Michele Mele - Blog

About 10 years ago at Gate 403 on Roncesvale in Toronto…

Ron Davis was playing piano and invited me out. I went with my friend and was very nervous. I had on black pants and my favorite pink T-shirt. It had little embroidered roses around the neckline.

What did I sing? I think it was Honeysuckle Rose. I had to do it because I had my first gig coming up in a few months… I was always a piano player. A classical piano player at that!! I wrote music, I taught music, I directed musicals… but I never considered myself a singer! Yikes!!!!

It was fun!! I loved it… I wanted to do more!! Everyone was nice!!

I went back the next week, and then to another club called Sax on Yonge. There was a trio led by the wonderful and talented Julie Michels. I brought one of my originals. I did One Note Samba, and then the next week I had the courage to try out the original… Arms Length. My friend took pictures outside the club. I felt silly, but I wish I had that photo now.

Julie was wonderful and very encouraging and welcoming, not to mention a phenomenal singer!

I think open mics are great. It’s all about being… open!!

Can’t Stop the Passion.

That’s the title of the new show. It’s time.

We had our first rehearsal recently… I’m very excited. I was so worried that I wouldn’t have enough material for the guys to go through. I was copying and photocopying 5 minutes before they arrived… my darling Bernie Senensky, wonderful Russ Boswell and my brother John Mele.

Of course the minute Johnny walks in the door he says, “Let’s eat”!!!! That’s kind of our thing. We have as much fun eating as we do playing!! (hahaha)

I feed the boys at every rehearsal as long as we have time. In fact Bern asked me this time, “Why do you feel the need to feed us all the time?” It’s the bonding thing. Fullfilling all the senses, and doing it together. I think it really makes everyone play better if they know there’s food at the end…sometimes, like today, before we even start!! (Although, I can’t eat before.)

Chocolate, of course, is the exception. ALWAYS chocolate.

So, got into the first song and by the time we got the form straight we were half way through… I had 8 songs ready to go and I think we only got through 3 or 4…but they’re going to be great!!!!

The New York Experience is something that is an encyclopedia unto itself. The “NYE” for me, this weekend, can be described as wondrously surreal and really wonderful.

After arriving Thursday afternoon and making my usual visits to the Maison du Chocolate, Saks, and saying hello to the Park, I went back to the apartment and had some quiet time until my interview on the Joey Reynolds Show. I was scheduled to go on at 12:00 am but they slotted me in at 1:00, so that I would receive national exposure rather than local. Wasn’ t that nice??

George and Myra, the producers of the show, are darling! While in the green room, which is really another series of offices by day, the other guests of the show and staff enjoyed some food, beverages and chatting. I met THE AMAZING KRESKIN!!!! We always watched that show back in the ’70s. He really is amazing and kind, not to mention brilliant!! I also met Chris Rush, the comedian who is also brilliant!! I heard him complain about the hard mozzarella in the fridge and knew immediately that we would be friends!! Finally got home by 2:30 am…

Friday morning walked up to the Upper West Side to get some of the best scones at 73rd and Columbus, then groceries for the after party that night. Husband and friends arrived after a nice warm-up on the deck in the sunshine. I was feeling good!

Relaxing afternoon before show… last minute phone calls… clothing consultations with friends… I’m a firm believer in always wearing panty hose on stage!!!

Showtime!!!! The soundcheck went well and the guys were all happy and in good spirits… they were even willing to do the group hug!!! Yippee!! AS A RESULT… the show went really well. People laughed in all the right places…phew!!! The gift to me was my last song…I didn’t have to think. It just came. We were all in the zone - one of those moments.

Yes, of all places and times in the world the universe gave us one of those moments. One of those moments: all love, all good… no more to say.

There is a strange comfort more calming than a cup of tea, in going over mechanics/technique, while baking.

Nothing gets me more relaxed or focused than slipping in my vocalise CD and baking cookies while I practice.

It’s also quite amazing and helpful to be alone. A rare treat that I can enjoy every time I perform away from home.

gooooweeeoooooeeeeeeoooooooo

I’m really looking forward to this one!

Hey everyone, come sign up to sit in with us at Daniel’s of Nobleton, this Wednesday, June 10. Just leave a comment below, and maybe even what you want to sing…

Daniel’s of Nobleton
12926 Highway 27
(Just south of King Road)
Nobleton, Ontario
L0G 1N0
Canada

Tel: 905-859-0060
Fax: 905-859-0216