Web Logs
7/4/2005 - Fourth of July Weekend 2005
Good grief what a week! Not only did I have the stress of our first show on Wednesday, but this weekend is just out of control.
- Friday - Laura's Play and Party in Baltimore
- Saturday - Rehearsal Dinner at David's Wedding
- Sunday - Davids Actual Wedding
- Monday - Party at Scott's
And, of course, the band has another show to prep for this coming Friday. Ugh, what a schedule...
Obstacle Course: Baltimore
Trekking to Baltimore to see Laura's first play turned into an adventure itself when Mapquest provided direction that went thru a closed road. We were running late and I looked at the "ROAD CLOSED" sign and said to Will:
"It doesn't look that far, go around it. Our car is four-wheel-drive. We can make it."
And I was right -- barely. The road closed was HUGE!! We drove for EVER AND EVER past a closed train station, multiple construction zones, and over some very rough terrain. Finally we reemerged on the main road where I had to get out and move barriers so we could squeeze thru. Luckily no cops saw us and we arrived in time to see Laura's Play (it was good) and hear my guitarist's other band, Eleven, play.
Eleven on Stage
The Wedding Singer
The wedding rehearsal on Saturday was pretty unremarkable, but the wedding itself on Sunday was more interesting than I'd planned for. It was for a guy named David who's parents were close friends of my parents in college. I grew up knowing them as Aunt Michelle and Uncle Mike (in fact, I was named after Michelle), so even though I don't know David that well, he's always felt like a cousin.
Anyway, things were going well and we were all enjoying our first Jewish wedding when my mother comes up to me and says:
MOM: "Aunt Michelle is going to have you sing!"
ME: "WHAT???"
MOM: "Yes, I told her that you sing in a band and She's going to have you sing on stage with the wedding band!"
I looked over at the very tight, all-black soul band playing on stage. They were all top-notch players. WHAT IN BLOODY HELL WAS I GOING TO SING WITH THEM??
ME: "What am I supposed to sing? I don't know many covers, my band does originals!"
MOM: "Oh, just sing something appropriate"
Okay...
So I consult with the band leader for a few minutes and decide I 'll risk "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder -- its appropriate, unimpeachably good, and I knew most of the words. But when they call me up to sing, the leader shoves some lyrics in my face and says: "We're gonna start with Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison). Sing that, then the Stevie tune."
Okay...
Brown Eyed Girl is NOT a song I know well at all, but I jumped up there and did it. Truth to be told, I think I pulled both tunes off pretty well. Brown Eyed Girl had some trouble spots, largely because I didn't know the sections, but My Cherie went very well indeed. Even my dad seemed impressed. He, a man of no compliments, came up to me afterwards and said: "Pretty good work there -- for being the only white guy on the stage."
Thanks Dad.
I guess those pricey voice lessons are paying off.
The Bride and Groom being held aloft in chairs.
And I did it Myyyyyy Waaaaaay!
Okay, time to get ready for Scott's party...
