Since moving to Palm Springs in September '08, I've had the joy (and sometime frustration) of playing with the John Stanley King band. I say sometime frustrating, because of my challenges associated with my arm, and having been away from any steady gig for over 5 years - I've been rusty!!
Having played with JSK and Rob Martinez every week since January, things have come together pretty well, all things considered: The Arm Thing, not rehearsing or even practicing, and only playing once a week. We sound pretty good most of the time - with some very inspired 'jams' that take us to some places none of us have been before. Its usually a fun time!
Because John is a 'local celebrity' of sorts, playing with him has afforded me a kind of 'instant acceptance' by a lot of the local musicians. It's a nice change from having to prove and re-prove over and over... I get to play and get my name out with relative ease.
With this, I was approached by a writer for a local entertainment weekly magazine. They spotlight various entertainers/musicians each week, and it became my time. We did an interview of about an hour over the phone a couple of weeks ago, and I gave him what I thought was the most important information in my education/career. And I trusted him with the facts - facts I thought I spelled out clearly enough. I was wrong.
The article came out today. I found a copy early this morning, and began to read. I was mildly amused at some of the things that were focused on. Some of the people I played with, some of the spelling, the chronology of events... those types of things. But when the writer suggested that I was a 'Investment Broker" I realized that it was all MY fault: I didn't request to proof the interview to double check the facts. I learned this lesson a long time ago in Orlando while running my own quintet. I forgot it, and it has come to bite me once more.
This is the last time! I say that with humility and graciousness to the interviewer, and hope he understands that a quick proof will hep everyone in the short- and long-term. I now remember why...
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