Empty Bag, Missing Cat
I am so glad we went public with the song. It felt like forever keeping it a secret! Secrets make me paranoid. Do you remember when I went to see the brilliant James Collins in Toronto? It seemed so obvious to me that I was going there to record a song I felt like a fool pretending it was just a social visit.
It was quite the experience, let me tell you. I had the same feeling when I did my first fashion show. I was really nervous, but the atmosphere created by James and The Boomtang Boys was really comforting. I kicked off my shoes and walked barefoot in the recording booth.
I had the headphones and everything. It was a padded room with a microphone that stood up to my chin. I was able to hear myself really clearly without the aid of the machine and that was sort of odd; I am not used to hearing myself over speakers at all.
This was my first musical adventure and I needed a little great deal of coaching from James to get the sound right. He is an amazing and patient teacher. The Boomtang Boys were also very good at easing my stress and telling just how to say the words. This is why I like to surround myself with people who know what they’re doing and do it well.
For those of you that haven’t followed along, this story has been long in the making. It started as many tales do, from humble beginnings. In this case from a rainy day in April when I was visiting a buddy in San Fransisco. Boy Wonder complained that I had been rather quiet and it would be good if I said something… ANYTHING to show that I was alive. The day before he told me about a song by Sherrie Lea called “Spellbound”, as I was walking down 21st Street I had to stop and count the goose bumps that were on my arm; this song was my new favorite.
That evening I set up my camera and I did this little dance to the song. I sent it out to BW and he was temporarily satisfied with my effort. On a lark, he put it up on You Tube. I had never heard of this site before and did not really care all that much. Soon thereafter I received an e-mail from James telling me how much he enjoyed watching the video. Sherrie also chimed in and it was so surreal to me. Talk about a community web site!
Sherrie invited me out to LA to meet up with her and the band Pandamonia during a press tour. James was also in LA on business so BW and I met with him for dinner and a great time.
James said he wanted to write a song for me. Not knowing James, but knowing LA, I gave this no salt assuming it was all talk. Then about two weeks later James called to say, “OK, we’re just about done, when you would like to come out?” And the rest, as they say, is history.
November 16th, 2006 at 6:25 PM
I think it’s safe to say your “secret” evaded everyone (myself apparently more than others)! After listening to the song I did not realize you were the artist. Later, Jerrod essentially confessed you were the man behind the music. It still did not register with developmentally challenged Robert. I assumed you were in the song somewhere, but failed to realize you were the star of the show! Then I finally got a clue! Once again, you delivered a stellar tune. Please keep up the good work and feel free to surprise us more often!