As you know by now the life of a corporate event entertainer keeps me on the road. I just back from Augusta GA for two United Way shows and what a fun couple of shows they were!

When you first land in Augusta, Home of  the “Masters” golf tournament, you notice that the airport itself does not resemble an airport, but a gentrified Southern country club. There is even a putting green. Very southern and very welcoming. I knew I was in for a charming visit.

I often talk about how much I love the South and my home, the United States, and as an event entertainer and world traveler I am speaking from the heart. There is something rich, relaxed and civilized in the graciousness and sincerity that is the evidenced in the hospitality of Southern cities. New York can be exciting and the hustle and bustle of playing Madison Square Garden can be intoxicating, but there is just something about grits with breakfast and a “Hey, ya’ll” that I find soothing. I love the south.

After the Home Depot supply run and pick up the gear at the hotel it’s on to the venue. Bell Hall has been around a while. Elvis has played here. Jerry Lee Lewis has played here. Old play bills are pasted up backstage.  We set both events up and go to “T Bonz” for dinner where James devoured a porterhouse.

The next morning we are up and ready to rock. The first show is  a luncheon kick off event for the United Way. I perform Ray Charles and Lady Liberty to a long standing ovation and the crowd could not have been kinder to me and my work. As an event entertainer, standing on stage and feeling the love as I take a bow never gets old.

Afterwards, as usual, I greeted the group and had pictures made with the paintings. I am a lucky guy.

Then off to the brand new and beautiful Kroc Theatre at the Salvation Army headquarters for a smaller evening show with Stealing Angels  (www.stealingangels.com) and David Nail. (www.davidnail.com).

I was on Ellen with Taylor Swift and was in Japan opening for Fergie and never met either one. I have done so many shows with headliners like Lionel Richie, Queen Latifah, Bill Cosby, Chris Angel and the like and it ended up that our paths barely crossed, so I made a point of introducing myself and visiting with the girls, even though I had not heard of them.

Stealing Angels is a country group made up of Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter, John Wayne’s granddaughter and the third is a descendant of Daniel Boone. And they are adorable, both backstage and onstage. Cute sweet girls. My daughters age, just so there are no misunderstandings. They called me “Mr. Dunn”. Ouch, baby, very ouch!

The girls had energy and talent and I really enjoyed their show. I did not get to visit much with David Nail, but I caught some of his show. Also crazy talented, and very nice backstage. I just tended to hang with the girls. What can I say?

I painted James Brown, (Augusta was his home) One of James Brown’s Daughters, Deanna, was in the audience. She said when I painted the cheekbones and the nose, “she knew that was Daddy,” and started crying. I called her up on stage. What an honor for me to give this gift to the Brown family.

I finished with the American Eagle to “the southern national anthem” ( Freebird ). One of the longest standing ovations I can remember. Then as they cheered I ripped open my shirt to reveal a T shirt underneath that said “Live United”. They went nuts. Did I ever mention that I helped a girl try out for cheer leader in High School? That’s where I learned these chops. I am sure of it.

The next morning I got up coffee in hand as I chatted with my wife over the phone and walked along the Savannah river. James picked me up in the SUV and we headed for the airport. He had been to UPS to send our gear ahead to Vancouver.

He was excited because they have Krispy Kreme donuts here. He said, Boss, I have some good news! ( he calls me boss… I like that…) He had stopped for donuts and noticed the newspaper stand outside. We made the front page!  Yeah!

The hotel would have had “USA today” and we totally would have missed that but for my junk food junkie tour manager. I wonder how many times we have missed that in the past?

What an awesome trip. Onward and upwards!
Cheers.
Dan