After Thots

I've been chastised a bit for not mentioning myself, or for their being any pictures of me in the posts thus far. Let me say a bit about that -- I'm Taya Levine, someone who came to know Jennie McKnight and Andrea Weatherhead when they were living in Washington, D.C. almost 30 years ago. I was introduced to their music back then and have been a big fan and supporter ever since.

Imagine being a groupie of a band, and having the band say to you "hey, how'd you like to go on the road with us?" That's pretty much what this week has been like for me. I was asked to take on the "Road Manager" role and was responsible for a lot of the tour logistics -- booking gigs, accommodations, the van, etc. -- and during the week, I drove the van, and tried to take care of things that would free up the group to focus on their music and their performing. I've posted this blog, and have video'd many of the songs they've performed and taken tons of pictures. The pictures will be posted on web albums that can be viewed by everyone and I've created a Fair Weatherheads You Tube channel to which I will upload all of the videos once I have access to a higher speed internet connection -- look for a final update within the week.

I can honestly say it has been my honor to accompany them, play a supporting role and make a contribution to the dream becoming a reality. I've said to them that I know this is Andrea's 50th, but I will be forever grateful for the association of this week with my 50th as well (I turn 50 in September) -- it has been one of the most satisfying and enriching weeks of my life and a huge gift beyond the telling. I could gush on and on, but what I'll do instead is share with you what I shared with the band, and their Starry Plough audience, as they began their second set of music.

I thought about how to let others in on the experience, how to render it fully, without going through the countless stories that could be told. I decided to adopt an approach used by this amazing tool I'm working with now to share info about this tour, the internet. I created a list of keywords for the week, 50 of them, in honor of Andrea's birthday. Here is the week, in 50 keywords (and if you wonder about what any of them mean, you need only to ask one of the Fair Weatherheads!):

Brilliance
Joy
Humility
Fearlessness
Celebration
Mo's Clam Chowder
Break it down!
Laughter
Shared history
More coffee!
Loving
Tolerance
Let's do this song!
Playfulness
Collaboration
Rock Star - in multiple flavors
I can see better without the light
Margaritaville
Nurturing
Cabin Rock
Excellence
Great Dancers
Agreements -- daily
It's a mobile home
MVP
Delicious
Slow down please!
Bates Motel
Work harder!
Scenery
6 am band meeting
Risk taking
Toast
Cat butt face
Creativity
Hydrate!
800 exquisitely designed square feet
Fierce
Can you play for our wedding?
Satisfaction
Harmonies
Fat and buttery
Humor
Respect
Patience
Goosebumps
9 gig tour to Kansas City
Surprises
Awe
Gratitude

And as I said to them...I bow to you. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this amazing experience. I have the deepest respect and admiration for all of you - I'd do it all again any time!