Into The Night: Show Recap

Hey Soul Mates,
first of all. I'd like to thank each and everyone of the 200+ people who were in BB King's last night. You made the energy of the room crazay. We so thoroughly enjoyed entertaining all of you. Thanks for singing along and for your great response to our music, especially the new song we debuted. That's a wonderful stage to perform on and to look out at all of the faces. There are lots of pictures to go through and I'll be posting them over the course of the weekend. Great action shots and pictures of the beautiful Soul Mates.

I also want to thank Elle Grace, the booker, and her crew for making the night an event. And an extra-special thank you to DiMarko Chandler, the GM of BB King's. What a compliment to have the general manager of the venue come up on stage to give us an encore. That is a first in our experience. BB's is going to have us back (details to follow). They were pleased with us and our fans. You all are the best. You show true support for us (by singing and dancing) and the venues we play (by drinking and being gracious). Wow.

That said here's the set list from last night:
Fall Out
Sucka
Excommunication
Down By Love
U Had the $ (debut)
Everything My Heart Desires
A Talent For Loving
Hold On, I'm A-Comin'
Done Lost My Mind

Encore: Everyone's Ingenue

We had fun as you may have guessed. It was our first full-fledged concert. So many first-timers who enjoyed the show (one who dearly wanted my pink Barney's tie. Sorry, maybe the next one). People of all ages got into the act. There was the table full of "Showtime at the Apollo"-worthy hecklers, who wound up complimenting us. We had a gentleman ask for Doug's sticks (another first) and I saw his son air-drumming with them on the way out. His little brother's jaw dropped when I shook his hand to say "hello." This little boy replied "y'all were good." Wow. It's the best reward in life to know that we can bring good entertainment wherever we go.

We also have the final results of our Evite polls. You told us that as grand prizes go you want to "attend an RHS rehearsal" over "dinner with the group." The poll also revealed that of the Monkees, Duran Duran, Pink & Biz Markie: Duran Duran is your favorite "Guilty Pleasure." Apparently, more of you are Hungry Like the Wolf than Just A Friend!

This thing is really building steam. The next few shows will be crucial. If you are in LA, you should pick up a copy of this week's LA Weekly. Our picture is featured in the BB King's ad, with a photo of B.B., no less! We are going to make you all proud. Stick around, the ride is getting fun! Our next show, presented by Finlandia Vodka, is a FREE show at the GIG on Melrose, Thursday Sept. 1. Check RHS.com for the details.

Love, Power, Peace and pictures at 11.



p.s. special props to my longtime friends Dave (who drove in from Vegas. I'm rappin', Son!) and Jeanne (the oldest friend I have here in LA, who'd never seen me perform before).

Skeleton Key

Hey Soul Mates,
last night I went to the world premiere of Iain Softley's new film The Skeleton Key. We walked the red carpet which is always a gas. Saw star Kate Hudson in a hot, very low cut in the back dress. Keep your eyes peeled for me in the background of any photos.

I had fairly low expectations for the movie, as I'm not a big fan of horror films. Little did I know this is actually a piece of good old American Southern Gothic in all its glory: conflicted heroine, haunted mansion, tales of dementia & plenty of live oaks with Spanish moss. The acting from the 4 leads is fun, notably John Hurt (Elephant Man) as a near mute stroke victim Hudson is hired to care for and his turn-back-the-clock wife, Gena Rowlands (Gloria). This is not a blood and gore slasher film. This is a well-crafted "suspenser" that delves into folk magic or "hoodoo" & the power of persuasion. Not your typical ingredients for a Summer film. I was pleasantly surprised and shocked by Softley's building of tension, as Hudson's character delves deeper into the mystery of the house and the local color. I will give away none of the twisty plot, but suffice it to say, Softley does not sell out to popular taste. This movie climaxed they way it was supposed to and I can't wait to see it again. I was first to applaud when his title card came up at the end. On my highest recommendation for possibly my favorite movie of the season, go peep Skeleton Key.

After the picture, we went to the after-party. It was held in the Latin Quarter at Universal Studios. There were tarot readers, a brass Dixieland band and a nice jambalaya on the menu. So that was my evening. Tonight we have rehearsal. The set list for BB's has been chosen. Can't wait to reveal the mystery. We are going to have a fun show. There are several dear friends coming in from out of state for the gig. We may have a MAJOR publication present to review the show. So once again: be there as we all make history together. Also, be sure to check out tomorrow's LA WEEKLY and the BB King's ad.

Love, Power, Peace
and a little brick dust around the doorway.

p.s. I nearly forgot. Yesterday at the studio, I saw Andre 3000 from Outkast learning a tapdance routine for their new musical My Life In Idlewild. The number is Harlem Renaissance-era Outkast, with 'Dre on the lead vocal. The set is a huge art-deco ballroom with giant stair cases, silver & white decoration and lots of dancing girls decked out like Josephine Baker. Hey Ya!

p.p.s I placed a hot link to the Skeleton Key Site above. Try to see the movie before you check it out. Regardless there is lots of fun information there. And watch out for the 78 rpm records. They's good ones and mean spirited ones.