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May 16 Jamestown, VA

Hello everyone,

I know it's been awhile since we've talked but, I have been a little busy. And not all of it was music related. But, enough about that.

We are gathered here today to talk about the a Noisemaker show. (Yippee!!) Yes! Lady's and Germs;-) BH and TNM's had a show. As you know, this band plays a lot of different gigs. Some are historical but, most are your normal everyday show. Well, the Jamestown event was not your every day run of the mill show. It was a celebration of the first settlement that would become America.

This was a very big deal. The queen of England made an apperance. And so did the Prez.

The Noisemakers performed on Saturday. One of the things that made this gig special for me was, Chaka Kahn. I am a fan, I've always been a fan. And I must admit, in my youth I had a huge crush on Chaka Kahn. So to have the chance to share the stage with her was a dream come true. And we were going to rehearse with her the day before the show. Life is good:-) But, now I must share this.

A few days before the rehearsal, I am driving around Los Angeles when my phone rings. I pick it upand Bruce is on the line. Bruce informs me that "he has something very special for me to do for the show Saturday night". I am not on alert, there is some crap about to come my way. I ask. "What do you want me to do?". Bruce says, that he and Sonny have decided that I should do the rap on the beginning of the Chaka song "I Feel For You". I know you all remember it. "Chaka Kahn...Chaka Kahn" and so on.

I am stunned:-( Bruce and Sonny want to make a fool of me.. I don't need them to do that, I do it all the time, I need no help thank you:-). I yell NOOOOOO!! Bruce is in shock. He can't believe that I would say no. He is now trying to talk me into it. We are both laughing our asses off. I have to pull the car over. I am in tears and Bruce is on the other end of the line howling. We finally get control of ourselves and, Bruce ask me to just listen to it.. I agreee to listen and we hang up.

Now, understand that I have never wanted to sing. And my one time doing it was horrible. But, being a rapper is even worst. And, to rap in front of Chaka will make it 100 times as bad.. I want to tear Sonny's head off:-) (in a good way). This is the worst thing that I can think of. So, I listened to the rap. I know Bruce, and he has his mind set on me doing this. I am doomed;-(

The day of the rehersal is at hand. And we finally get to the song. Bruce kind of lets me off the hook by sugesting that we do the rap together. I give in and agree to do it. Thank goodness for the internet. I found the lyrics there. Rapping is hard. The words messing up:-) They are coming way too fast. I am praying to the Rap gods to give me a clue. "Hey Tupac! Please jump into my body for this one song! Pleaseeeeee!" No such luck.. I sound like a dork trying to rap. I feel like a slug:-(

I am trying to figure out how to get back to airport and escape this living hell. And then, there she is. Miss Chaka Kahn. Bruce does the introductions and I somehow hear myself say something that sounded like hello. We rehearse 3 or 4 songs before we get to the rap. Bruce tells Chaka that he and I are going to rap. I quite sure Chaka wanted to tell us to stick to what we do best. At least, I was hoping she would tell us that. Sonny starts the song and, away we go. We are reading the words and the rap is hanging in the air like a lead ballon.. The rest of the song sounds good. Chaka, being kind says. "It sounds good, just give it a little more energy". Is that a nice way to say, don't quit your day jobs fellas! I was hoping to get fired from the rap part of the show. And now I am locked into doing it if front of a whole lot of folks. Uggggg!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe a few drinks will help:-)

The day of the show. And the line up is: BH ATNMs, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder and last but not least Chaka Kahn... This gives me a lot of time for drinking. It felt good to play with the band again. We had some great moments. And the it was Ricky and Bruce's turn. They were great. And we are back on stage and Bruce is bringing Chaka out. The first few songs are going well. And now it is the big moment. I had toyed with the idea of memorizing the rap. But, in the end I chickened out and just read the words. I know it did not look cool but, since when have I ever been cool...

Sonny starts the song. Bruce and I take a deep breath and we are off.. The rap is only 5 or 10 seconds long. But, tonight it felt like it would never end. I am sweating like a slave:-) (don't worry, it's cool). I look at Bruce to see if he is feeling as silly as I am.. But, he seem to be cool with the rap. And the rest of the song was cake.

Now I don't know how many of you were at this event. But, do me a favor. For those of you who may have video of this messs. Get rid of it. Destroy the proof and all will be well with the world.

The rest of the night was spent celebrating a very good time.

Take care all. And I will write again soon.

Peace and Blessings,

JV