Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Back in the Saddle Again
Wow, it's 9:32 p.m. on a Wednesday night and my children still aren't in bed. We just got home from Mel's birthday party. It was so nice. They served fried chicken and waffles, and fries. For those of you not from LA, this is a popular "Hollywood" dish served at the famous "Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles". Of course there was a birthday cake and vanilla ice cream also. It was about 45 degrees outside and there was a dozen or so kids playing basketball until they were soaked with sweat. To protect the identity of friends and family I will use aliases in my blog. Mel's mom is considered a major recording artist and she has a home that befits her title. The basketball court on the estate is pretty much regulation size and it sits on a plateau, elevated above and behind the home. 45 degrees is COLD for Los Angeles. Don't laugh, we know we're spoiled out here, however, speaking as a native Californian (yes we do exist) this is chilly willy weather. I hope none of the kids catch a cold. Unusually, there was a lot of conversation about music tonight. Someone shared that Michelle, a member of the music group Destiny's Child, was fired today. They said she was performing live on BET with the group and fell down. She purportedly blamed Tina Knowles, mother of Beyonce, for loosening the heel on her shoe and intentionally sabotaging her. Apparently, Beyonce and Kelly didn't attempt to help their bandmate to her feet, they waited and allowed an assistant to do it. Wow. How cold is that? I sat silent listening to all of this in awe. They said Beyonce's father and manager of the group, Matthew Knowles, fired her. This sounds like history repeating itself. Now I know for some of you, you're wondering how does this mother of four/retired career-woman even know anything about this youthful stuff? Well, the answer is I am an eternal youth....in a good way. I keep on top of information from many industries because it interests me. Music is a passion of mine, always has been. While we were chatting and listening to each other, the music du jour was Snoop Dogg's new album. Some jazzy/old school/adult sounding cuts on this cd. Made me want to purchase it. One of the songs had a mature sounding male singer on it...reminiscent of Charlie Wilson or the other brother Wilson from The Gap Band. It made me sad for a moment because I recently found out that an old friend of mine, Mr. Hubey Heard, former keyboard player for the Gap Band and recent protege of Billy Preston, was murdered while visiting his hometown in Ohio and trying to break up a fight. Shot and killed he was. What a waste. Hubey was extremely talented. An African-American man who grew up in Ohio and playing the piano in church. He was so talented he received a scholarship to the Ohio Conservatory of Music, then went on to tour with a myriad of musical artists throughout the 70's and 80's. He had his bouts with drugs and alcohol, like many people do, but Hubey was something special. I met him in the late 80's at our church. He was our Minister of Music and I was a lead singer in the choir, as well as the MC in church on Sundays. He could break out in a tune by Bach or Brahms, then get funky R & B on you, then slip into something like a Cuban "son" song, then on to The Beatles. So, so, very talented. His smile would light up a darkened room. As one of the lead singers in church, I was always asked to sing at weddings, receptions, and funerals. Hubey always accompanied me on the piano or the organ. It never took him long to learn a tune. I could hum a few bars and he'd be on it! I hadn't seen him in several years when I heard the news this November. I'm told Bishop Jones announced Hubey's death at the end of service one Sunday. I hope it was a quick and painless death. He wasn't perfect, and we didn't always get along, but I have such fond memories of him. Hubey - you will not be forgotten. I like to follow the career of Jamie Foxx because he, like Hubey, grew up playing piano in church, then received a scholarship to conservatory. He was an excellent choice for the new movie "Ray". I've seen Mr. Foxx do riffs on the piano just like Hubey used to. I enjoy the company of talented folks. Especially talented AND intelligent folks. Now that's a rare combo, but when they cross your path, they are instantly recognizable. Feels good for my second blog entry. Oh, say a prayer for my twin sister, she had surgery on Monday. I'll tell you about it later. Until next time.
- posted by Suzanne @ 9:31 PM
