While on
vacation in LA , my cousin, Jennifer & I decided to do
the tourist thing and have drinks at the Beverly Hills hotel.
They sat us in the piano bar area. As we sipped on a $10 bottle of water, $7
coffees & $11 chocolate cake, I looked up and sitting directly across
from me was none other than PRINCE!!! THE ARTIST!!
I turned to my cousin and I said, "I'm about to get thrown out of the
Beverly Hills Hotel!", She said, "WHAT? WHY?"
Pointing to Prince I said, "Well, there is one of the greatest musicians
of our lifetime, and over there is a grand piano not being used. I'm gonna
audition for Prince!"
After going back and forth, discussing the possible ramifications, Jennifer
said that I'd regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't do it. So I
got up from my seat, my legs felt like lead. I was so nervous. Jennifer,
too, was so nervous for me, that she started choking on her $10 water.
I walked over to the piano and raised the lid, sat down and hit the first chord
and started singing my song "He's My Baby". I got 2 lines out
when the Hostess approached me and said, "Did one of our guests ask
you to sing for them?"
While still playing I said "No" and then I sang another line of the
song. The Hostess then said that she's gonna have to ask me to stop because
one of the guests requires quiet at this time. While still playing, I replied, "OK" and
then sang one more line before finally getting up and walking back over to
my table. I was so VERKLEMPT that I couldn't think fast enough. I did not have
any business cards on me and I was so flustered I didn't think about writing
my number down. I just looked over at Prince, who caught my eye and then quickly
looked back down at his plate. Whew
Jennifer said that while I was playing, Prince's bodyguard (who's back was
to me) turned around in his chair and started bopping his head. And that
everyone in the room was watching and bopping their heads. When I returned
to my table the bartender approached me with a huge grin and said "WOW,
that took a lot of guts. We were all enjoying it. Why did you stop?" I
explained that I was asked to by the Hostess. Suddenly the Hostess came
running over and said, "It's not that you weren't good, but I had
to do my job". I said, "I know, but I had to take a chance".
Winking at me, she said, "I know you did".
While I regret that I didn't get to follow up and give Prince my contact info,
I did sing for him. it was a great moment.
AND I DIDN'T GET THROWN OUT OF THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL!!!!
Doña |