Studio Sessions.

Whenever my father had a recording session, he always tried to include me if he could.

Even if it just meant making my way to the studio after school so he could drive me home.

I will admit, yet once again, I had no idea how cool it was at the time.

It was completely foreign to me that most kids were not going to meet the Vienna Boys Choir or sit in on a live recording session for music he had written, and would be the backdrop for a commercial that would play during the Super Bowl.

That I would watch my father conduct a 60 piece orchestra for which he had also written the music.

That I would be able to meet some of the best in the industry.

I was blind to this.

Perhaps because it was all I knew.

I was the product of the music industry.

So much so I didn't realize it.

Had no idea how ingrained this life was inside me.

When I lived in Rome, a friend of my father's happened to be playing a jazz show there.

My dad made sure to get me 2 tickets and told Randy to allow me backstage access.

While attending the show two other Americans were there and asked how I knew about the concert.

I replied it was my dad's friend, and he suggested I should come.

Their jaws dropped open, they informed me that they had been trying for weeks to get tickets.

I matter of factly said I was going backstage after, and once again their eyes widened.

What is the best part about this story, is that I didn't see this man as a jazz legend, I remembered riding a horse where he lived and getting bucked off.

That is how I remembered my dad's friends.

As people.

People who were walking the Earth, just like you and me.

Coincidentally, forgetting the sheer talent I was in the presence of.

Also not seeing how wonderful my father was to make sure I was in the graces of such wonder and awesomeness.

Yet, always making it a point.

In fact after 9.11, there was a small musical benefit being led by a well know late night band show leader with whom my dad had known forever.

He marched right up to him and proudly introduced me.

I wish I had known I should have been proudly introducing him.

He was a marvel.

Humble.

Quiet.

Friendly, and reserved.

I am still finding things out about his amazing life.

A life which I am humbled to have known.

Should we all feel this way about our parents.

I know I do.

Xoxo,

C.