Monday, December 17, 2007

Winter Blues


We have survived our first big storm up state. Luckily I did not miss any gigs. I’m off to NYC to spend Christmas with my daughter Kellie and son-in-law Greg and grandson Graham Jackson . Cant wait to see him! Yup that's him! Our Little Viking! and my Daughter Kellie. I often take the train to New York. I Love the train! It's so relaxing and the ride along the Hudson is stunning .No gigs in NYC this trip. 1/22/2008 My trip to Brooklyn was wonderful. I so enjoyed the time spent with my grandson. It makes me sad to think I can only see him once in a while but I feel lucky to see him whenever I can. He and I had a ball this trip. As he grows we bond more and more. Kellie put the tree up on a table for this year so he couldn't grab at it. It worked out great. He really was to young yet to "get" the Christmas thing. Next year will be different I'm sure . Cant wait! What fun! Looking forward to their trip upstate to my house on the lake this summer! Happy New Year everyone !

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

The Gig Chronicles


Im often asked how I get most of my gigs. Well ,most of my work comes from concert and club owners that I have worked for before or have heard of me and wish to book a date. The rest of my work is about me calling and asking for a gig. Those that know me are very respectful and happy to talk with me but if they don't know me it can be a challenge and sometimes a bit degrading. For instance, last week I called a famous cub in New York hoping to book date. I have worked the room at least 20 times but the new young man booking the room did not remember me. That’s when I have to send them to my site or send a promo Pac and cd out to them and play phone tag for weeks on end.The Yin and Yang of Gigs . This fall I was out in CA. playing a GREAT Jazz festival called "The West Coast Jazz Party". (BTW they called me) It's a very hip premise.( Calling me !and the gig!) They hire all big names as solo acts and then form bands and play together. I sang with many big names it was a total gas! Terry Gibbs, Lew Matthews Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen Jeremy Pelt, Tamir Hendelman, Jay Leonhart, Clayton Cameron,Terry Gibbs Sextet featuring Ken Peplowski with Tom Ranier, Tony Monaco, Chuck Berghofer, Frank Capp, Chuck Redd. The list goes on. Butch Miles who played drums for the Count Basie band for years, was a big highlight for me. We really rocked the joint! It was the highlight of my year, big time! Plus I was the only Chic singer! After the gig, Ken Peplowski and his wife and I drove back to L.A. (Lovely People). We had a great talk about how difficult it is to go between being treated like royalty half the time and then having to beg for work somewhere else and schlepping equipment to gigs and being made to Pay 12 bucks for a glass of wine "No you dint just make money on me, did yu? It’s a real test of composure at times... Alas we do it because we love it. We live for the music and live to share it with you. Looking forwad to hearing from you. Nancy Kelly
To leave a comment, click the comment link below.