[Harp-L] Drinking vs. Playing

["J.JONES" <jjones@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,
      I was a drunk for about 8 years.  I quit
playing harp because of it.  But when I gave up drinking, I started playing harp again.  That made me happy enough to 
never touch alcohol again.  I haven't had a drink is 20 years and don't miss it, but most of the people in my band drink a lot.
Some can hold it and seem to play well enough.  However, anyone who drinks alcohol has a problem, even if they say they can 'control' it.  So, at times it seems people come to drink, not play.  
    I know, as other posters have mentioned, that coke and crank are deadly and hurt playing skills, but I'm not so sure about other substances because
some are not as powerful as the two mentioned above.  I know one thing: I play better than the other people in my band because I don't drink.  Some drinkers may think they play better and 'need' alcohol to loosen up, but drinking is an illness, not a social lubricant.

Best,

Jeff Jones