Big Doings July 4th

Happy July 4th Weekend Folks!!! It’s a great time for getting together and enjoying Summer. And we have a humdinger of a gig this weekend. We have been asked to perform at the July 4th Program being held at the U.S. Ambassador to Canada’s residence in Ottawa, Ontario. Ambassador Jacobson is from Chicago and was appointed to this post by President Obama last year. The ambassador is throwing a little 4th of July party for about 4000 guests – including Foreign Ambassadors to Canada and other fancy folks from Ottawa. It is sponsored in part by the State of Illinois and a whole slew of other corporate and government entities. They are flying us in, putting us up and driving us around. We are going to play the best and hardest that we can for the occasion. Talk about a big deal… feeling a little pressure… like WHAT THE HELL DO I WEAR??!! It’s outdoors, it’s gonna be hot. Should I wear something USA red, white & blue? Should I sparkle (sequins and the like)?

This is a huge honor. I am representing Chicago, Illinois and the US! No pressure really… And I have to sing at the Drake till 12:30AM tonight and then catch an early flight out in the morning. Eeek! But that’s showbiz right? I saw the documentary: “Joan Rivers, A Piece of Work” and that broad was jetting all over the place doing shows, interviews and book signings, returning to her hotel at 3:30AM and getting up at 6:30AM. She’s 75 years old! What do I have to complain about?

Oh yeah, I just got an invitation to attend a dinner (for fifty people) at the Ambassador’s residence the night before the party and they might want me to sing there as well. Oh dear, I better bring my fake book and song lyrics. They have a jazz combo playing during cocktails. Perhaps I will sing with them. And once again the big question: WHAT DO I WEAR?

Like I said, big doings. I hope it all goes well. I better sign off and get ready for the Drake tonight.