The SoCal Chronicles: Day 1

Last Thursday, I left my house at 9:00 a.m. to drive to Southern California for some meetings in L.A. and to do a private show in Carlsbad. Ten minutes later, I returned to my home (since I am prone to forget things at times) to retrieve my iPod and any audiobooks I could find. All I could rummage up was Day 1 of a Tony Robbins series. After a ten hour drive, I pretty much have Day 1 memorized. Tony would be proud.

Road Trip Rule #1: Bring something awesome to listen to. Preferably hours of material - not one 30 minute CD.

Road Trip Rule #2: Bring awesome food. In this I did succeed. Chocolate Covered Macaroons by Raw Melissa? YES, PLEASE.

Road Trip Rule #3: Stop at landmark locations to get out and walk around. My favorite? The St. George D.I.. I always find awesome stuff there. For example, feast your eyes upon these vintage silver formal shoes in MINT CONDISH!:

And check out these vintage golden Stilettos! Both purchased for less than $10.

Cha-ching.


Of course, it was a Hipstamatic moment.

After staying in St. George way too long, I forced myself back in the car. I actually had to get to West L.A. Music by 9:00 p.m. because I wanted to have a little looksey at a stage piano I've been lusting after. Oh, yes. The Korg SV-1 (which is nerd talk for "stellar keyboard"). To make a long story short, I did arrive in the nick of time and you will see my lovely keyboard if you come to my next show (which is this Saturday, 9:00 p.m. at Jazzy Java in St. George, UT).

But, really. The icing on the cake? Legendary bass player Carol Kaye happened to be giving a bass clinic at West L.A. Music when I arrived. Carol has played electric bass and guitar on hit records for the following artists (and many more): Beach Boys, Ray Charles, TheRighteous Bros., Johnny Mathis, Nancy Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Glen Campbell, Lou Rawls, Jan & Dean, Henry Mancini, The Lettermen, Paul Revere & Raiders, Monkees, Buckinghams, April & Nino,Sonny & Cher, Chris Montez, Andy Williams, Quincy Jones, Joe Cocker, Ike &Tina Turner, and Mel Torme. Not only is Carol a female pioneer in the music industry, but a white female who played in all the prestigious black jazz clubs of her time. This woman is inspiring.

Then, I crashed at Comfort Inn in Santa Monica which, by the way, is almost entirely carpeted in Astro Turf. So, if you like Astro Turf, you should stay there sometime.