The Triangle has a growing number of bars and restaurants with stages for live music. I’ve ventured out a little bit, but I know that in order to place myself in a positive life around the working musicians and singers around town, I must come out and support them.

I recently stopped in at Prime Only. It is a steak and seafood restaurant on West Jones Street with an outstanding Sashimi Bar. The band was breaking down as I walked in, and I made a mental note to make sure that I know the show times when I am making plans to see live music.

While I lost the opportunity to network with the band members, I was thrilled to meet James Iadanza, General Manager and Partner at Prime Only. It was late and the crowd was growing thin. The timing allowed James some freedom to sit down and talk with me and my friend. He and his partners have an exciting vision for Prime Only. They want to fashion it after the Rat Pack.. with a Frank Sinatra feel.. a fine piano bar… with music from that era. Fantastic!

I was happy to share with James that I am performing many of the kinds of songs that fit perfectly with his plans for the place. We agreed to meet again with the intention of seeing whether it’s possible to build a business relationship.

Today I am totally inspired.

The song lasted one minute and 57 seconds.  That’s it.  What could possibly go wrong in such a short span of time?  Plenty!

I didn’t wreck “All That Jazz”  when I touched the stage last Saturday night at the Triangle Corporate Battle of the Bands Competition in Durham… but I didn’t kill it either.   The way I wanted to.

There was a fantastic crowd on the grounds of the American Tobacco Campus.  They were all happy, upbeat, and ready to have a great time.  Those wonderful folks made it  super easy for me to work as emcee for the evening.  My job was to make announcements and intoduce the bands.  Piece of cake, until I had to transition from host to singer.  While I was acting as host and waiting to introduce the next act, the lyrics to All That Jazz kept playing in the back of my mind.

Earlier in the evening, before the crowds arrived, I did a soundcheck.  I couldn’t even get through the first verse without messing it up.  I rolled on through it, but I knew I had to get it together.

As one of the bands for the evening, was setting up on the stage, I told my event handler that I had to get to a quiet place to warm up,  go over the song,  and just settle my nerves.  I ended up in a kitchen prep area.. just me and an assortment of stainless steel islands… and some various and sundry storage cabinets..  I was given about ten minutes and then it was showtime.

I felt ready and walked on stage after a brief introduction.  There wasn’t a moment to get comfy. The sound guy hit the button for the CD musical arrangement.  I was hoping he would wait for me to make eye contact and nod that I was ready.  Not so.   I was hearing the music intro before I knew it!  Nothing for me to do, but sing the song!

Started out just fine..  a bit tentative…but the lyrics flowed.  That is, until I got to the line about WHERE THE GIN IS COLD BUT THE PIANO’S HOT.  The old brain went a numb for a second and I sang, WHERE THE GIN IS WARM BUT THE PIANO’S HOT.  Couldn’t stop, had to keep going.  From there the rest of the song flowed fine with a nice big finish.

To my great surprise and relief, the crowd showed me big love.  They stood to their feet and applauded.   I bowed, then exhaled with  great relief.

Here’s the thing:  Now that my special  moment’s over.  I can sing that song with the greatest of ease… like I’ve know it all my life.  But who’s asking?