People ask me all the time "Where is home for you"? I usually say it's wherever "I am". Although I was born in Arizona, I grew up in SoCal aka Southern California. And as I prepare for my journey back to Cali this week, I can't help but think how excited I am to go home.......(clicking my heels together)
Ahhhhhhh, there's no place like home....The Pasadena Mall. Roscoe's. The Palladium. Riding the RTD to school. Eliot Jr High. First official/unofficial double date with "the twins". The Shack (on Central North of Slauson- best burger), The Rose Parade. The Greek Theater. Did I mention Roscoe's?(Sunset & Gower --Ran into so many people at that location. I remember running into Common there on my birthday one year). Capital Records Building (S/o to Rappin Is Fundamental) Maverick's Flat....... We met Aries Spears there the year he appeared in Jerry Maguire, before he was on MAD TV......Imperial Jr High. Children of The World. Fox Hills Mall. Magic Mountain. World on Wheels. Skate Express. Venice Beach... Soooo many great memories.
I remember the first day we moved to Cali. It was like I stepped into a whole new world. I mean, after all, Arizona didn't have a single r&b/soul radio station, let alone Soul Train. I saw Soul Train for the very first time when we moved there! Imagine the look on my young face to see all the outfits and dancing. Oh and the music. Yeah. The music. To see people dancing to the songs that my Mom had in her collection was like finally seeing myself reflected on TV for the first time. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate my eclectic taste in music by being surrounded by classic rock. But to see these people, my people, groovin' to music with SOUL.....there was nothing like it.
Back in the day, my girls (S/o to Simpli R.A.W.) and I went to some tapings of Soul Train. Up to that point, that was my highlight to see Don Cornelius do his thing live and also attend the Soul Train Awards.......all along daydreaming of the day when he will interview me about "my" album.
Fast forward to where I am today. For life to come full circle and here I am preparing go back home to perform at my old-stomping-grounds in the Inland Empire, is just mind-blowing. I've had friends from High School say that hey are coming to the show(s) with their kids and seem to be as excited as I am. This pit-stop on this part of my journey has been a long time coming.....I don't take any opportunities (LA JAZZ TV/Sunset Showcase) for granted and am so blessed to be able to do what I love to do......
I have officially got my my ipod updated with my traveling music. Looks like it will be Gretchen Parlato, Mint Condition and Stevie Wonder on heavy rotation.....oh, and I hear this chick named Teri Tobin has a project that's worth checking out, too. ;)
#Love Infinity
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