Full of gratitude

This post is partly connected to my last one about female singers. On Saturday night Mike and I went to the Red Clay Theater to see Dede Vogt, Caroline Aiken and Tomi & Trina (of Three5Human...and Stereo Popsicle). The women on that stage are three of the singers on my short list of 25. They always deliver. Their songs and voices make me smile and feel a kind of joy that only music can bring. During the show so many memories came flooding back to me. Things I hadn't thought about in years. Memories that I didn't know I had but I am so glad to have them now. 

About Dede: In the crazy world of the music business it can be hard to find people that are both talented and have a good heart. Dede is one of those rare people. During my years working with Uncle Mark I can't even count the number of times he'd say "Dede will know" or "I'll ask Dede". Uncle trusted her and that was unique, since he didn't trust easily. He loved many, but trusted few. Dede was loved and trusted. As a fan of hers, I know that I will always have a great time sitting in the audience and watching her play. Her songs are clever, funny and smart. Her heart shows in her songs. Her writing is honest and she is great at connecting with the crowd. This is why she is on my short list. 

About Caroline: She amazes me. Her songs always make me wish I had an ounce of songwriting talent. Caroline has a way of playing on stage that makes you feel like you are sitting in your living room getting a private concert. Her songs and performances are very personal. She opens up her soul and lets you in. I always learn something from Caroline. It may be something about the environment or the government but I leave her shows with a list of things to research so I can be a better person/citizen. One of my best music memories was a post-show moment in Columbus, GA. Mark opened a show for Caroline at the Loft. All of us were hanging out at Cliff and Toni's house and Caroline grabbed her guitar and started playing. Mark started to sing along. The only way to describe it is magic.

About Trina: I have been a fan of Trina's since the Stereo Popsicle days. If I could sing like her I would never be quiet. When I was on the road with Mark we would trade out control of the tape deck (yes, it was a tape deck!). One day I picked him up at his house in Decatur to head out to a gig. He handed me the tape for this trip. I looked at it and it had Trina's name on there 3 times. There weren't any song titles. It just said "DAMN". We hit the road and played those songs, stopping the tape over and over as we studied how she sang. Mark's vocal style was different than Trina's but they both sang from deep down and he heard something in her voice that he wanted to capture. We spent hours listening, studying and loving what we heard. I do think Mark became a better singer from those times when he put his stage persona to the side and took time to listen and learn from others. There were a few times on Saturday when Trina was working to find her voice again. It's been a while since she's been on stage. I just wish she could be in my car so many years ago and see Mark with his eyes closed, hand on his chest, singing along with her.

And then there's Tomi...He makes playing guitar look like it's so easy and effortless. It looks so natural to him, as if there is nothing else that he is meant to do. I love watching him play. He seems to have fun with every single note. Tomi has an impressive music resume, and I love that he is always appreciative of his audience. 

I also have to send a special thanks to Eddie Owen. He is a true gift to music fans and musicians.  There is no one else like him and I am lucky to know him.  And I can't forget Shalom Aberle. He is one of the best sound men I've ever encountered. Whenever he is at the board I know the sound will be pure.

Now all I have to do is figure out a way for Mike to get on stage with these great musicians someday. That would be a dream come true for this Fan Girl.