It’s been a while since I’ve written anything in my blog, but this experience requires that I spend a few moments ruminating on the day’s events.<\/p>\n
Prince took over the Arsenio Hall Show this week! \u00a0The show aired on Wednesday, March 5, 2014.<\/p>\n
I arrived at work 45 minutes early so that I could program my keyboards, and already, the excitement in the air was palpable. \u00a0Purple was everywhere. \u00a0Musicians were everywhere. \u00a0Fans (meaning everyone in the building, from staff to security to crew to Posse 2.0 – I mean, who’s NOT a Prince fan???) were everywhere. \u00a0I had been practicing keeping my calm for the previous several hours before arriving on set. \u00a0Didn’t help. \u00a0I still reverted to being a 13 year screaming fan, at least on the inside.<\/p>\n
You see, my very first concert was a Prince concert. \u00a0My father took me and my BFF and we lost our minds, passionate Prince fans that we were. \u00a0It was an amazing show, and left an indelible impression.<\/p>\n
Fast forward to 2010, and Prince joins Stevie Wonder on stage at Stevie’s concert in Paris, performing “Superstition” with the full band. \u00a0Sharing the stage with these two very important, influential, iconic artists was surreal, breathtaking, exciting, fun, and amazing and filled me with a tremendous sense of gratitude and joy. \u00a0I didn’t get to meet Prince, but I was on stage with him! \u00a0WOW!!<\/p>\n
Fast forward to this week, and Prince comes to the Arsenio Hall Show and puts on an absolutely fantastic performance, reveals more of his personality in the interview with Arsenio, and jokes around with the audience (all of which can be found on Arsenio’s website<\/a>). \u00a0Arsenio clearly made Prince feel at home, and as usual, conducted the interview in such a way that it felt more like eavesdropping on a couple of incredibly fascinating, good friends having a casual conversation – which it actually was. \u00a0Prince was articulate, charming and engaging. \u00a0He reminded all of us, yet again, why we all love him and his music, and that he is a musical genius.<\/p>\n Every musician in Prince’s cadre was phenomenal (including 3RDEYEGIRL<\/a>, Liv Warfield<\/a>, NPG Horns, Cassandra O’Neal<\/a>,\u00a0@therealshelbyj<\/a>), and they all inspired Posse 2.0 to play at our highest level (we were on fire…if I do say so myself…). \u00a0I was spellbound watching Prince and his musicians perform, and honored to finally meet him. \u00a0Genius. \u00a0Icon. \u00a0Inspiration to multiple generations of musicians.<\/p>\n Rock on, Prince!<\/p>\n Forever your fan…<\/p>\n