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Rhythm and Blues Cruise! There were also informal presentations
But I’d come on this trip to listen, not such as Taj Mahal cooking up an Indian
play, so I went to hear Ruthie Foster. On the curry dish. When someone asked him how
way, I passed the piano bar where a crowd much garlic to use, he said, “I just go by
of people were cheering and holding up the feeling.”
their cellphones, lit up like Christmas trees. And then there was D’Mar Martin, the
At that moment, guitarist/singer Tommy Nightcats’ jumping drummer, talking about
Castro was proposing to Deanna Bogart, his 17 years playing with Little Richard.
who jumped up from the piano, completely D’mar said he’d be playing the way the
surprised. Tommy clapped his hand on his band had rehearsed it, then suddenly Little
forehead and said, “Oh, I’m so stupid, I for‐ Richard would change the beat and
got the ring.” scream at D’mar in front of 30,000 people,
What I loved besides the unexpected “This is your last night.” After the show,
moments was speaking with the musicians D’Mar would unhappily approach Little
during their breaks, and listening to sur‐ Richard and ask, “Am I fired?” Little
prise guest musicians like Shemekia Richard would laugh and say, “Nah, I’m just
Copeland. My favorite event, besides all messin’ with you.”
the great bands, was the Gospel Show Every day was like a carnival, and nost
which had us all screaming and hollering. days had a theme: Most Colorful Outfits
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