So I arrive into Washington D.C. on Saturday, January 17, 2009. I attended a Gala that featured my label mates Kindred The Family Soul. Had a chance to hang with Charles, Bruce, Thornell, his sister Denise & Deborah. A lot of laughs. The funniest thing was watching people take photos with a cardboard image of President Obama. Hilarious.

So the next day I attended a brunch put on by Tone Walters & later that night I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Mitchell & his wife MaryAnn, such beautiful people. They were a part of our entourage that night which included Bruce, Brenda, Thornell, Tony, Denise, Deborah & myself. We all sat at a circle table & carried on in multiple conversations, at times we were paired off & then at times in a full circle discussion.

I performed, “If This World Were Mine” in tribute to Marvin Gaye as part of the “Welcome to D.C.” events. Now as I mentioned earlier about people taking pictures with a cardboard image, well at this event people were dancing with the cardboard Obama… Crazy Funny!!!

Monday, the 19th, I was scheduled to perform @ the Dream Makers Ball which was honoring Reverend Al Sharpton & John Lewis, but upon arriving at the venue for sound check, I was informed that it was canceled Sooooo, that meant that we could make it over to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Gala on time, So that was the plan. AND that was an enjoyable time. I was able to reconnect with some of the people I met in NY who are a part of the TMCF. I met some very nice people.

So I was aware that I had to be up early on the 20th due to the fact that a lot of the streets would be closed, so the driver needed to get me there before that took place. BUT upon me waking up to a text from the driver informing that he had arrive to pick me up…. I received a text from Steve McKeever which read, “There’s a ticket for u under your name at hotel, Hyatt, 10th & H” . Now mind you, I was under the impression that his text was in response to my asking him about a party the night before, but then Thornell called me to inform me that the ticket was for the inauguration.

So I jump in the car, go pick up the ticket & get dropped off as close as I could. Now I had a Yellow Ticket, which would place me just left of center right up front. BUT I found myself in a line that had to have been half a mile in 20 degree weather. My toes & finger tips were freezing. I made inside the gate in perfect time. 

The amazing thing about physically being there to witness the Inauguration of the 1st African American President was not the number of people that were there, it was the variety of races & nationalities that were there. When I would look behind me, it was an endless “sea of faces” & the majority of people were standing & had been standing for hours. I realized in that moment that we in fact do not live in a racist country & that there are just SOME racist people living in this country. 

It was a pure example of millions of people rejoicing with those that rejoice. I saw a unified people. Although I know that those who were there are not the total US population, but it that energy out there was purely positive. Powerful. When people agree.

I then walked over to the hotel where I was scheduled to perform later in the evening. The “We The People Celebration”… While in the hotel I run into an old friend from NY, Craig, he came in with Don King, who once Craig introduced us, he began an authentic Don King chant, as a handful of photographers were snapping photos of the 2 of us, ” This is Tony Rich everyone, a wonderful artist, we’re about to go all over the world & make plenty of money.” Then he says to me, “Can’t nobody get that money like me…” Mr King is hilarious.

Fast forward to the Gala, So there we were, our party crew, “Myself, Bruce, Brenda, Thornell, Mike, MaryAnn, Cindy(The Cougar) & friend, Wayne”… We talked, had a drink & made our way to our table at which time, BeBe Winans, Melinda (Brendas sister) & Stephanie Mills (51 years old & rocking it)… Yo Ms. Mills pulled me on the dance floor… : )

I performed 4 songs, one of which was “The Dream Is Real”, a song I wrote & recorded for the “Change Is Now” Inaugural CD on Hidden Beach Recordings. After the performances, we just had FUN. Its so cool having a great time with great people. Kells did a good job at helping things flow… : ) And Nina just straight MISSED OUT!!!

So check out these photos from the TMCF Holiday event in NY (December 16, 2008). We had a great time!!! So much fun. Vic & I were out numbered by beautiful women. So unfair… LOL 

Whats up Fam… Haven’t posted a note in about a month. So let me upload some info for you. Since my last posting, I had a birthday, at which time I was traveling. After that I made it back to Atlanta, slept over & then I drove up to Columbia, SC for a performance. A short 15 minute set. Yo, I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of my label mates,,, Kindred, The Family Soul… Cool people. We all performed at the same event

I met a very talented artist  by the name of Victoria White. She handed me a copy of her CD & I listened to it on my drive back to Atlanta… I was so moved & amazed by her voice, musicianship & songwriting…

I stayed in Atlanta for a week before I had to fly out to LA for a series of meetings. In which all were very productive & enlightening. I had a chance to attend the pre-opening party for the Grammy Museum. Such a cool place to visit, for all music lovers. The museum holds a lot of history.

So now I’m in Atlanta, flying up to NY on Tuesday for a performance with TMCF. Thats going to be fun. This performance will be facilitated by a band configuration that myself & my drummer refer to as a “3 Piece Snack”. Me on keys, Vic on drums/Percussions & Wyz on Key bass/keys…

This will be fun starting in the airport, becuz Vic is hilarious!!! I’m sure I will be laughing the entire flight. Checking back in from NY. Later Fam…

This past weekend I traveled to Chattanooga & Shreveport to do a couple of radio show performances. In Chatt, the line-up was myself, Noelle Gourdin & Urban Mystic. Yo, those dude can sing & perform. 

In Shreveport, I shared the stage with Jon B. & Leigh Jones… Leigh pulled me out on stage to be her prop. Sanging girl… Amazing voice! Jon did his thing as well.

I sung the National Anthem & also performed 2 songs @ half time. A different type of experience. Mad fun!! After half time, Charles & I were sitting in the bleachers watching the remainder of the game, so people were complimenting me on my performance then all of a sudden, I spill my cup of Gatorade in my lap… RED GATORADE… I’m sitting there like a kid, pants soaked… LMAO!!!!

Charles cracked on me the whole night saying, “Tonys on punishment, he can’t have anything to drink with color…”

So here are a couple of pics from the listening party, after the game.

It was a true pleasure to be a part the Thurgood Marshall College Fund event in New York. I flew into to NY on Sunday, the 26th of October. My friend & drummer Vic, met me there, We grabbed a bite to eat with my friend Kris. I woke up the next morning, had lunch with my friend Maddie, whom I had not seen in like 8 years or so. Vic & I did our line check around three, then the event started at 7pm.

The room was filled with a lot of great people. I was the Special Surprise Guest Performer…. I performed “Part The Waves”, “Moving On” & “Nobody Knows”…

Touched down in LA. Performed @ The Taste of Soul event on Crenshaw. It was HOT!!!!!. Checked out Leigh Jones performance… that girl can sang!. Ran into Kenny Lattimore as well, one of the nicest people I’ve met in the biz.

The following week, I stopped by Al B. Sures radio show. Thats one cool brotha, laud back energy. We chatted about the music, the industry and of course the ladies.

R-Dub (the program director) is mad cool.

G.Black (Hidden Beach) & I hit the R&B Live event in Atlanta, sponsored by Lincoln… pit on by J. Carter. Common did his thing that night. 

Yo Fam!!! I can only describe the experience as ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!

My first night in Memphis was mad fun. Charles (Hidden Beach) & I went to dinner with Willie Gregory (Nike) & his attorney, these two guys are hilarious but yet such incredible people.

My homey Charles & I hit the ground running @ 7 am yesterday morning. I performed live on a TV morning show, performing live, “Part The Waves” & “It Would Be A Sin”… I was also interviewed by the host. From there we drove straight over do a video interview with Stan Bell, ultra cool brother over @ KJMS… Then Stan took us over to Overton High School, one of two schools where he teaches in additional to doing the mid-day drive on radio. I spoke to two classes. Incredible. Then from there Charles & I went over to Lemoyne Owen to meet & greet some of the students & Dr. Hedgeman. From there we hit a Subway, ate, changed clothes then straight over to the venue for the event…

Ok, I’ll check back, shuttle’s here… I gotta get to the airport. Flying to LA today.. I gotta tell yall about Overton High Schools piano room & about the BEEP Event…

Later Fam…