I Hugged Everybody

Oh my goodness, WHAT A FANTASTIC NIGHT. I am not kidding. This was the best gig I've had yet in New York. It was the best paying and the best audience. I have to admit something. I was a bit depressed on my way over. I'd had a migraine earlier in the day, and the usual doubt was looming. Every single show I ever do, I have the usual voices that come up that say, WHY BOTHER and WHO ARE YOU KIDDING. Last night was no different, but it had an added weight of depression. I came into the city alone, bothered by some teenage boys who wanted me to listen to their cellphone messages (I declined politely). Then I walked over to Avenue A and went into the Sidewlak cafe, where Julz A., the accordian rapper, was just about to hit the stage. I sat down and opened my journal and to my UTTER ANNOYANCE, felt IMMEDIATELY BETTER. Sometimes when my depressive moods get so easily fixed, it's kind of annoying because I think, WHAT THE HECK was that all about? Just a second ago, I was having was felt like a MOMENT OF SERIOUS DOUBT, and now I'm FINE? Oh, PUHLEEZ.

Graham came in on Julz A.'s second song and was immediately TRANSFIXED. It made me feel even happier, because I had come home last night and felt so utterly inept at describing the array of talents that I had witnessed--now Graham was actually SEEING IT for himself. Later he said, "Julz A. ROCKED ME!" Then later disclosed THREE of Julz A.'s promo cards. I think Graham has serious in-like feelings for his unruly "Squeeze-Rock" stylings.

Joe, the sound guy, TOTALLY RULED. He was an excellent MC, and made sure I was very well taken care of. When you walk up on stage with a glass of water and the MC/Soundman pulls out a barstool for you to use as a water table, YOU FEEL THE LOVE VERY MUCH INDEED.

Friends from work came and sat in the front row. There was a surprising amount of audience as I stepped on stage. Two guys proceeded to sit in the front row and SCREAM OVER MY SONGS. I had to break my rule AGAIN and address them. It wasn't just talking loudly, it was literally SHOUTING/SCREAMING. My talking to them didn't amount to much. They seemed to understand me and nodded and took it in until I started playing again, then they commenced with SCREAMING THEIR CONVERSATION. Finally, the waitress--the totally KICK ASS, HOT, TOUGH WAITRESS--threw them out! Once again, I felt the LOVE.

After that, it was all gravy. Since I couldn't see anything but a sea of blackness with floating candles, I was so surprised to hear the CHEERS and the LOUD APPLAUSE from all sides of the room. Some guy yelled out: PLAY IT, BABY! I responded: You BET I WILL!

I played my brand new song (the paint is till wet on this one). I thought I bombed it horribly, but then people CHEERED again! AND I EVEN GOT A REQUEST. As I said from the stage, when somebody requests ANY OF YOUR SONGS, you want to BOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY and say YES, YOU GOT IT. ANYTHING for you! Because it means that somebody out there GIVES A HOOT. In such a world, where there is doubt and often enough dead silence on the other end, this is PURE GOLD.

Afterwards I got to meet people who are totally COOL (Hi Dennis!) and even PERFECT STRANGERS came up to me. Musicians came up to me! Audience members for OTHER ARTISTS came up to me! What a RELIEF and a PLEASURE. Joe said from the sounbooth, PLEASE BOOK HERE ANYTIME. I will, Joe! THANK YOU! I hugged EVERYBODY. It was that kind of night.