Feb 7, 2010
Day 3 Part 1
10:46 am
There is a bittersweet taste in my mouth today. We are leaving Joe’s compound this afternoon headed south for better weather and to play some music in Louisville, KY. I’m so grateful for how he took us under his wing and made us all feel like part of the family even though only Jason is a blood relative. That is probably the best part of tour: the love shown by family and friends across the country. Whether it was sharing a meal with Danny’s sister and her family in Las Vegas or visiting Milk’s Grandma outside of Des Moines, the people that we come in contact with on a daily basis really make it all well worth it. As Cousin Joe began setting up for his Super Bowl party by slicing bell peppers and arranging his vegetable platter, I was just opening my eyes and peeking out the window, only to be blinded by the glare of the fresh powder.
Lionel Richie sang “Easy like Sunday Morning” and I rolled out of bed with an ear to ear smile and a song in my heart. After two consecutive night’s sleep were interupted by nightmares, I was happy to just wake up and not be drenched in sweat. Maybe it was the Long Johns I’ve been living in day and night on this tour, but I’ve never dreamt such sad things. One dream was about my GF’s girlfriend’s boyfriend trying to make a move on my girl and the other had something to do with rival rappers transferring to my high school and trying to pick fights and battle me on the daily. This is war and all’s fair in love and war, even engaging in a battle of the subconscious.
Feb 8, 2010
Day 3 Part 2
2:33 am
Performing on Super Bowl Sunday is something that every musician dreams of. The hype, the ad campaigns, the cheerleaders, and the beloved Halftime Show. Now, it’s one thing if you’re The Who, and you get the honor of playing in front of millions and millions of people. It’s another thing if you’re an opening act forced to begin your set at the same time as The Who. Happy Chichester stepped up to the challenge and knocked it out the park. At times, the people cheering at the bar and shouting at the television set overpowered the crowds roaring response to Happy’s set. Technical difficulties aside, his beat-boxing, harmonica playing, guitar-strumming set was once again the perfect compliment. And Happy gave us a proper introduction, “Kenan Bell and his trio up next. If you’re a guy, he’ll bust your balls and if you’re a girl he’ll make you throw your hands up in the air like you just don’t care.”
We got the benefit of playing immediately after the final whistle, and the crowd began to fill-in during our first few songs and the room was full midway through the set. A young man that didn’t look old enough to be in the venue was front and center, hyping me up yelling things at us like, “Yeah bring it… do that [expletive] again.” Then he said something like, “Yeah boy” but not in a Flava Flav type way, and I quickly put him in check like, “Watch it with that “boy” stuff… I know where we are.” The remarks got a few laughs and we continued working our way through our set list. By the time we played “Like This” the Headliner’s Ballroom had transformed itself into a dance club as the concert goers swayed side to side to the beat. It reminded me of corn stalks in the wind. Needless to say, it was a proud moment in my performing career. I truly feel like an MC now.
RJD2 made a mistake and said the wrong city name, but he covered his tracks in such a way even a bloodhound would have had trouble trying to locate the error. I didn’t even know he made it until I noticed he came clean on his Twitter. The brother is a professional and definitely knows what he’s doing. He’s so nice technically, I’m not sure if his fans are even aware of what he’s doing. I have grown mad respect for him and his camp and have learned a lot just by being a fly on the wall. Its funny I quit teaching to become a student.
Nice Life.
Good Night and Good Day,
KAB
RJD2's Decks. Photo by Kenan Bell.
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