In which I did two gigs this weekend.

Friday and Saturday nights I played (er, sang backup) in J’s 13th annual holiday benefit concert at Morningstar Studio. Proceeds this year are being split betwen the Jefferson County Womens’ Crisis Center, the Childrens’ Center, and the International charity Airline Ambassadors. The target was $16,000; I don’t know yet if it was met.

The gigs were fun and comfortable, and I really enjoyed doing them. Friday night was musically rougher, but the between-song patter was livlier and more funny. Saturday night was tighter musically, but a little less warm. The audiences were smallish – maybe 60 to 80 people each night – but appreciative and involved.

The traditional single-pack-of-incense-for-charity auction brought $400 Friday, and $500 Saturday. (J owns Prasad Gifts – which distribues some of the best incense in the world, by the way – which donates incense to sell.) The record was set last year, when some generous soul gave $1,200 for a single pack of Prasad Incense.

Saturday night, Bread brought his mom and the three of us went out for dinner before the show. Nanner said she’d enjoyed herself, and it was great having the two of them in the audience. After the gig we went out for a cocktail and we fed her a white russian. Since she never drinks she was a little giggly – okay, a lot giggly! – on the drive home. She’s so cute, that mother-in-law of mine!

My favorite moment was Friday night, when, after I sang my solo verse in Amazing Grace (Jai Guru Deva), a guy in the audience bust out with two quickly truncated but extraordinarily sincere handclaps right in the middle of the song. It was cute, and totally flattering, and made my night. (A told me later that he’d been on the edge of his seat every TBe I went off a little. I love to hear about that shit. Love it. I mean, how can you not feel kindly toward someone who is so clearly moved by your craft?) I also just really enjoyed playing with J and Snow and TB in particular, because they’re fun on stage what with the meaningful looks and winks and grins while playing. Actually, J makes a lot of funny faces at me, but I like singing with him. TB and Snow are just consumate performers and great to be on stage with because they see and hear everything.

All in all, a wholly satisfying endeavor – and for a good cause, too. I feel really quite in synch with the season and the giving and those less fortunate. And all that crap.