I was down in Birdland at Cast Party again last Monday night. This time I sang “If I Can’t Sell It” and I rocked the house. The audience was poppin’ fresh. I just did my thing and rocked the joint. At one point I was trying to get the already enthused crowd to scream, and so I said:
I WANT YOU TO SCREAM!
AAARHH!!!
I WANT YOU TO SCREAM LIKE THE GOVERNMENT’S GONNA GIVE YOU 700 BILLION DOLLARS!!
The crowd screamed their heads off!!
I felt so satisfied afterwards. Each time I sing these songs in New York it’s as though it’s for the first time. There is always a great chance that the audience consists, in part, of people in the industry (who do not know me) and because I have honed my act so well in Chicago, I am — dare I say it — ready for Broadway!! It is very exciting and scarey. There were a few people who remembered me from December. That was very nice. I had three friends with me ( BFF / soul mate) Carla,
Patrick (college friend) and his partner Patrick.
It was a sensible cheering squad team for me.
I met a bunch more people in the industry – New York is fabulous that way. And I got an offer to perform in a Singers Showcase any Wednesday I can get me bones back in town.
Cast Party is a pro open mic that happens every Monday in Midtown Manhatten at the famed Birdland. Yep, that Birdland. It is hosted by singer- comic- actor- dancer- impresario and exuberant Jim Caruso . (read up to get the skinny on how I got to know of him in December’s blogs) He has developed this night for over six years into what he calls: “a place to see some of the best singer – performers in the world and… other people.” And it is usually star studded to boot!
I don’t know Jim well, but he has been very kind to me. From the start he sensed I was good singer and entertainer and called me up early in the night. ( a much appreciated show of respect for a newbie on the scene) He is very funny and evil (love that in anyone) and a great performer. He also happens to be a dancer/singer in Liza’s show on Broadway as well as in her touring act.
me & Jim Caruso backstage after Liza Minnelli’s show “Live@the Palace”
There is always a nice crop of professionals there: stars from screen & stage as well as popular NYC cabaret performers and comic writers who also have a lot of musical talent. (ie writers from Seinfeld and the Larry David Show proved to be better than respectable singers, and of course, hilarious songwriters)
A fantastic male singer named Clint Holmes (from Vegas) performed that night and blew us all away. He was so powerful. He sang a couple tunes from a one man show that he is developing and hoping to mount on Broadway. And trust me he is “Broadway ready.” Uber Composer Bill Fayne played piano and Clint sang and broke our hearts. Whew!!! It was very exciting.
clint holmes & on keys: bill fayne
Then his little blonde wife got up there and that little Miss Thing could blow too!! Never judge a book by its cover and never be a hater!! Cause Kelley Clinton was actually a blues belter. It was a wonderful surprise! Show business, no business like it, no business at all!
Then there are the regulars such as the six foot tall Joan Crowe who is the diva that invited me to participate in a singers showcase she is starting at the Iguana on March 4th called “Hump Night at the Iguana.” This chick is all over it. Just google “Hump Night at the Iguana!” there will be at least a page of data on it. She videos herself when she sings at Cast Party and then podcasts it on her web site later. Very clever.
And so I am gonna go for it. I just have to pick the week to go back and sing at Birdland on Monday and then The Iquana on Wednesday. I am at the very beginning of this New York journey and Carla suggests (and I agree) that I need to go the same week of every month so that eventually folks will know when to look for me in New York. And you know I’m dragging my peeps from the Armani flagship Store to one of my performances!
Anybody got any show biz connections in New York? I will tell ’em to come hear me sing while I am there. I love saying that!!
Here we go!
Wow, great post! Sounds like another great trip… I love your idea of going to NY once a month, consistently, to get a regular following built up.
You are on your way! Woo Hoo!
I love the pictures, too. May I request that you post some of you on stage, in action? Also, are you thinking of posting video of yourself, too? I would love that.
You know I was thinking that I have no photos of me performing on stage in NYC. OOPS! I am a bit camera shy these days… the weight does it I’m afraid. But I’m working on that (the loving myself as I am, as well as the getting back in shape part too)
Keep it coming! I love these stories about NY!!! I see big things happening here for you!
I hope so. And it’s fun getting to NYC so much!
Keep taking pictures of yourself, even if you feel self-conscious about your weight, for 2 reasons:
1. No matter what size you are, you are a beautiful sexy woman, & as the cliche goes, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it!”
2. As you get more healthy & fit, you’ll be able to see the change easier by comparing pictures, later.
If you’re doing it healthy, the changes will probably be slow, & you may not be able to see it, because you’re looking at yourself with critical eyes all the time, & it’s easy to get discouraged. Looking at old pics will help you with perspective.
Remember it takes just as long to come off as it did to come on, & “slow & steady wins the race”.
Boy, I’m just full of cliche today!
yeah, I know. and I’ve done he weight loss thing twice, and slowly. It is my struggle, my battle. I have old pics and new ones permanently embedded on my facebook page….OY!!
Thanks for the words of encouragement. I’ve been battling this thing for over twenty years. sounds like a blog post…