Last night’s CD Release Party was simply incredible.
Magical. That’s the word I kept using. Magical. I couldn’t find a better one.
The restaurant was full of friends and supporters and singers and songwriters. The Hudson Valley has a thriving music scene and the level of talent continues to amaze and delight me.
Don had set up the evening to include performances by his fellow musicians. First up, was Montgomery Delaney, then Dave Kearney and Elly Wininger (Small Engine), then Open Book (Rick and Michele Gedney), then Marji Zintz – all of them sang two songs and all of them had completely different styles. Extraordinary. Don introduced each of the acts, telling a little story about his connection to them, how they have influenced his musical journey.
Then, I got up and introduced Don and Dan and they performed all ten cuts from their album, plus, after a standing ovation, an encore.
Rick and Michele Gedney, known as Open Book. Simply exquisite. Rick was also intimately involved in this CD as it was recorded and mixed in his studio. He is so talented! And to add to all of his skills, he is a gifted landscape painter and I would love nothing more than to own one of his paintings.
Our extraordinarily talented friend, Marji Zintz. She is a chanteuse, singing intricate, sexy, jazzy songs that cast a spell on you.
The stars of the night: Don and Dan.
And yes, he is hot.
Don, Rick and Dan.
I’ve witnessed many moments of joy and delight in the years I’ve been with Don. But last night might be one of the most joy-filled evenings I’ve ever been a part of. He was so moved by the support of his friends, by the performances of his fellow musicians, by, as he said, ‘a dream fulfilled.’
The entire evening, from start to finish, was magical. I am so, so happy for my husband. And for Dan. But seeing my husband so moved, with tears in his eyes? I’ll never forget it.
We’ll be talking about it for days to come, that I know.
Hard freeze last night. I’m just about to go take the sheets off. I almost resigned to the fact that my plants might be done. The catalpa is shedding hundreds of leaves as I write this.
That, my friends, is not making me happy.
The zinnias didn’t make it, and I don’t think the morning glories did, either. We’ll wait and see. But the geraniums in the barrels are hanging in there. And all of the porch plants are safely inside the house, making it look like a jungle.
Thank goodness I have memories of last night to balance everything out.
Happy Sunday.
Claudia, Your description of last night made me feel the excitement and love going on during the show. Congratulations to Don. Doris
Thank you so much, Doris.
“A dream fulfilled” – how wonderful is that?
Congratulations to Don for his latest accomplishment – what a talented family you are.
Nothing better than a dream fulfilled, Barbara. I’m so, so happy for him!
I am so happy for Don and your joy at seeing his happiness is so sweet. That’s what love is and you both show that to us all the time. Smiles here just reading this! I just ordered the CD which is still back ordered but I’m sure I will get soon. Can’t wait!!
hugs,
Linda
You’ll get it soon, Linda! Thanks so much for ordering one!
Dream filled…magical? Sounds like quite the evening! So happy for both of you! I can hear the ‘pride’ in your voice! It got to 29 last night…everything survived that I covered up! Now…71 tomorrow…..what? Have a super day! ;)
Not so good here, Donnamae. The zinnias didn’t make it and I don’t think the morning glories are going to.
How lovely for you! Three cheers for Don.
Thanks, Margaret!
It has been quite a week for you and I’m sending along continuing well wishes for your Dad.
And, what a wonderful culmination to mark it with such an enchanting evening! Blessings for you both<3
Thank you so much, Grace!
Thank-you for your glorious Autumn tree images and for finding and sharing the beauty in your garden.
Fare well with the cold nights!
Farewell indeed! Unfortunately, they took my flowers with them!
Glad it was such a special evening for you and Don. Sounds wonderful! When our husbands are in their element, it is very special for us wives. Enjoy the glow!
He’s worked very hard on this and deserves all the praise and recognition he gets.
I am so happy for Don and Dan and all of the success they are having…I am so sorry that you beautiful flowers didn’t make it…
Me too, Nancy. Very frustrating that the morning glories didn’t bloom earlier – not sure why that happened.
Sounds like a wonderful evening. Congratulations ty o Don.
Thank you Kathy!
So happy for you and Don. It’s so awesome to have a cause to celebrate. Wish I could have been there to enjoy the evening with you. It’s always wonderful when a long held dream comes to fruition. Congrats Don!!!
It is, indeed, Janie. Thank you!
So happy for Don an you! Couldn’t happen to a more deserving couple. Just wish I could have been there. Still saying extra prayers for your Dad. Sorry about the freeze. I love fall — but winter is another matter. I’m never ready for it.
I was definitely not ready for a freeze, Dottie. It’s depressing.
Wish it was the old days when a CD could sell a lot of copies – it’s a little different now, with streaming music and iTunes. But, nevertheless, we’re thrilled!
Wow, sounds like Don’s night could not have gone better! How fun that you got to introduce him Claudia!
So far Fall in Oregon has been absolute perfection. Today is sunny and in the 60’s. We’re supposed to get some colder night temps (high 30’s) later in the week. Good luck with saving as many of your porch plants as possible.
The porch plants aren’t a problem. It’s the ones in the ground that are almost impossible to save. Ah, well.
It’s so nice to hear of you both having such a fine evening and, yes, what a way to keep your mind off the freeze. It’s also nice that the cold weather didn’t keep people from coming to the event.
What was your daytime temp today, after the cold-cold night? Just curious. I always am intrigued by what’s going on weather-wise on the opposite coast. I’m thinking it might have been sunny but brisk for you today? We’re 90 degrees here at about 2:45pm in SoCalif with a lot of muggy haze hugging the coastline and it’s ungodly humid. We’ve never gotten a spot of rain although north of us somewhat they had downpours and flash floods; maybe you’ve read about the mud collapse on California’s big interstate called Highway 5.
I think it was in the fifties, but it’s going to get warmer tomorrow and the temps will be close to 70, which makes losing my plants all the more painful.
Woohooo way to go!! Congrats, sounds like it was just wonderful. If I had been close by, would have loved to have been there to hear them all. Yes the frost is on the pumpkin. Started to put up the heavier curtains today.
Hugs
Too cold. But warmer later in the week.
lovely story. I will order c.d.’s. the flowers/ plants are minor in the scrip of life. enjoy and let them go.. love.
Well, I perfectly happy to let them go in November, but not in mid-October. Especially when the rest of the week is going to have warmer temperatures – hitting almost 70 degrees and only going down to the forties.
What a wonderful thing to say a dream has been fulfilled. And so glad you were there to share it with him! The beautiful memories will warm you on the cold & snowy days ahead.
We had a freeze on Fri & Sat nights. I covered my MG’s. They made it!! At least the ones covered up made it. There were some vines growing up into a close by tree that froze, but those which were under-cover are good!! Actually, my one wine barrel w/ geraniums in it also looks fine. Back to 71* tomorrow, Tues & Wed. yay!! Even one more week with a few blooms will be wonderful. This is late in the season for the first freeze for us, so each day now is truly a diamond.
I don’t know why my morning glories didn’t make it – the only thing I can think is that it gets very windy here and it was last night – maybe it was too much. But, without sounding too dramatic, I’m heartbroken. There were so many buds ready to bloom.
Congratulations to Don and his friend! I am so glad you were in town and got to be their for the evening. Sounds like a great time was had by all.
Judy
It was such fun, Judy! Everyone had a great time – there was such a positive energy in the room!
Don told me how wonderful it was, I am so happy for him,
Love you both,
M
Your joy sang through those words, Claudia. So happy for you and Don (and Dan). Thanks for letting us be a part of the celebratory event. But so sorry about your plants….