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!!!