I Am A Winner...

There is no theme to this blog; however, I am a winner. I flew in from Minnesota last night. Dan picked me up, and they lost my instrument. Air Tran lost my instrument. Then the woman who was in charge of lost baggage claims got extra angry at me because I lost my airline ticket with the baggage claim number on it.....this was only confusing for several reasons but only one worth mentioning. I am the customer and the customer is always right. Whether I come in with 3 heads, a golden ticket, or no baggage claim ticket....I am not the one who lost my instrument. Air Tran did....collectively. I was steaming until I saw the gentleman who had helped me before...who had, before, seemed mostly indifferent and tired...he found my instrument, and all was well with the world again.

I do have some interesting news. So when we recorded Advancement (the last EP I put out)...my extremely talented friend and vocal mentor Jason Eskridge was given vocal production responsibilities (side note: I did not give him due credit in the liner notes, and I'm ashamed). We had decided to put a "choir" on most of the tracks or, rather, to stack a bunch of vocals on top of each other. Anyways, he calls me and says " Check it. I'm going to call my homegirl Melinda to double these tracks with me." He may have said it like that...not sure...that's the way I'll re-create it though. So he called this Melinda. I came in to Jason's character-ridden basement studio and heard her do her thing. She sang for real. She put sensibilities on my tape that I didn't deserve. I should have asked her for a receipt. So, the session ended. Advancement was sent through post production with 7 months of elbow grease, and I didn't see much of anybody from those sessions...including Melinda. Fast forward. 3 days ago Jason calls me to check in. We rap. He says " Have you seen this season's American Idol?"....I say "no, why?"....(note: I don't watch much TV, but I really dig in when I do. Like the little boy who never had candy...when he got it....he knew how to enjoy)...He says " Melinda is on this season, and she is killing it".....Melinda Doolittle...couldn't believe it. Hopefully, this is all I'll say about knowing her...but probably not. If I hear anyone remotely even mention American Idol....it's going to take loads for me not to say "hey, how bout Melinda Doolittle? yeah....it's crazy...she uhh sang on my last record...he..wild eh?"...
Right on Melinda. I knew you when. If you do, in fact, watch American Idol...cast your votes for Melinda....I haven't seen the show yet, but surely...she's the best.

I made a small step yesterday....I bought Pearl Jam's greatest hits...and I bought nice slacks from the Gap (smaller step than the preceding)...anyhow..that's what's on the minds in the A.M....

M.C.D.