http://victorfields.com/news.html Victor Fields: Blog Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Fri, 18 May 2012 01:27:17 -0700 http://victorfields.com/news.html#66
I didn’t get a chance to watch the game until late in the evening. I had done my radio show at noon and spent the rest of the afternoon writing. Miraculously, I managed to sequester myself from the Internet, TV, radio and any football conversations until around 8 PM. My daughter and I heard the flub and our heads snapped around in disbelief: "Did you hear that?". I hit the rewind button to listen again ”¦ oh my goodness.

Now I may catch some flack but I feel sorry for Christina. I’ve sung the National Anthem several times at professional sports events. The margin of error is zero. The very first time I sang the anthem in a stadium was at an Oakland A’s baseball game. During pre-game sound check, I was taken aback by how huge the stadium looks from the playing field. But the most intimidating factor was the 3-5 second delay between what I sang into the microphone and what came out of the stadium public address system. While I was singing the second line, I was hearing the first line I had just sung practically at the same time. It was very disorienting to say the least and if you don’t stay focused you WILL get lost.

Another high stress moment was when I sang the US and Canadian anthems on opening day of the new Brewers new stadium in Milwaukee. Or when the Golden State Warriors were hosting Shaq’s Los Angeles Lakers. I kept tripping on how BIG that dude was up close and personal.

Still, I can't fathom the pressure Christina was feeling. or how crushed she felt afterwards. To have 80,000 football fans staring down your throat or a hundred million people watching you TV as you sing the national Anthem. Yikes! I'm just saying from experience that the “Star Spangled Banner” is not an easy song to sing a capella. Even in the shower for that matter.

Many singers have crashed and burned in the attempt (remember Roseanne Barr and Carl Lewis?). I once made the mistake of singing “who’s broad stripes and broad stars” once. There was momentary confusion on some faces in the crowd. At the end came the customary applause, cheers and whistles. The audience obviously forgave me but I was embarrassed, of course, and pissed because I let my nerves get the best of me.

I remember seeing Christina when she was opening for TLC about 10 years ago. A friend of mine was traveling with them as a videographer and was raving about this little girl who was knocking people out city after city. So when they came to Oakland he shot me a couple of tickets. He was right. She had a powerful voice, incredible range and you knew she was destined to become a star.

But I have to ask: what is it about the “Star Spangled Banner” and singers? It’s not a concert. It’s the National Anthem. All singers have a nuance or some quality that distinguishes one from the other. And a well placed vocal run or phrase (i.e., Marvin Gaye or Whitney Houston) can be exhilarating and make the hair stand up on our respective necks. But too many vocal runs and you just might lose your way.

What happened to Christina is a wake up call for all singers who will someday have the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at a sporting event. It is a great honor. Yes ”¦. the cameras are there and all eyes are on you. And yes ”¦ that’s you on the jumbo-tron or the big screen. But it’s not a concert or a talent showcase. It’s the National Anthem. And people in the stands paid to see the game - not you. Be respectful of that and check your ego at the door. Sometimes less is more.

To err is human and, if we are blessed, we get a second chance. Christina is scheduled to open the Grammys this Sunday (2/13) as part of a tribute to Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. The Washington Post calls it “a much-needed image rehab after the Super Bowl fumble heard round the world”. I don’t know about all that, but I’m taking my family to the Grammy broadcast. We’ll be in the audience (no Grammy for me this year ... ha ha) having a great time. It’s going to be a fantastic night! Christina made a mistake. Let's move on.]]> http://victorfields.com/news.html#66 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0800 The Sound of the Bay - Victor Fields - Blog http://victorfields.com/news.html#65
Once upon a time, up and coming singers would go to nightclubs to learn “how” to sing. Sit down, order a drink or two. muster the courage to write their name, the song they wanted to sing, and their key on a cocktail napkin. The waitress would discreetly deliver the napkins she collected from all the singers and musicians in the room and deliver them to the band leader. Then you waited. After the break they might call you up. They might not. It was a rite of passage.

“When Sunny Gets Blue” was my signature song the night we went out for drinks at a supper club in Oakland. John "Buddy" Connor was swinging the place and everybody was having a great time. I didn’t need the hostess’ help whenever Buddy had a gig. Buddy was a great singer, a local legend, and a generous human being. Whenever, he saw me in the audience he would call me up and let me get some work in. Sometimes that wouldn’t work because he had poor eyesight and he wouldn't see me.. But tonight we were sitting close to the bandstand and he acknowledged me with a wink.

Sometime into the set there was a commotion in the back of the room. I looked around to see that the legendary Rawls had just walked through the door. Dressed as sharp as a banker in a dark blue suit and tie, he made his way to the bar shaking hands and flashing that huge smile, Then I heard, “Ladies and Gentlemen ”¦ welcome to the stage an up and coming singer ”¦ Mr. Victor Fields ”¦ Mr. Victor Fields everybody”¦ give him a warm round of applause.” As I rose from my seat, I noticed that my knees wouldn’t bend. I tried to keep my composure but my heart was trying to pound its way out of my chest cavity. What made it worse was when I got to the stage my mind went completely blank! All I kept repeating to myself was:“don’t look at the bar. Lou Rawls is over there."

I grabbed the microphone and I couldn’t feel my hands. I screamed into my head: “GET IT TOGETHER!!!” Then I turned to the band and called the song: “”When Sunny Gets Blue” in F”. Right song. Wrong key. I was losing it man! I sing it in the key of G — a whole step higher. Too late ”¦ the band was playing the intro.

If you’re not familiar with the song, “When Sunny Gets Blue” is one of those timeless ballads and absolutely a thrill to sing. It was a hit for Johnny Mathis in the late 50’s and continued to be the favorite of great voices like Anita O’Day, Nat King Cole and, most recently, Will Downing. Here are the Lyrics:

"When Sunny gets blue, her eyes get gray and cloudy Then the rain begins to fall
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, love is gone so what can matter? No sweet lovin' man comes to call

When Sunny gets blue, she breathes a sigh of sadness Like the wind that stirs the trees
Wind that sets the leaves to swayin' Like some violins are playin' Weird and haunting melodies

People used to love to hear her laugh, see her smile That's how she got her name
Since that sad affair she's lost her smile, Changed her style Somehow she's not the same

But memories will fade and pretty dreams will rise up Where her other dreams fell through
Hurry, new love, hurry here To kiss away each lonely tear And hold her near when Sunny gets blue

Hurry, new love, hurry here To kiss away each lonely tear And hold her near when Sunny gets blue"

So here I was about to destroy up one of the greatest songs ever written brfore a room full of people and Mr. Lou Rawls.

Then something magical happened. ”¦. It’s like when a plane is turned on auto pilot. I closed my eyes and suddenly lost track of all time and space. I came back somewhere in the middle and left again only to return for a signature ending. The music ended and I stood there with my eyes closed. Silence. Not a sound. I began mapping my escape route. I’d keep my head down, walk straight through the audience and out the door as quickly and directly as possible.

Then the applause came. When I opened my eyes, I was surprised to see people standing and clapping. Even Lou Rawls was standing at the bar clapping and smiling. I walked off the stage to pats on the back and congratulatory remarks. Lou Rawls was in the house and I had somehow made Oakland proud. Buddy Connor was next to him grinning like he was somebody’s proud poppa that night. Lou shook my hand and growled through that legendary smile: “Victor Fields ”¦ the man with the golden voice!”

We talked until finally he acquiesced to repeated requests to sing. Finally he walked on stage much to everybody's delight and served up “I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water Than Sleep In A Hollow Log”. A few more cocktails and he was gone, An early flight the next morning to another city, another audience.

Later that night when the show was over and the band was breaking down, I walked over and thanked Buddy for calling me up on stage while Lou Rawls was in the room. He looked up at me with a serious look on his face, and said "I wouldn’t have called you up if you couldn’t sang”. So ended one of the best nights of my life.

Happy Birthday Lou! A true gentleman of Jazz! .... "Yeah Buddy!"]]> http://victorfields.com/news.html#65 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0800 The Sound of the Bay - Victor Fields - Blog http://victorfields.com/news.html#63 She ordered the “toll free special” — buy one and get one free. She told me she had never heard of me or heard my music but, when she saw the van, none of that mattered. When she saw the “Thinking of You” CD on the van or, “eye candy” as she called it, — not only did she want to have all my music but she said we got married. We laughed as she shared more of her story. I thanked Dorothy and told her that I wished I had a few thousand more fans like her! She said she’d make sure to spread the word...]]> http://victorfields.com/news.html#63 Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 The Sound of the Bay - Victor Fields - Blog http://victorfields.com/news.html#62 Also, for a limited time fans who see the van or receive a flyer from one of the N5 Street Team can buy 4 CD’s and get one free by calling 888-899-9100. I call it the “toll-free” special. I return each call personally and, for $29.99, I autograph all four CD’s and add an autographed photo.]]> http://victorfields.com/news.html#62 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 The Sound of the Bay - Victor Fields - Blog http://victorfields.com/news.html#61
First of all, if you haven't been here in a while then you're experiencing the new website for the first time! Hope you like it. Make sure to drop some love in the GUESTBOOK.

Next year - 2009 - is another milestone. It marks ... are you ready for this? ... the 10th anniversay of "Promise"! My very first CD!

To get the party started, we're launching a "lifestyle" campaign in Los Angeles on April 15, 2008. The centerpiece of the campaign, the entree so to speak, is a shrink-wrapped vehicle: "The VF Jazz Express" designed by none other than PHATEFX, Inc. If you've got some time, I've posted some pics. Go to "PHOTOS".

In conjunction with "The VF Jazz Express", N5 International Entertainment Marketing and their incredible street team are armed with CD samplers, posters and flyers ready to take the "Sound of the Bay" directly to the people.

We're also digging up old photos, video footage and demo tapes - even the demos I sent to Kashif back in 1998. And there's more...

Just finished a remix of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" produced by Gil Small aka "Thelonius Funk", mixed by Nelson Braxton (Braxton Brothers) and mastered by Ken Lee. Still smooth but funkified.

You know there's more...But it will have to wait until the next time...Be blessed. Yours Smoothly]]> http://victorfields.com/news.html#61 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 The Sound of the Bay - Victor Fields - Blog http://victorfields.com/news.html#58
Reading the article (paraphrased in PRESS/REVIEW) made me sit back and reflect. On Oct 5 a bus load of fans came down to the Sugar Bar in Manhattan from New Haven, CT. The bus was sold out a month before the show. When the bus sold out people drove.

Three weeks before the show, every seat in the club was sold. I learned later that we probably could have filled two buses if we hadn't already exceeded the seating capacity of the club. (I was told an estimated 30 or so people were turned away at the door.)

The real deal: you can visit every record store in New Haven and you won't find any of my CD's. I've never performed there. No radio or media coverage either. Yet the majority of the people on the bus have been fans for years and owned at least one of my CD's.

It all started when my sister-in-law, Katurah, played my first CD, "Promise", in her car back in 1999. I remember the phone call: "I got my girls in the car and they're LOVING your CD! They want a copy!" And through word of mouth, she's been selling my CD's out of her house ever since.

Katurah was selling CD's in bunches and saying, "folks in New Haven are loving your music!" I didn't realize how much they loved it until a visit three years ago. I was standing in line at the New Haven Post Office and "52nd Street" was playing on an employee's boom box. Blew my mind ...

They told us that if I got anywhere near New Haven to let them know. Manhattan was the closest I could get and, bless their hearts, they chartered a bus! I also met a fan who flew up from Florida with his father-in-law! Another drove with his wife from Pittsburg!

I remember some advice one of my music mentors, Buddy Connor, gave me early on when I was deciding whether or not to quit my day job and devote my life to music. Buddy is no longer with us but he said, "Put the music first and the music will take care of you".

So I continue on this beautiful journey falling in love one song at a time. Always putting the music and my fans first.

As I watched the folks step off the bus from my dressing room on the third floor of the Sugar Bar I felt goosebumps. I am thankful to Regina, Katurah, Veronica, my New Haven family and fans around the world who are my inspiration.]]> http://victorfields.com/news.html#58 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 The Sound of the Bay - Victor Fields - Blog http://victorfields.com/news.html#57
But being on the road has been full of so many new and enriching experiences. I'm tired. That's a fact. But tomorrow this time I'll be home in my bed and chillaxin'.
A special thanks to all the fans in Charlotte, Roanoke, NYC and Reno for the love. I hope to see you all again soon. I want to thank all the wonderful musicians I had the opportunity to work with as well. Many blessings to you all. I'm heading home tomorrow. Until the next time ... yours smoothly.]]> http://victorfields.com/news.html#57 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 The Sound of the Bay - Victor Fields - Blog http://victorfields.com/news.html#56 http://victorfields.com/news.html#56 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 The Sound of the Bay - Victor Fields - Blog http://victorfields.com/news.html#54 http://victorfields.com/news.html#54 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 The Sound of the Bay - Victor Fields - Blog http://victorfields.com/news.html#55 http://victorfields.com/news.html#55 Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 The Sound of the Bay - Victor Fields - Blog