Million Dollar Quartet & Me: Oh What a Night!

I performed with The Million Dollar Quartet (MDQ) again last night. It was a wondrous experience again – even better than the last time I performed with them in May. I was very nervous the first time I sang with the show.. I was just plain scared. I was afraid that I would screw up the song lyrics, didn’t know what to wear, I felt fat – the whole insecurity payload. I got over it by the time I started singing the Ruth Brown tune and that tune allowed me to clown a little bit and have fun.

But this time I was not afraid. I knew what to expect. I knew that besides being a great show, everyone involved with this production is kind, enthusiastic and gracious – the cast, the crew – even the producer is wonderful. And being asked back was an honor for me. I had a different mindset this time. Last time, I just wanted to do a great job and not screw up. This time I was completely comfortable with the tune, “Sweet Home Chicago” and because it was Blues I knew I had the room to really perform. I didn’t want to just sing and perform well – I was out for the kill. I wanted to slay ’em (the audience).

I decided to let it all hang out. I was not gonna start singing until that audience was right where I wanted them. I burst onto that stage with both barrels blazing and a white feather boa. I ran from stage right to stage left demanding that they holler!
C’mon! Make some noise! Louder! I can’t hear you!

And the boys were right there with me.
Follow my lead because tonight we’re going to the Promised Land! Mama’s on fire!

I made the audience sing back to me.
“back to that same ole place…”

Sweet Home Chicago!

I commanded: LOUDER!!

SWEET HOME CHICAGO!

I shimmied, I shook, I waved that boa, I squatted, hiked up my dress and kicked my legs and when I finished givin’ it to ’em the entire audience, simultaneously, in one giant rush, jumped to their feet and cheered.

I got a standing ovation.

It was thee most wonderful gift I have ever received. It was humbling. It was amazing. I am weeping as I write this.

I got a standing ovation.

It was an absolute triumph. And then the most wonderful thing occurred. I went outside into the lobby – I was mobbed by folks offering congratulations and an outpouring of love and appreciation. And then I noticed a large group of kids about 12-13 years old standing around in the lobby. They were part of a travel group who came to see the show They surrounded me and showered me (an old 49 year old broad) with love. This was a whole different generation raised on hip-hop and pop music digging old school rock and roll, the Blues and me.

Oh! Whatta night!

I have never been more grateful in my life then I was at that moment. No, that’s not true. I think I am even more grateful right now. I am trying not to make a big deal of it. But it happened. And I can not deny the the impact it has made on me. Right now I feel like anything is possible. Me and The Million Dollar Quartet – a match made in Heaven!

Go see the The Million Dollar Quartet – Chicago. They’re making magic over there.

If you can, please check out the tony Award winning MDQ on Broadway in New York.

Note: So, when I came home from my wonderful night I got an email from an acquaintance who was at the show. He said: “You were great but Sweet Home isn’t my favorite song. I’ll have to come see you [somewhere] where I can really hear you sing…”

!!!!!

I was like: “Dude! I got a STANDING OVATION! What the fuck?!”

Some folks just gotta piss on your parade! But no worries. He didn’t ruin my bliss.