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mrdreamjeansDuring my senior year at Texas A&M, I was asked by my favorite history professor, Shirley Black, to be the entertainment for a political rally on campus. She was the faculty sponsor for the Young Republicans and Nancy Reagan was the guest speaker. Nancy was appearing on behalf of her husband; the year was 1976. I had only been singing since my Freshman year of college and had completed my first professional gig during the summer between my Sophomore and Junior years. I was honored to be asked (though of course, in retrospect, what I now know about Ronald Reagan tarnishes the memory). I told Shirley I'd do it and prepared a song for the rally.
On that day, I went before the 800 audience members and sang my song. It got great response. I walked offstage all aglow, excited by the success. Shirley walked up to me and said, "Neil, Mrs. Reagan's plane has been delayed. Go sing, another song." I replied, "but, I only prepared one song!". She said, "Go sing it again!" Off I went, explained to the audience what was happening and sang the same song. After the second performance, the audience responded with even greater applause .. and amusement.
As I walked offstage, tiny Mrs. Reagan appeared in the wings in a tailored red dress. I was briefly introduced to her before she went onstage to give her speech. But ... Before she launched into her remarks, she said, "There's a young man who was entertaining you today while you waited for me. I've been told he's a splendid singer. I'd like to hear him sing." Out of the wings I go, sheepishly approaching center stage. The audience is laughing (with me, I think:) and I launch into my third rendition of the same song!
The song? From "Funny Lady", "Let's Hear It For Me"!
What did I learn from this experience? Always prepare for the unexpected and no matter how embarrassing the situation, deal with it with grace:)
ps ... I did not vote for Ronald Reagan:)
On that day, I went before the 800 audience members and sang my song. It got great response. I walked offstage all aglow, excited by the success. Shirley walked up to me and said, "Neil, Mrs. Reagan's plane has been delayed. Go sing, another song." I replied, "but, I only prepared one song!". She said, "Go sing it again!" Off I went, explained to the audience what was happening and sang the same song. After the second performance, the audience responded with even greater applause .. and amusement.
As I walked offstage, tiny Mrs. Reagan appeared in the wings in a tailored red dress. I was briefly introduced to her before she went onstage to give her speech. But ... Before she launched into her remarks, she said, "There's a young man who was entertaining you today while you waited for me. I've been told he's a splendid singer. I'd like to hear him sing." Out of the wings I go, sheepishly approaching center stage. The audience is laughing (with me, I think:) and I launch into my third rendition of the same song!
The song? From "Funny Lady", "Let's Hear It For Me"!
What did I learn from this experience? Always prepare for the unexpected and no matter how embarrassing the situation, deal with it with grace:)
ps ... I did not vote for Ronald Reagan:)
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