Well, dear readers, I must write these here notes in a hurry for I must be up very early in the morning to be on my way to our first session at Capitol Records and color me excited. So, let me just say that yesterday was kind of an extraordinary day. I got about nine hours of sleep. That was extraordinary. Then I had to go to a meeting and the meeting went better than I could have ever hoped for and a handshake deal was made. I can’t really say anything about it, other than it will hopefully result in a brand new and exciting project for 2015 right into 2016. I’ve been trying for years to make this happen and it appears I have finally been successful. There’s some fundraising to be done, including a Kickstarter campaign, but all that will be figured out in the next couple of months. I left the meeting with very high hopes.
I then went and had some lunch – a cup of chicken soup and some chicken tenders, all great. Then I came home and rested the voice box. Around four-thirty, I moseyed on over to the home of the birthday party thing. We ran the numbers, got the sound right, and then just chatted whilst the guests arrived. There were quite a few people in attendance, and the birthday boy had set up a lot of chairs around the pool all facing his patio, which was set up like a little stage. Finally the little soiree began and the birthday boy did a rather long introductory speech, then the conductor of the GSPO Symphony Orchestra said a little something, and then the birthday boy introduced the singer and then Tom Griep at the piano. In one of those perfect moments he said that Tom Griep had a lot of training and that in one of the Star Trek movies he’d played a Klingon musician. He then introduced me and I immediately said, “Before we start I want to clear up two misperceptions here – one, Tom Griep didn’t play a Klingon musician, he IS a Klingon musician, and second, he’s had no training whatsoever.” Both lines got a huge laugh and we were off and running. I love when little unscripted gifts like that happen. The patter got really nice laughs, the singer did a fine job, my one song went very well, and the whole thing moved right along. I think the fifty or so people in attendance had a really good time.
I hung out only a little while, then came directly home. Then our very own Mr. Nick Redman came by and we had a lovelier than lovely chat – I hadn’t seen him in a few weeks. We talked of this and that, of that and this, and of cabbages and kings. After that, I had a telephonic conversation and that went very well and a little of the drama from earlier in the week has been solved in a friendly way.
Today, I shall be up very early, I’ll do my morning ablutions, and then I shall be on my way to Capitol Records for our first session. I may try to post something on the lunch break, but you can be sure I will have a full report. Directly after we wrap, Lanny and I will go to the post-wedding reception of Jason Graae and his ever-lovin’ Glen Fretwell. I’ll have a full report on that, too.
Tomorrow we have our second session – it starts with the full band, but then as the day goes on the band gets smaller. I believe the strings will be with us for all but two of the numbers. Directly after the session I join the Staitmans for the Hollywood Bowl concert. Monday we have our first Kritzerland rehearsal – a little longer than usual given our bigger cast. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are Sandy’s final vocals, but I also have some meetings and meals to do. Thursday is our second Kritzerland rehearsal, Friday I will attempt to actually rest for a bit, then Saturday is our stumble-through and Sunday is the show.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, have our first recording session, and then I must attend a post-wedding reception. Today’s topic of discussion: What was or is the most beautiful wedding you’ve ever attended and why was it so special (outside of your own wedding, should you be married)? Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, after which Capitol Records here we come.