I'm still not completely recovered but must write some more while the memories are fresh ;-) The NAMM show was so much fun - it's like an adult Disneyland for music freaks. Darice and I first met up with Paz at the Taylor room to see Jeff Pevar, Artie Traum and another guy play. Artie is an incredible songwriter who reminds me a bit of Paul Simon, but Pevar's trademark CPR sound permeated throughout the performance. Paz commented that they even sounded like CPR with Artie's Croz-like singing voice. Freebo, Bobbie Raitt's former tuba player, came in and sat in front of us. We later saw Wendy Waldman perform at Taylor, but missed seeing Livingston Taylor (boohoo)One of the wild things about NAMM is that just about everybody looks like someone famous or familiar but you can't always place who they are. It usually turns out that the *are* someone famous and it is fascinating to see them hanging out in their element. We all saw an assortment of "stars", including Iggy Pop, actor and sometime musician Adam Sadler, horror movie hostess Elvira, Phil Everly and many more. It was great to hook up with Steve, Kate, Jeff and Nikki there, too. I'm always so thankful to Paz for snagging us passes to this event. Thanks also to our man Paz, later that night the whole gang got into the private "All Star Guitar Night" party at the Hilton featuring many of who are considered the best guitarists in the world. To say it was stupendous is an understatement. The magic dust was on us as Kate spotted her good friend who invited us all to sit in the VIP section right in front of the stage! As Alison reported, Keanu Reeves band Dogstar played and I also thought they were just fantastic! If this wasn't all enough, we continued the party back at Julian's "JMDL Hospitality Suite" until around 3 a.m. I was so high that I even tried an anchovy martini olive there for the first time ;-) Kate and her husband Jeff played some really beautiful music and Nikki performed some incredible guitar licks on "Conversation." The party Sunday was one of the best I've ever had, totally in thanks to those who were there. Darice and Phyliss helped me so much with the food and set-up - they were just wonderful and I thank them very much for everything. Likewise to my L.A. buds Steve and Michelle, Clark and Rick who are just the classiest and sweetest people you'd ever want to meet. The dancing and dulcimer was fantastic! It was so great and we were so lucky to have Kate and Jeff join us and play more live music, especially after so much partying and long-distance driving for them last weekend! Thanks for being such troupers! As reported, Kate, Jeff and Clark are truly even more awesome when you hear their music live! Alison grossly underestimates her musical talents - she sings and plays like a professional and I have the recordings to prove it, so there! We did some haphazard recording of events on Sunday, but I hope to edit the tapes and put together a little compilation at some point. Thanks Alison for keeping the music and party spirit going (the "ribald" song turned out to be one of the best cuts ;-) It was fun to have Barb join us, too! Thanks also to Nikki for all her great music and spirit - everyone thought you were so cute and sweet, Nikki! Since you want me to keep the tuner you left behind, I will take that as a sign of your return to L.A. again soon. ;-) Thanks to Julius for getting us a NAMM party suite and for chaffeuring everyone around! I'm always so happy when you decide to come to L.A. to party with us. You are my dear sweet friend and I appreciate everything you do and your great singing, too. Thanks to those there in spirit if not in person - Russ for his generous gifts of the gorgeous Hejira shirts, and Marian for the great surprise of a phone call all the way from Vienna! And lastly thanks to Paz, the social and musical director extraordinaire who gets so much credit for starting it and keeping it all going! The high level of excitement and activity would never be quite the same without you. I can't wait to do it all again soon! Love, Kakki
