My A57 is an upgrade to my old Minolta Maxum 5D that is going on 7 years... It is nice to be able to use the same lenses and flash (Sony bought Minolta shortly after I got my camera). My 5D is still working great but sometimes it has that first-frame-black issue. I also wanted to get a camera with video so I had been looking at the new SLT models for a while before I took the plunge.

Newman - Xmas wish
Great holiday melody! It must be fun to just compose like that. Thanks for sharing!

Ditto! I've enjoyed listening to everyone's performances this month, but I've been so busy, first preparing for my vocal recital and then my Youtube Christmas video for friends in family, I haven't had time to do more than listen.

Anyway here's said Youtube video. I previously posted the same song as an audio of my live recital performance. I didn't have time to work on the country trills (towards the very end) for the recital and I do them here. Also here I am playing and singing at the same time. (Note--I didn't have time to memorize or arrange something in time for Christmas, and I discovered it's a lot harder to read music and sing at the same time.) The balance between piano and voice could have been better. So, if you already heard it and aren't interested in seeing my hands or simultaneous voice and accompaniment, feel free to ignore this one.

Starr Keys - We've missed you. That's a nice little arrangement. As for "I discovered it's a lot harder to read music and sing at the same time" I'm mystified as to how people read those dots and translate them into their hands!

Merry Christmas everyone.

Still get a kick out of the old Peanuts holiday specials and music;

Christmas Time is Here

Merry Christmas and Happy holidays everyone!

Newman: I'm now splitting my time at piano with my time working on the vocals, hence the decreased activity here. But thanks for the kind words. They are much appreciated.

Elssa: Gorgeous rendition of one of my favs! I hear the Eddie Duchin influence and I love it!

Amaruk: The Yann Tiersen piece and the video are very nice. Thank you for the suggestion. I will try to buy one ipod holder.

Supertorpe: It seems you can play with eyes off.

Kenjazz: Thank you for your suggestion and encouragement.

Ellsa: Thank you for the Christmas Time is Here.

Thanks, Newman and Kenjazz. I enjoyed both your ideas of what a piano bar is. Will enjoy participating, too. Kenjazz, thanks too for explaining the difference between piano bar and recital.

I wish everyone a very safe and happy new year.

A lot to catch up on in this thread.
I got caught up in the Christmas rush.

Bill M, Newman, Amaruk, Supertorpe, Starrkeys, Elssa - I enjoyed the catching up.

I hope you all had a good Christmas and wish you a happy new year.