I Can Die a Happy Man...

ONLY IN THE DISTRICT...

yeah...so this evening, I had one of the experiences of my life. And, here is the play by play:

So, today, my boy B that works on the Hill informed me that he had heard of reception that would be occurring tonight where Stevie Wonder would be performing. So, I made plans to go up to the Hill...however, I left work early. And, apparently, at work, emails went back and forth as to when my group of friends should meet at the Hill. At home, I did chores, ran errands, and then took a nap. When I woke up, it was 6:50 p.m. I go to check my Gmail and B's status says" My DC family and I are off to see Stevie." So, I freak out! I call him...no answer. Finally, he responds and says that we are meeting at 7:30. Praise God for dry cleaning b/c I was able to put on a fresh shirt and suit w/in minutes and off to the Hill I go. Then, when I get to the Hill, he calls and says "Um...yeah...so I don't think it's open to the public." And, now I'm sitting in my car with heart broken. However, my boy J sends a text and says he is en route to the Hill. When he gets there, he confirms that the event is indeed a closed event. However, he says that he is standing outside the reception room talking to some friends (he formerly worked on the Hill)...he also says that as he was walking in, he saw Chaka Khan outside. So, he planned on just standing outside and people watching. Since I was already there, I decided to join J. I get up to the lobby outside of the room where this "reception" is occurring...and there are people going in. I was indeed jealous, but not hating. As we are standing there, Wynonna walks up and enters the room. And, then J's friend, a Capitol cop says let me see if we can get you guys in. You may not be able to sit down, but you may can stand. So, he says, just follow me in. And, we did. So, we are in.

Turns out...this wasn't just a reception. It was ASCAP's tribute to Stevie Wonder. In fact, they were awarding him with the American Troubadour Award. As I am standing in this small intimate caucus room (with about, I guess 250 other people, most of whom are seated and eating), I get the feeling that I'm about to be in for something special. And, then I look up, and two tables from where I was standing sat Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson. At this point, I'm about to lose it. Then, at a table right in front of me was India.Arie. Still, I had no idea what was about to happen. So, the program starts...and then it happens:

First, the famous trumpeteer John Faddis performs Sir Duke.
Then, Joan Osborne performs You are the Sunshing of My Life.
Then, Brian McKnight performs Lately.
Then, Wyclef Jean performs Master Blaster (and he was gangsta as he freestyled about the war until his guitar was ready)
Then, India.Arie performs
Then, Wynonna performs Signed Sealed Delivered
Then, jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves performs
Then, Ashford & Simpson perform their hit You're All I Need to Get By
Then, Chaka Khan performs Tell Me Something Good
Then, Smokey Robinson performs Tears of a Clown
Then, Tony Bennett performs For Once in My Life
Then, Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder perform the duet For Once in My Life
Then, Stevie Wonder performs My Cherie Amour, Ribbon in the Sky, Overjoyed, AND I Just Called to Say I Love You, in addition to a song that he just wrote two weeks ago and has never performed.

Yeah...you read that right. I was done after Wyclef...and literally felt like I was about to pass out after Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder performed. I'm talking about my knees were shaking and I was trying to contain my happiness and awe. And, I'm not one that gets starstruck. But, the experience was completely surreal. And, I'm still on Cloud 9. Only in the District can you have such an event, which was also attended by numerous members of Congress and the Armed Forces (yeah, I even saw one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff).

Anyways, I'm on my way to bed...but if tonight is it...I'll die happy!