MerlinSuderman
Insert a VST instrument- to test use one that can be PLAYED in the GUI like SI bass or a Drum kit. - Huh?  I can assign a TTS patch number to my MIDI track.  Is that what you mean?  My MIDI track is set to Channel 1, with patch 32 (Acoustic Bass).  I don't see where this is much of a factor, since nothing is getting recorded.

The way TTS-1 decides which MIDI instructions to apply to each of the instruments it emulates is by MIDI channel, and follows the General MIDI (GM) guidelines. GM was created so that games designers, for example, could use MIDI to play anu music in their games and be reasonably sure it would sound similar on all systems. Or at least that the bass MIDI wouldn’t end up playing a flute.

By default, GM sets channel 1 to control the “piano” sound. Try setting the patch to be “piano” and see if that works.

Synths that can output multiple voices (usually referred to as “multi-timbral”) generally accept input from several MIDI channels then split the channels so each controls a single voice. This can actually make them more complicated to use because you have to make sure that the MIDI channel you use corresponds to the voice/sound you want.

I strongly suggest you work through the tutorial on playing software synths.

I seriously doubt you need to reinstall anything. It sounds to me like either your MIDI routing is set incorrectly or your audio routing is - or both.

This is definitely not an issue with TTS.  TTS auditions properly.  The problem popped up after I started working with VST's, but I've isolated them from the layout and still no recording.  I have attempted recording with the digital keyboard as the only input/output device.  I've tried recording with the keyboard as input and the Microsoft default midi (GS or whatever that's called) and still no recording.

In the track views when I go to playback, there is supposed to be a graphic representatio n of the recording.  There is nothing.  Sonar is simply not recording anything under any possible scenario for recording.

I will be occupied until tonight, so I won't have a chance to test any suggestions for at least 6 PM Central USA time.

I am reinstalling everything, although I have not uninstalled anything yet.

I have had this happen before. 
I changed tracks and it recorded on the new track and was able to subsequently record on the previously unrecordable track.
No idea why it happened.
About a decade ago.