BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB STORY (CONT'D)
After the media party, we went down to the stage, and I check to make sure everyone was there. The band was in a good mood, and it was finally time to PERFORM!
Carolyn Axel began the opening remarks and I was anxious for them to end so we could start playing. To my amazement, she asked me over the mic to come out, and she presented me a community service award, after which I was given a Congressional Award from the House of Representatives. Both of those events were very unexpected, and I was floored. Well, if you are going to get surprised, what great things to have happen eh. :)

So......

We kicked off the show with "Uh Huh" from the "Joyful Noyz" CD and the band sounded really great. We followed with music by Alphonso Johnson, and Dwight Sills. Al is a great composer as well as a great bass player, and his straight ahead tune was a high point in the show. I love straight ahead. Dwight did music from his new CD including his hit remake of "Dock on the Bay."
The audience's favorite point of the first half of the show was Greg Vail playing Europa, for which he got a standing ovation. I love doing that tune with him, he brings something fresh to the arrangement every time.

The second part of the show featured vocalist Vann Johnson who did five tunes from her new CD "Messages." She was well received.

Our closing act was Ronnie Laws. It was getting late in the night, and I was having to watch the clock because of union regulations for the venue. I brought Ronnie out and we did some cool music from his "Brotherhood" CD, which is my all time favorite CD of his.
It was a treat to have Ronnie's son Jamon join us for the last tune "Old Days, Old Ways", which is a huge radio hit in the country right now.

How quickly the show flew by! It was hard to believe that two hours of music would require three months of preparation. 
The next thing I knew, we were out front in the auditorium signing autographs and it was great to see so many friends and fans come by to support us and the cause.
I'm looking forward to next year already.
 

Rob Mullins