MY 20 FEET FROM STARDOM

When you hear that a legendary artist is coming to town, the plan is to find tickets to the venue, secure a good seat in the audience, and sing along. Every now and then the plan changes. You find that you're going to be on stage, behind a hot mike, wearing the customary black attire, and harmonizing with two other people. You can't just sing any old part like you would if you were in the audience, or in your basement. You have to know the music. You're suddenly a part of the show you would have gladly paid to attend...and you can hardly believe the favor you've been shown.

Last Saturday night at the Howard Theater, THE A'ngela Winbush took me by the hand, led me away from my very, very, very comfortable background spot, and handed me her mike....You could have bought me with 2 cents.
I wonder if the general public even knows the extent of her musical resume; the contributions she has made that don't even bear her name. At nearly 60 years of age, her showmanship is astounding, and her voice--wow.

I heard her sing for the first time when I was about 13, I think. Union Temple's choir was tops in my book. When their album was released around 1974, I was so excited! Google "Look Up and Live" and you'll see what I mean. With that album in hand, I knew I could hear them ANY time, and not have to wait until the next time Bethlehem Baptist Church visited Union Temple--or vice versa. Walking up those creaky, winding, wooden steps (that never seemed to end) at the old Union Temple was worth it. Once you got to the top, it was like arriving in Oz! There was excitement-- and great and wonderful music. Union Temple was the hip, afro-centric church around the corner. They had a really cool pastor (Willie F. Wilson), the fair-skinned dude with the big afro who could really play that piano (Richard Smallwood), a singing deacon named Sully who should have been a star, and a choir that rocked! I used to wonder if there was anyone in their congregation who couldn't sing or play an instrument. A'ngela was in the choir, and her voice was clear and strong and sounded "just like the people on the records". It still is!!!

When I think about those days and consider today, I smile and am very grateful. Who knew I'd not only get to meet many of the people whose talents I soooo admired, but to work with her as well--and I wasn't even trying! 
Harmonizing with family and friends is always a real treat, too--even if they do make me sing soprano. Sharing DNA has an uncanny way of taking care of the blend and tone so you can concentrate on other things like remembering the lyrics and singing your part--and Ms. Winbush had harmonies in her head that challenged the brain, but were so much fun to sing! 
The experience was fun. (Thank you, Lord). It may have even jump-started my fitness regime. In six-inch heels, A'ngela went from a squat to a standing position without touching the floor. Let me try that. I would have tripped on my own hem, toppled off of the stage and been sprawled out, unconscious, on top of some patron's dinner and destined for a ride in an ambulance to the nearest ER. 
Nevertheless, we got to hear her play piano, and sing the songs she'd penned--songs we'd sung along to, but never really explored. Singing along is one thing. Listening to learn is an entirely different animal. 
Ms. Winbush deserves a place in music history.
 
I love my own "20 Feet From Stardom" experiences...: )