Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Otis Redding Tribute
Current mood:  relaxed

Yesterday I went to Athens Georgia to attend a tribute concert to celebrate Otis Redding!!!!!!!!!  It turns out that Mr. Redding recorded one of his first songs on the campus of UGA.  The auditorium was packed, and the performances were amazing. The artists performing included Randall Bramblett, T. Graham Brown, Jimmy Hall, John Berry and Bryan Howard.  Bruce Burch organized this awesome event.   I sat next to an older woman from Macon….  as the tribute went on, she kind of teared up.  She said that when she was a kid, the city would let Otis perform in the Macon Coliseum…..  she said that if there was enough room, she and her friends would get to go watch the show!!!!!  She said in her life,  there has never been a performer that she has seen, that came close to touching her heart like Otis.  As they played Otis’ songs, I realized I knew everyone of them….  With out realizing it before, I came to see the influence this special man has had on me!!!!!!

Later last night the same artists performed at The Melting Pot,  Accept they had an addition,  Mr. Redding’s original drummer….  He actually started singing the (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay song while he was playing the drums and it was true magic!!!!!!!  I mean pin drop magic!!!!!!  I think part of learning to be an incredible artist,  is by watching other artists.  I had to attend this event alone, and I was a little nervous, but a new woman asked if she could join me.  She was in her late 60’s or early 70’s.  I had a table for two, center stage, on the balcony directly in front of the musicians.  I told her I would love it if she joined me, and with in 2 minutes a flock of  her older friends surrounded me (About 7 actually).   I felt like God had sent his angels to surround me, so I could really relax and enjoy the evening.  Unfortunately, half way through the show they made the flock leave, but my original angel sat with me until the end drinking her sweet tea!!!!!!!!

The show just got better, and better, and then even more better.  I don’t think that was proper english, but I just can’t describe what I saw!!!!!!!   You’ve just never seen musicians sing like these fella’s did……… Jimmy Hall knocked me out flat….  And Randall always takes my breath away!!!!!
The thing that got me the most though, was that Mr. Redding only lived 26 years,  and died a little over 41 years ago, but can still bring people together of such diverse backgrounds, and age, and gender, etc…… 

I ended the night eating a GIANT peice of creme brulee cheesecake, smiling at the wonderful day, and beautiful people I met,  all because of this special man and his music.  Boy am I grateful for that experience!!

Thanks for checking in and I hope your week is filled with lots of goodness, sweet tea, cheesecake, angels, and incredible music!!!!!!!

Love,
The Lexers :0)

Currently listening:
Try A Little Tenderness
By Otis Redding