The journey is somewhat more subdued than the rest, but not at all down to lack of enthusiasm. There were a few changes in personnel due to work commitments, but the journey is very much enjoyable. I am really taken back by the pleasant nature of everyone involved!
On arrival we are asked to be on standby for sound-check/rehearsal. Stevie and his band are playing through songs and having a laugh, in fact, much like any other band. However, Stevie is very much the one commanding the general direction of things, along with the production manager.
I am in awe of the gift Stevie possesses, it's almost as if he is at one with the sound of music, similar to the way we all are generally at one with our own natural breathing!
The band are obviously noticeably honored to be there and you can see the professionalism they constantly display . As we wait for our moment to participate in the sound-check, Stevie's playful character is very much on show, with jokes and accents flying over his Mic during random outbursts!
After soundcheck, which sounded incredible actually, we all head for dinner. The catering was tremendous! Everything had just the right amounts. I am sure that Stevie being blind gives him a greater advantage with the other senses, including taste! So, t's no wonder as to why this catering company has been touring with Stevie's crew for many years now!
We are then told that we are able to take one group picture with Stevie, which is not what I wreckon we would have preferably opted for, but it was never going to be frowned upon by any of us!
The pic came after a lengthy wait, and was once again very surreal. As he came out, what immediately struck me was the size of this man!! He was towering over me ,and even some of the taller guys of the choral! He was there in front of us, and we were there in awe of him, everyone wondering what to say, and somehow not sure how to tke the moment in, knowing that he could see none of us, and even if he could, it would probably have been the last time for many of us! As he held his hand out, I stretched forward to shake it and noticed the firmness of his grip, which was aided somewhat by the fact that his hands are also huge!
I explained what a pleasure it was to finally meet him, and we took the picture together, which I am sure you will agree looks great!
Looking back over the experience, I remember having a talk with Emily during the soundcheck, as we sat in the front row of Manchester arena, and she like me concluded, that there is this aura about Stevie that is ever so reminiscent of our father, Barnet 'Ron' Holligan.
They are indeed less than a year apart in age, but it was just his playful personality, his authoritive presence and his graceful gentleness, as well as facial features that very much felt like home to us both!
Anyone who has heard my music and its nature, especially songs like 'It's Over' and Beautiful Tale, and even seen my pictures on myspace will testify that my sound, and at times general style and appeal could quite easily at times find it's origins in a classic Stevie album, such as 'Talking book' or 'Songs in the key of life'!
It was for this reason, I took the opportunity of approaching Stevie's Tour Director, who I have known for many years prior to eventaully ending up backing him. I gave him my EP and pleaded with him to play it to Stevie, with the hope that he would simply identify and perhaps even enjoy knowing the influence he has had on my craft as I writer!
Whether he has heard it or not remains a mystery, but I guess that only time will tell.
Then just before we left the arena, the choral sang happy birthday to me, Stevie wonder style of course!
On the way home I was once again left in very surreal place, on the coach having just finished a UK tour performing with a true Genius, the eve of my 30th brithday!
Inspired to the hilt I began to dream even bigger than before, of just what is possible, when you really trust the Great Script-writer, and leave things in His hands!
Thanks for taking the time to read this blog, Feel free to reply or leave comments, and be sure to stop by in the near future, as I will be revealing more true stories from my travels and exploits!
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