Tuesday Hobbies: The neglected hobby

I've actually been singing since I was about 6... and performing in an acting troupe as young as 4. I suppose I did at one point or another humored the idea of being a Broadway actress... I played Annie on the record player at night or the tape recording of Fiddler on the Roof that Daddy made for me from the Topol movie while falling asleep. Daddy also made tireless recordings of other musical programs I loved... Fraggle Rock (I can hear my gdchild cooing in the background as I once did), Sound of Music, The Muppet Show, etc. I also took acting classes, voice lessons, joined church and school choirs, and performed in summer programs as well as middle school and high school plays, recitals, and musicals.

This is not to brag... simply to illustrate how I grew up...

So, when people asked me this weekend how it felt to sing in front of Joyce's guests at her wedding, if I was nervous or scared, I didn't know what to say. When I say, "Not really," it's not because I'm confident or hot snot... it's just what I've always done. I'm more nervous in front of some audiences than others, but I don't think I've had butterflies since fourth grade... not true, shaky, jitters about performing in front of people.

I received many compliments this weekend... people were very kind and gracious. I was told to go on American Idol (not happening people... unless someone's bringing back the crooners of the 50s and 60s, I don't see this working out very well), asked if I had a cd, and one truly kind woman gave me her email asking me to let her know the next time I'm performing.

Which I really don't do anymore other than the occasional wedding request. In the past several years, I've sung at Joyce's wedding, my parents' renewal, my own wedding, a church service or two, and Anya's wedding. It's a joy and a hobby of mine I've truly allowed to fall by the wayside. I usually have a number of handy excuses... I don't know any piano players who would gig with me... I'm not that good... I have more practical things on which I should focus... but it really is a wonderful outlet for emotion that I no longer explore save in car driving to Newport News or in the shower.

I sang at the Roostertail in Detroit. I won't mention the specific band who allowed me to perform with them, but it was a kick to sing with a whole band. I've sung once with a four piece band and that was quite an experience... this was slightly more enhanced and very exciting.

(from detroit.metromix.com)

Some of the true greats have performed there... Peggy Lee, the Harris Brothers, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, etc... I'm not one of these people. I guess if I was nervous about one thing, it was walking the boards of truly amazing artists. I couldn't hear anything the way the speakers were arranged, but it was both humbling and exhilarating to be on that stage with the waves and the fountains to my back offering my own rendition of Mack the Knife. I blended the lyrics and styles of Bobby Darin, Deana Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra...

My greatest influences, my heroes, include Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, and Andrea Marcovicci.

Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia (my birthplace as well) April 25, 1917. Her father and mother split up shortly after her birth (like mine) and she ended up closer to her "step-father" (also like me). I love to tell people these sorts of details... mostly to hear myself say it because it gives me hope for myself. I don't particularly seek out fame, but I would like to maybe find a way to perform more often. Ella has it all anyway... I could bring up her fight against discrimination and the honors she eventually earned, but she dazzles me most with her incredible voice... the way she sounds is like no other...

I'm also rather enamored with Dean Martin. Aside from being disgustingly charming, he was never trying to be more than who he was. He had a handsome voice... he was not as technically beautifully as his childhood pal Frank, but he didn't need to be. I don't want to sound like the gushing of Greg Garrison, but Dean has a sweetness about him and seems so very genuine. He appreciates people more than himself or the illusion of being famous. You can see it when he performs with others that he's spending time with that performer rather than sucking up to a camera. I'd love to learn more about how to hold myself as honestly on a stage as Dean...

Among the living legends, one of my major influences is the intensity of Andrea Marcovicci. She, like Dean, is not technically perfect and has so few true notes in her... but you can't possibly care because the sound of her soul is clear as a bell and more moving than most sounds I've ever heard. She paints a picture, a feeling, and evokes a full scene rather than producing pretty notes. She's an amazing storyteller with sound... and research. She makes a point to know about composers, eras of music, details of the lives of performers... and it shows in her interpretations of great songs. She has introduced me to the most gorgeous love song I've ever heard (and aren't there enough of those already?)... I wish I had told her that the one time I had a chance to meet her rather than just standing there, staring at this hero, and crying... She was gracious and kind though patting my arm and not asking what was wrong with me.

I'm not these people. I'm never going to be. But it might be fun to explore what it would be like to be more of this part of me... if I dared to try.

(images of artists from www.ilovethatsong.com, farm4.static.flickr.com, www.downtownexpress.com)