DL: Mint Condition...

Heeeey! Long time, at least for me. I really just wanna blog and talk about anything. War, cheerios, grey's anatomy, nashville music, everything. I've just been so busy with the record coming out and me shipping them all out myslef, which is fun really. Like I feel like I'm shaking each buyers hand when i sign the poster and ship it out. I can literally name buyers #18 or buyer #81. But it does take alot of time and maintainance. All good though.

So, what's up with you!? Comment, I wanna know. Bosses trippin at work? Got new car? Went to see a good band play? ...me? Well last night was the most unexpected night I've had in awhile. Last week went from chillin for the weekend to opening for Mint Condition for the weekend. Yea, I know Mint Condition! OK, so I've been listening to those guys since 1993 i think. the album was "The Mint Factory" and it helped me learn the difference between R&B artists (Jodeci, Aaron Hall, etc...which was still better music than now) and an R&B band. I could go on but let's just say they influenced me alot. So anyhow, I've learned thru experience that most times when you get these "opening" gigs, it's a paradox. On one hand you get to be open for ur favorite artists and bump up that resume. On the other hand you don't get paid most times, you rarely get to actually meet the artist, and they don't have a clue that you even exist; the crowd isn't there for you and though it's good exposure it can sometimes feel like ur going backwards. So I was happy but not b/c of the opening slot as much as I got to play my songs one more time. I'm starting to get better at avoiding the hype of the show and embracing the selfish side of me that says "Hey man, can't wait to sing those songs again tonight, it's gonna sound great...". That way I don't get disappointed when folks talk during ur 30 minutes, or clap sparsely after each song. But...oddly, none of this really happened. Omar, the promoter I knew who got me the gig, followed thru and gave me some travel change, it was in KY (my home state), so the audience was polite-even into it towards the end, and I got to meet the guys from Mint Condition after the show (I simply walked "backstage"-a makeshift lobby area-right up to the guys, and said "Hey I opened for ya'll tonight, a absolute pleasure to meet you, take my CD, play it sometime, good luck on the new record...", yep said it just like that. BUT Stokley had to do number 2 so I didn't meet him...aw shucks). I talked to the manager and got his card (3 points for Levine). And sold 6 or 7 EPs.

So yea, last night was good...a nice surprise and a BIG exception! Mint is coming out with a new record soon...their website is http://www.mintconiditionmusic.com/. My friend he dones't know if he's gonna buy it b/c he thinks they're trying to be relavent to our music today to get radio play and survive and it's hurting the music. Maybe so (I can unfortunately empathize) but best believe the live show will never ever be a whammy in my book. No way. So that's it for now. I'mplaying my CD release show in Nashville at Exit/In (Yes, I'm headlining Exit/In) with my boy Damien Horne and a great group I've yet to hear live but apparently have a great following called Scratchtrack. You can buy tickets online now...but we're working out a deal where the first 50 folks get some free stuff...so i'll let u know asap. I mean it is next week!!! Ok, so i'll be back tomorrow morning...it may not be long but I'll be back:)

have a good night and dont forget to pray some...here's an oldie but goodie,

DL

1993

2006