ClearlyVocal

Dreams really do come true. Last night Clearly Vocal trekked an hour and a half south to Lufkin, TX, to see The Manhattan Transfer live in concert. The show was fantastic, of course, but the best part for us was afterward. We went back stage and met them and even sang Java Jive with them! Pictures, autographs, hugs … amazing.

The concert seemed meant to be from the beginning. We purchased our tickets, believing that even if we were called for a gig that night, it would be just as beneficial (if not more!) to see TMT as the money for the potential gig. CV already had a busy holiday schedule lined up, but that one night remained open! We were also able to upgrade our seats to the front row of the balcony the day of the concert! Plus, we had been given permission to go back stage after the concert to meet them! Talk about being excited!

We got to Lufkin early to enjoy a nice meal at Ralph & Kacoos before heading over to the Temple Theater on the Angelina College campus. What a beautiful venue! We took our new fabulous seats and eagerly awaited the beginning of the show.

The stage was decorated with poinsettias and Christmas wreaths loaned by the local Sam’s Club. The orchestra was tuning and looking so impressive, as was TMT band. And then … there they were! Walking out on stage! The Manhattan Transfer! Right before our eyes! Having listened to their music all of my growing-up years, it was so cool to see them performing.

Cheryl Bentyne, their soprano, isn’t able to do their holiday tour this year due to her having surgery recently. Margaret Dorn filled in nicely for her. After the show, Janice Siegel (alto) told us that Margaret learned their entire show in just ten days! Very cool.

They opened with their famous “Happy Holidays” and also sang favorites like “Route 66,” “Birdland,” “Let It Snow,” and for their encore, “Choo Choo Cha Boogie.” They are such classy entertainers and perform with seasoned ease.

After the show, we headed back stage, as were told to do. Thankfully, the Associate Director of the Angelina Arts Alliance met us and knew we were coming. We waited like nervous school kids for them to come out of the dressing room. And then … there they were! Right there! And we were shaking their hands and gushing about the show and asking Janice to teach me how she does her muted trumpet and being the biggest nerdy TMT fans imaginable. And loving every second of it.

We told them that we do their version of Java Jive, except that we do it a cappella. Paul (baritone) said, “Why don’t you sing it for us?” I couldn’t help but ask, “Will you sing it with us? That would be a huge honor for us!” And they did. All the way down to the classic Tim Hauser “yeah.” SO. VERY. COOL.

After the coolest Java Jive ever, we got a picture to prove that all this really happened, and we got their autographs to frame and love and hold and cherish forever. Thanks so much to Janice, Tim and Paul for being gracious enough to visit with us after a long day of travel and an outstanding performance!

Dreams really do come true!

Clearly Vocal backstage with The Manhattan Transfer