We arrived home from Seattle on the 1st of August, ending our amazing 10-day Alaskan Cruise adventure with a five-hour "red eye" flight.
I was virtually running from touchdown with just one week to go to the Jim Brickman Summer Music Fest, August 7th! Along with a number of guests, including CNN’s Robin Meade, Michael Cavanaugh, star of Billy Joel’s Broadway musical, “Movin Out”, and Jeff Timmons of “98 Degrees” fame, Jim and I took turns promoting the Cleveland-area show, on radio and television.
Midweek, however, we did something special. A percentage of the big concert’s ticket sales was to be donated to The Children’s Miracle Network, which is affiliated with Cleveland’s University Hospital. So, in between our radio and TV plugs, Jim and I went to visit the hospital’s impressive facility (where Jim and I were born, by the way…many years ago!), and deliver a preview performance there. We set up in an area where patients, visitors and staff could watch from two different levels. Our audience couldn’t have been more appreciative! It was a very humbling experience and we hoped we would do especially well for CMN!
On the day of the concert the weather was sunny and the thermometer registered a perfect 80 degrees ! I arrived at Classic Park stadium, home to the single-A league Lake County Captains, at noon, for our sound check. There was to be no game that day, but a great summer music fest (and an Ohio-born artists’ homecoming!) instead! The first person I encountered was Jim, followed by Jeff Timmons, whom I hadn’t seen since he toured with us over five years ago. It was just like old times. Born and raised in Canton, OH, Jeff now resides in LA. He is such a doll, so sweet and so fun! I then ran into pianist and former Clevelander Tom Ameen, who was to perform second on the bill, following Cleveland’s G-Force. But more about the Gendrcs family known as G-Force later! I then met Robin Meade, who shared a dressing room with me. A TV journalist with a powerful singing voice, she recently recorded a song with Jim, called ‘Welcome Home” which will be on the airwaves very soon. Then Michael Cavanaugh arrived. I hadn’t seen him since our jingle days together, roughly 20 years ago! He’s darling and so good. Then Tye Herndon and Collin Raye "checked in" and the cast was complete. As always, it was great seeing them. I have sung with Collin before and it’s consistently such a treat! Tye, whom I’ve met several times, has an absolutely beautiful voice too and is a great guy.
After everyone went through sound check, it was time for our “welcome” meet & greet. It was a thrill to see so many familiar faces and new ones, too, from the Cleveland area, of course, but also from Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis, Chicago, Florida, Oklahoma City, Texas…wow! All of the artists were seated at a long table, with me sandwiched between Tye and Michael Cavanaugh. We greeted everyone as they entered the stadium, for a group signing of CD’s and posters.
Then it was 4 pm and The G-Force Revue opened the show. The Gendrics are an amazing young musical family: three girls aged 9 to 12, a younger boy and their father. Their mother is in charge of the fifth sibling, a baby brother, as well as costumes, make-up and moral support. Lead singer, 12-year-old Emily, her sisters Hannah and Olivia, on bass and drums, Dad on guitar and the little guy on percussion, rocked and rolled and were a big hit! Pianist Tom Ameen followed. He played beautifully, gracefully bringing the first act to a close.
During the interval, a sampling of recorded music by the participating artists kept the crowd in good vibe. Jeff Timmons launched the second act, sounding great with titles from his new CD. He, of course, charmed the gals, walking out into the audience to serenade them. Then Tye Herndon, accompanied by two guitarists, took to the stage. He has fabulous delivery, and a gorgeous voice. I was next up with a set all my own. I sang songs from my “Cover Girl” and “Close To Me” CD’s. The sun burned high in the sky and was hotter than I had expected, but the audience was super cool…simply terrific! After my stint, I went to sign CD’s on the concourse, as did all of the artists. I was able to listen to Collin from there, who was next on the bill. He was fabulous, as always!
After my signing session, I joined my family in the owner’s loge. From that vantage point, I was able to enjoy the talented Robin Meade, and then Michael Cavanaugh, who performed Billy Joel songs and a couple of originals. He was fantastic and so was his incredible band. Last, but not least, came Jim’s set. He opened with a few solo piano numbers, and then brought up Jeff, Tye and Robin for several duets. Next, I joined him for a couple of songs, before Collin came up to share “The Gift” duet with me. We ended the fest with “Peace”, all of the artists joining us on stage for the final choruses. It was such a fun day and the crowd loved us! It was a different kind of show that I hope we will do again!
My hardworking, on-stage summer now behind me, I was more than ready for our annual gathering at our island lake house, the following week-end. The weather was beautiful and time with our friends was just what I needed. The guys golfed. The gals swam….and talked and shopped and walked. And talked!
The following week was set aside for preparing for our youngest’s return to college as a sophomore. We squeezed in doctor and dental appointments, a much-needed haircut, shopped for clothes, shoes and items for his dorm. It was fun just running all over the city with him. The night before we drove him back to college, we celebrated his departure with a fantastic family dinner that included my nephew, Ryan, who was in town from Princeton.
The next morning we packed the car and headed south. We unloaded on arrival and helped him set up his new dorm room. We stayed the night and regrouped in the morning, attended church, had a lovely breakfast, shopped for textbooks and said our good byes. It was sad leaving him, but knowing that he already has a year under his belt and has matured over the summer, I left him with an easier feeling. Of course, when we got home, those old empty-nester emotions came back to tug at my heartstrings. Some things never change!
But the last week of the month has been the perfect remedy. We have returned to the lake in anticipation of Labor Day, with my brother, mother, sister and brother-in-law, their son and his fiancée in tow. In about a week, the young couple will be embarking on a carefully planned, year-long trip to see the world first hand. We all wish them safe and fascinating travels and are looking forward to their wedding in October 2011, upon their return. The weather has been spectacular and we are having a wonderful time together.
When I get back, I’ll begin recording my new Christmas CD, which should keep me quite busy throughout September – a time of fresh starts for our children, it feels good to be sharing in that energy, don’t you agree?
On a sad note, my lifelong friend, Bud (you know, the one with two amazing little boys whom I always spend time with when I’m in LA), lost his dear mother August 30. He and his family had had a lovely visit with her only the day before, which I hope will be a comfort to them in time. They can be sure her heart was full of their love as it came to a sudden stop. She was 79 and such fun. I’ll miss her.
I’ll be back next month…happy September to all.
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