I don’t have much on my bucket list. If an opportunity comes up, great; but I don’t yearn for it. Well, except for certain shows I’d love to do – but I have no control over that; but there was one thing I really wanted to do – sing with a big band – and now I did it.
OMG.
It was heaven.
And I hope to do it again; but I have no control over that, and I’m just thrilled that I got to do it at all.
I had performed Thank God I’m Old (from Barnum) at Creative 360’s Broadway Flight series and a gentleman approached me about singing with the resident big band – Blast from the Past.
Hell yes, I wanted to sing with them.
I worked with their music librarian, Sue, and decided I would like to sing Tuxedo Junction and Lady Is a Tramp. I figured, first time out (and hopefully not the last, but who knows …), I should do up tempo songs, and I love both of these.
I rehearsed with the band twice – which entailed, showing up at their rehearsal, and singing through the songs – less than 10 minutes and I was out of there. The band is great, so much talent; and I was memorized and ready to go. So easy-peasy.
And last night, I got sparkly – full drag. Makeup, jewelry, black sequined leggings, black silk top and my rose burnt-out and beaded long vest.
And I got up on that stage twice, and I SANG.
And I LOVED it.
The people got up and danced, and I got so many great compliments: One guy said, “Somebody should discover you and put you on Broadway”; to which I replied “Well, they better hurry up about it.” A band member said: “You swing”; and I replied “I do; just don’t tell my husband.”
So music was made, and laughs were had, and God (TIDBI) it was FUN.
Who knows when and if I’ll get to do it again, but Blast from the Past plays the first Monday of the month, October – May – but this year, they’re doing a June concert as well due to popular demand. Creative 360 is at 5501 Jefferson Avenue, Midland, Michigan. Check out Creative 360’s website (becreative360.org) – they have an amazing amount of activities and events going on each month.
Thoughts from a Fat Old Lady 
Can we say BRIGHT GREEN WITH ENVY???????
First, let me say that you sound terrific ( I can remember when I could hit notes that high, somewhere around age 45) & look great — love the outfit. Oh – the joy of fronting a big band, the warmth of that sound behind you, the whole singin’ & swingin’ feel of it — did it once, years ago & wished it had gone on for ages. My mom & godmother sang with real, live 1940s big bands & would that I could have. Am SO hoping that they ask you back again – you looked so at home up there, like you were having the time of your life.