Eric Clapton
Introducing Gabrielle in Scenes From the Dragon's Lair...
A man with a long silver ponytail opens the door and we enter. The walls are completely covered with animal heads, spears, Native American artifacts and Medieval Celtic swords in all shapes and sizes. "This is wild!' Todd sputters.
"I hope that's a good thing," says Dan, the man with the ponytail. (Dan's name is altered.)
"Oh, yes!" I nervously jabber, "Todd loves it or he wouldn't have said anything!"
Hand in hand, Todd and I walk upstairs to Dan's 'office' and take a seat on a mildewed brown canvas sofa across from Dan's chair.
"So, I have to ask you," Dan begins, "why did you come all this way from Manhattan just to see me?"
"Um...you would only show us DVD's in your office," Todd answers.
"Well, what are you looking for?"
"What kind of music do you sing best?" Todd asks.
"What kind of music do you want me to sing?" Dan asks.
"Can we listen to your music?" I ask.
"I want to tell you about me. I've been doing weddings for over 17 years. I do not have a song list...Do you know why?"
We are silent.
"I like to read the crowd. I take notes," he leans in conspiratorially. "I used to be Sinatra's band leader for years."
"Can you do jazz?" Todd asks
"I was a professional jazz musician for years. Can I do jazz? Let me tell you why you want me. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong," he says, "If it's going to rain it will rain. If there's a caterer, there will be food issues. I fix problems. That's why you want me. Let me show a DVD before you hear my music. I think it speaks volumes." read more »
Dan pops his video into the DVD player and dims the lights. Ocean waves appear on the screen. They crash in the background as gulls fly through the luminous sky. Dan's voice booms from the speakers...
"I am the music for the bride! I bring the romance of the special day..."Bottoms Up
