I've had a lot of great and bad things happening in my life as of late, but the consistent thing has always been my positive outlook and my great friends. Even when I've been on the road promoting Style X, I've never lost sight of either which has been incredibly important as various things have happened that would make less resillient people falter.
Yes, those seats were close...like Laker game celeb close!
Regardless, it’s been an amazing whirlwind last couple of months with a couple of trips to New York, Atlanta, Charlotte, Charleston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and now DC before heading back home to Austin then starting next month with a trek to Boston. I’m not done with my travels, but I’m pretty sure I already know the highlight. Why? The Grammys.
Two grand on a white tux from Paul Smith? Maybe if I had Kanye's money...
Two months ago, my good friend Terry invited me to the Grammys and from that moment on I had Feb. 13 marked on my calendar as the day I’d be in Heaven (figuratively speaking, of course). Why? The Rihanna.
It's grainy, but I still make out the unicorn...it's name is Rihanna.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about the music and the awards. Michael Jackson’s Thriller victories came on the eve of my first birthday and I think my Grammy love has lasted ever since. Why? The performances.
I'd be lying if I said music was the only thing that stood out on Grammy night. J.Lo's you-know-what comes to mind as well.
This past Sunday night was no different. I was blessed with near all-access rehearsal passes and was treated to even more intimate performances than the ones you saw on live TV by the likes of Barbra Streisand and her orchestra, Bob Dylan, Mumford & Sons, The Avett Brothers, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Drake and, yes, Rihanna. Even before the butterflies of being at The Grammys took effect on Sunday afternoon as Niraj (yeah, he was even luckier than me!) and I got ready for the big show, I was super amped. Why? The buzz.
Apparently music isn’t dead yet. Now my Grammy experience started with a great Grammy hip-hop showcase on Thursday night where everyone from Arrested Development and Naughty by Nature to DJ Jazzy Jeff and MC Lyte treated us to a history of the genre and Saturday night with The Roots' amazing and seemingly-endless Jam Session with special appearances by Asher Roth, Chaka Khan, Mars Volta and the E Street Band. But I have to admit that I wasn’t all that excited about a number of the performances heading into Grammy night. Lady GaGa, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry were just a few that didn’t get me that excited. But there was also Mick Jagger playing the show for the first time ever and Cee Lo performing with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jim Henson’s Muppets. Over the course of the night, with exceptional showings by Muse (anarchist and all) and the touching Aretha Franklin tribute led by Christina Aguilera and Florence Welch, I completely fell in love with where music is today and not just where music is in Austin. Why? The surprises.
Like Bruno Mars killing it as a singer, keyboardist and drummer during his set with B.o.B. and Janelle Monae. Like Gwyneth Paltrow looking like a Grammy vet like her bestie Beyonce. Like Esperanza Spaulding and Arcade Fire winning best new artist and best album, respectively. The night was full of amazing surprises that left me speechless. Did I forget to mention that I was sitting next to Jimmy Jam for most of the night and less than a few feet from J.Lo, Beyonce and Rihanna at various moments? On this particular night I had no choice but to feel like a million bucks. Why? The friends I got to share this with.
Camera phone doesn't quite capture the magic. But close enough.
Terry and Niraj were there for pretty much all of these moments and having people to remember these moments with is what life is all about. Well, except for that five-minute stretch when I was alone backstage and shook the hands of Cee Lo, John Legend, Mumford and Justin Bieber while ogling at Beyonce, Rihanna, Eva Longoria and Legend’s model chic. Damn I’m a lucky sonofa*****.
Why? Because there are people who paid their way and people who made their way. On Grammy night more than ever, I was proud to be one of the latter.
The closest I came to getting RiRi's attention (and phone number?)...
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