I get a lot of strange reactions from people that hear me sing. I am not exactly sure what they are hearing that is different from everyone else... however, whatever it is I’d like to bottle it. I think that more people should be honest with themselves and do what their instincts tell them. Like this lady did...
We were performing at a business function of some kind. Upper crust... a bunch of stuffy accountants. The funny thing about those stuffy accountants is the cliche is true, get a few drinks into them and, Aye Carumba!
We had managed to get everyone up in a drunken frenzy, dancing badly, and behaving in a way that was quite contrary to who they ever thought they were. They danced until the very end of the evening and while Daren and I were tearing down our gear, many a happy-go-lucky accountant would stop to shake Daren’s hand or comment on my performance that night. Status quo and always appreciated by us, of course, but nothing overt.
I was unwinding my microphone from the stand and I heard a strange squeak I turned around and saw a small and slightly older woman grinning at me and holding her fists
up to her cheeks.
The
Screaming
Lady
“Hello.” I said and smiled at her.
I believe she said something to me... I am not really sure what, because she spoke so quickly that it sounded a lot like, “Jibba wobba didda, curioum gidda giidda diiddaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!” She screamed, jumped into my arms and started hugging.
These are the kinds of situations that no one trains you for. Do you push her away? Do you hug her back? Or do you stand frozen and in shock that some strange person has wrapped their arms around your waist and is now gibbering away happily?
When she finally calmed down her eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement and she explained that she had just been undone by my performance, especially the song Crazy, by Patsy Cline.
I thanked her, feeling more than a little like a spectacle... and when I looked at her, for real, for the first time, I suddenly felt a little ashamed of myself. Here was a woman that had allowed herself to be touched by my voice and I felt embarrassed. How embarrassing.
I smiled at her as warmly as I could and listened with as much interest as I was able to muster. She babbled for quite a bit about how exciting it was to meet someone who might become famous, for real. I continued to tear down the gear as Daren loaded the car and all the while the woman was talking cheerfully, like I was the greatest thing in the world. She asked for an autograph and a card, both of which I gave her and off she went.
Two thumbs up for the screaming lady wherever you are! I admire your honesty!