3 customers for the whole night. This one particular Monday I went to work after a long and tiring weekend. I remember starting a song and then waking up in the middle of it, but having no recollection of anything in between. It was only me and the bartender and when I asked him if he'd noticed anything weird about that last song I'd played he said - "No, sounded fine to me." So you see - we professionals can handle our job under any circumstances and always manage to fool the audience. It's all done with mirrors.
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