Tuesday, September 26th 2006
Do You Mind If We Talk About James?
On Saturday I left Boston for Toronto to see James Collins. As many of you know, James is the writer of my favorite song Spellbound by Sherrie Lea. Who would have thought on that rainy San Fransisco day that my little dance and Boy Wonder’s good sense would lead to nearly 100, 000 You Tube views and meeting James, who would in turn be a great ally and friend to us both.
James has his own album out called “Messenger.” The songs God’s Great Banana Skin and Going Nowhere In A Hurry are my favorites and coincidentally, Banana Skin is climbing the Canadian charts. You can thank good talent, a good song and fierce determination from James himself for the success of both of them.
Check out the video for James’ song Do You Mind If We Talk About Bill ?
Do You Mind If We Talk About Bill? was insprired by the true story of a Canadian pop singer, from the 70’s, who had a sex change. Some of the photgraphs on the wall in the video are of actress Nina Arsenault documenting herself after surgery and throughout her sex change. We were thrilled that Nina offered pictures of herself going through the process.
Spending three days with James has given me insight into not only what he does for himself, but other people. He is always on and ready to make everybody around him excited for the project at hand. Being the quiet, reserved guy that I am it was quite exhausted just watching him. You can tell James is passionate about his work and if somebody is working with him that he believes in, well his energy is contagious.
In my book he is the host with the most. He was attentive and respectful offering his time and resources in a non-threatening free form manner. He was there with out being too smothering. I admire that in somebody SO much. My space is very important and anybody who respects that gets 3 stars in my book.
Did you know that Toronto is home to the world’s tallest free standing structure and the world’s longest street? We visited the CN Tower on Sunday, but the outside deck was closed due to winds. We were able to enjoy the glass floor inside that looked all the way down to the bottom of the tower. Standing on the floor was quite trippy, it gave me that weird feeling in the base of my gut and left me feeling a little apprehensive. Watching twenty toddlers stomping all over it did not help much either. James took some coaxing to get him to sit on the floor, but eventually he did, losing his lunch shortly thereafter, just kidding.
As I sat in Toronto’s airport contemplating the weekend I realized that I would not have a real weekend to myself for several weeks. Not that I ever do as I usually work, but in this case I would be out of town… again and again. That means time to get in a little luxury after my journey even if it that translates into cleaning out my place in P’town. More on that soon.
Johnny, thanks for introducing me (and others) to James Collins. Do You Mind If We Talk About Bill is nice as is the clip.
Describing your performance in Spellbound as “my little dance” is an undestatement.
Do you have any plans to do another dance clip?
Dearest Aboro….Boywonder and I have noticed that you are very interested in the next installment of “my little dance.” Please understand that I am in Boston, BW is in LA and both of us have full time jobs. In addition to my job, I am developing a clothing line, I am the cook and upkeper of the house I live in…and I travel all the time for work…..o yeah…I have a website too that commands much attention. So thank you very very much for being so supportive; it means a great deal to both of us. There will be more little dances I promise, but for now I will leave you in suspense….
Yeah, I figured that was the reason. Part of me was hoping that you could belt out clips with minimum intrusion on the other important things in your life — like having a full time job. I certainly understand why that cannot be the case. So, it looks like I am going to have to wait and patiently wait I will. In any event, I wish you sucess and happiness in all that you do.
BTW, You did “two” dances and neither one of them was little.
Hey bud. Thanks so much for your understanding. To reward your patience I have created something new; it isn’t in a room nor is it in a studio in front of a green screen, it is somethimng totally random with a little planning……:)