The Daily News
1 When we last left our hero (that would be me!) he was about to grab a microphone, a Manhattan, and a cigarette and croon a couple of Sinatra songs to the madding crowds up at the Chill.
2 I had practiced about six or seven tunes for about five months, not for this talent show follies thing, but I wanted to learn a bunch of Sinatra songs for my Dad. I think in the back of my mind I was going to sing a few with him on his birthday.
3 I had gone to iTunes and found some Karaoke backup that sounded amazingly close to Nelson Riddle, Sinatra's music go-to guy. I had set up a mic and amp in my room, and on late afternoons I would turn the lights out, allowing a natural light to enter the room, and I would attempt to croon.
4 At first I wanted to throw a Bible at myself, because truly, it was hopeless. I'd listen to Sinatra over and over and would be amazed at how he did it. But I kept practicing and soon got a few tunes down.
5 I'd practice in the TOOOOOONDRA, and at home when nobody was around.
6 So I knew on Friday I would be ready, that is if the right voice decided to join. In late May after lots of stress, my voice would crack every other day.
7 But Friday it didn't, and I was ready to go.
8 Sparky came in and helped me straighten my tie and don my gangsta hat. I looked in the mirror and looked like I just killed a guy for my suit.
9 Perfect.
10 When I walked back stage, I cuffed a couple of freshmen on the chin, and moved furtively past any onlookers and proceeded to set up camp at stage right.
11 There seemed to be concerns about the sound, and mics and all. I saw three mics in front of me and popped a finger lightly over the top of each one. The Stage Manager gal came over, another English teacher, and said, "Of course they work; please do not pop the microphones thank you very much!" and she whisked off as though she were OrsonWelles or something.
12 I whispered into the mic, "Ah, tough guy, ayyy? I've handled tougher guys than you!"
13 And I stood like a hoodlum hiding in a dark alleyway.
14 When they finally got it all started, I was introduced. "Y'all love this guy...and blah, blah, blah, and here he is...!"
15 I walked out in this 40's-looking suit, slanted hat, and nifty tie, and stood at center stage.
16 Applause.
17 When the applause subsided, my first words were these: "I killed a guy faw dis suit!"
18 I waited for the laughter to subside, and then said simply, "Maestro."
19 No music. I then said, "How do I look?" and threw my hands up in a fashion pose. Applause and whistles.
20 I looked up at the booth and saw the tech gal and Sparky shrugging shoulders, shaking heads, and bobbing up and down.
21 Looking at the audience, I said, "It would appear that we are experiencing technical difficulties."
22 New York.
23 Still no music.
24 "So a horse walks into a bar...bartender says, 'Why the long face?'
25 Polite laughter.
26 Pause.
27 "So hey, I'm getting shaky here. Do I look shaky?"
28 I shook like a cartoon character and then regained my composure.
29 The tech booth gal shouted out the window of the booth for all to hear, "Mr. Harrington, the REASON you have no music is that the CD you gave us isn't reading!"
30 I looked up and smiled, crooked my head one way, then the other, then stepped up to the mic.
31 "So...looks like Immina hafta sing acapulco." After a pause, I said, "Do you want me to sing 'Young at Heart' acapulco?"
32 Huge applause.
33 So I did. I sang it slowly, making sure I was hitting all the notes and inflections correctly, but it was REALLY scary. I stayed pretty cool, sang that wonderful song, smiled, waved, and exited.
34 Isn't that something?
35 After all those months of practice, I was singing with no back-up.
36 I laughed. It didn't matter, really. Everyone had a great time; the show went well, and we raised almost $1400 for the Red Cross.
37 That's a good day, and I can always look back and laugh.
38 It was a bit disappointing that nobody got to hear it the way I had practiced, but ain't that just show biz?
39 I always said that a pie in the face goes with the job.
40 This was a nice pie though. I loved every minute of it, and there was general comaraderie afterwards. The students had a ball, as did the teachers and staff. We just got to be silly, and it all led to a lovely night.
41 So that's the skinny on the follies. LOTS of awesome talent. One guy played Queen's entire Bohemian Rhapsody on a guitar, simply incredible.
42 Another student played the piano as I've never heard a piano played before. He has won awards, and it showed.
43 Other groups came and went, and each so excited to be performing in front of over 200 people.
44 I absolutely loved it. It reminded me of our old Music Marathons, almost an identical gig, although one of our last acts was a magician!! This kid was amazing.
45 So lovely times.
46 Y'all have a grand Monday. I just wanted to share all of that, because it was all so real.
47 Peace.
~H~
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