So there's a guy here in Nashville who is now my idol. And it's even more weird b/c i know him, but when the lights come on that means nothin really. His name is Jason Eskridge. Last Saturday night he asked me to sing alongside him at The Ryman Auditorium. Yes, that Ryman. Jason's used to this stuff, he's toured with Lyle Lovett and now Jonny Lang for awhile now and so he's used to actually dressing rooms and a real soundcheck and putting on a top notch real show. I on the other hand was a kid in a candy store. See I use to work at the Ryman back in o' let's say about four years ago, still in college. I was this lady:
"Yes, what's your ticket number?" "Yes, restrooms are out the double doors." "No, camera flash is not allowed tonight...unless you do it while I'm tying my shoe." Saw John Mayer Trio, Ben Folds (for the first time), but I opted out on seeing some dude named Jonny Lang a few nights later..."I DON'T KNOW THAT NEGRO!" I said quietly in my head as the other ushers rushed to sign in under his concert date. But I said to myself, I'm gonna be on that stage. Not before long, you watch. Well guys, Jason gave me that chance, so I thank him dearly dearly for showing favor to me and the audience that night (SOLD OUT=2,200 people, what tha!) that had little idea for the most part who this crew was opening for Jonny Lang, but cheers like "Yea dude!" and "We love youuuuuu!" even if it was from a drunken state a bit was well worth hearing. I sang next to Missi Hale, a chick who can sing me under a planet. But she smiled and nooded at me as if to say "Aw, it's okay that you're really a lead singer and can't hang with the big dogs, i'll go easy on u." There were other starlights there like Drew Ramsey, Melinda Doolittle, and Tommy Simms, tons of musicians and my best fridn Albert Shumake ladies and gentleman (more on that later). Jonny Lang got standing O's every other song, literally...sigh. Sidenote: Jonny Lang's drummer is Stokley's (Mint Condition) best friend. Tah-Dah! Ok, now for pics (cuz that's all people who can't read really care about):
![[ IAMMUSIC*BLOG: DARNELL LEVINE ]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfj4Iyq_8HwAwm9c1vKXcihbXj3Mc3DK66vkdTL-jL_uir0Scj7OI-Hp0gBdQJo6vEveQvxW5LCsw9reVrhMsrHNfuVJ_OOb7OQlv81M-rRxbUmWayejWIMmOY9YKDXKtD25XGzirm0YPs/s1600/IAMblogheader12.png)
"Yes, what's your ticket number?" "Yes, restrooms are out the double doors." "No, camera flash is not allowed tonight...unless you do it while I'm tying my shoe." Saw John Mayer Trio, Ben Folds (for the first time), but I opted out on seeing some dude named Jonny Lang a few nights later..."I DON'T KNOW THAT NEGRO!" I said quietly in my head as the other ushers rushed to sign in under his concert date. But I said to myself, I'm gonna be on that stage. Not before long, you watch. Well guys, Jason gave me that chance, so I thank him dearly dearly for showing favor to me and the audience that night (SOLD OUT=2,200 people, what tha!) that had little idea for the most part who this crew was opening for Jonny Lang, but cheers like "Yea dude!" and "We love youuuuuu!" even if it was from a drunken state a bit was well worth hearing. I sang next to Missi Hale, a chick who can sing me under a planet. But she smiled and nooded at me as if to say "Aw, it's okay that you're really a lead singer and can't hang with the big dogs, i'll go easy on u." There were other starlights there like Drew Ramsey, Melinda Doolittle, and Tommy Simms, tons of musicians and my best fridn Albert Shumake ladies and gentleman (more on that later). Jonny Lang got standing O's every other song, literally...sigh. Sidenote: Jonny Lang's drummer is Stokley's (Mint Condition) best friend. Tah-Dah! Ok, now for pics (cuz that's all people who can't read really care about): 
