SUPPORT

I don't think there is anything greater and more moving than support.  I think I've changed my mind about the whole love is greatest.  Sometimes love is not enough.  There are clear signs of many of my friends divorcing and/or having difficulties in their marriages....women are bouncing like a mu'uh fucker.  So love...yeah...I get it.  But I think support is so major.  I'm excited to pieces that my BFF is moving to LA.  Just the fire I needed to motivate me.  Even the biggest cheerleader needs a cheerleader.  In fact....maybe more than others since we're always expected to be a cheerleader.

I love cheerleading.  I was a songster though.  You know, the black girls who danced better than they did high kicks or back flips?  Yeah.  Me. Connie Mockenhaupt, a fiery 50 something red head who wore leotards in memory of a former body shape and her tits to her chin, was our cheer coordinator.  She said my arms weren't straight enough to be a cheerleader.  I told her she was racist.  I dunno. I was probably wrong.  I'm not that coordinated.

Bottom line is....I'm gonna be producing and managing my ass off.  And I can't wait to get this party started.....what a way to start my birthday season off!

And it's a Wrap

The last day...the sunniest....the best show....I even got on my hands and knees for him to do Untitled yawl but they pulled the plug on us.  We were ROCKING!  Not a better way to end a run...no better than I know.  And we are smooth.  All of the wardrobe is together, the receipts are finished.  I've been in this hotel room all of 3 hours.  I've repacked, showered and had a cup of tea.  Lobby call is in 22 minutes and the first leg of my flight leaves in 3 hours.  yes...I am on my way home.  Gonna see the pup, the other pup and maybe fry some fish. I dunno.  I have a nail appointment at 5pm when I land.  I flicked off all of my Tiffany Blue gel polish.  Turns out...and this I forgot....the man don't like color finger nail polish.  And you'd think...eh he's singing on stage, he's playing the piano, he's strumming his guitar.  He ain't got time to worry about my colored nail polish...do he?  Rox told me though....funny.  So I changed it and fronted him about me changing it.

What else?  I dunno.  Too much child.  I have a filming fire under my ass now though.  I made trailers of the trip.  I planned a scavenger hunt for my boys birthday, i created a travel book.  I had a truly productive two weeks out here.  And now I'm headed home.

Can't wait til I land!

COLOGNE - SHOW 2

I was mad.
We were late.  Yes yes technical difficulties.  Hiring and firing.  Horrible hotels and moving whole groups ....taking 4 hours in total.  Misunderstandings with travel agents who's ass I'm forced to kiss.  Fucking Cologne sucked.  And so I took a nap.  DURING the show.  Like a pouting 8 year old.  Anyone who walked in the dressing room I just frowned, grumbled.  So passed out was I...until I heard a sound I rarely here....JK's falsetto "send it off, send a clueeeeeee....".  Tonights show was a regular show.  NO festival times.  No quick ins and outs.  Were they doing a full set?  I rolled over not impressed...still upset from the late sound check...but then.....the full harmonies of "Lady" woke me up and I had to go.  I truly had to go upstairs.  Wiped the eye boogers, ran to the side of the stage, and as if I'd never been asleep, partied with the background vocals - dance steps and all.  D put on a full show.  Everything we've all wanted to hear...including the Brown Sugar encore.  Praise Jesus!  I didn't even need drugs to get that high!  So happy that the power of music still has.....well, power.

NORTH SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL OFFICIAL - DAY 1

What can I say about Essence?  Yawl saw the reviews.  Fuck Essence.  I don't feel like digging up that dead old ass horse.

But tonight....we are in our element.  We have the PRIVILEGE to have Janelle Monae as our warm up music....we are getting HYPED in this dressing room!!!! I'm telling you...it's finna be a show!

But let's just talk about the stress of movement....for one moment.  No one is happy with a flight to Europe.  I usually write, or catch up on movies...I generally cry on every movie, but thankfully I turned those ones off before I got started.  It was harder than usual to leave this time.

I remember when the reigns got handed to me by the Roots former tour manager.  I came in as a happy-go-lucky assistant...we were on our way to Nancy, France...opening for Femi Kuti.  I was thrilled to be able to show off my French for my favorite group.  FINALLY...I was using all that I knew - psychology, music, french....what could be better?  I had Hubs bass on my back, Kamals guitar in hand, I was ready.

Then Toya showed up in flip flops and a gift bag.  This was pre 9/11 so she walked to the gate.  Gave Black Thought a gift.  Said her good byes and looked at me and said "I'm not going.  you got this."

Huh?  Mind you...I hadn't been on tour with the Roots solo ever.  I was a groupie...a "Band Aide" even.  I was a young girl with a Delta Buddy Pass.  I met them everywhere  - Elysee Montmarte in Paris, Grosse Freiheit in Hamburg, Ancienne Belgiqie in Brussels....I took trains, snuck on the back of buses, but nothing prepared me for actual tour management but my own instincts and my big mouth.

Amazingly enough, I'm a natural.  The power of a psych degree, the ability to speak with people, and enough berating to get anyone in shape...got me to where I am.  Some of the people I train say I'm super mean....I agree.  I got a lot of it from my now family who put a foot in my ass and straightened out the sculiosis in my spine....so it's true.  I give it out.  Like a scarred animal who knows the consequences of his actions.  My dog does it every time she sees my eyes and my lips pursed.  It's that type of consequential action needed to get on this tour management horse.  Logic goes out the window because you're dealing with people.  If we were selling cups this would be no problem.  We'd pick the color, the size and the material.  Would anyone talk back?  hell no....but PEOPLE?  Artists???

And I'd like to say that when they aren't that good, they're even better.  Geniuses got problems.  Why?  Cuz they spend all their days being geniuses.  This other stuff is just for shits and giggles.  Like...oh, time...eating, remembering birthdays, costs of any fucking thing....and the ones who are successful?  Well let's just say they have a better balance and a different motivation.

I don't know what's best....but I know I'm drawn to the crazy muthafuckas.

Tells ya  little bit more about me , huh?  Like you didn't know.