Such a crazy week!

Monday my dear friend Tommy Stein left us - passing away and breaking many hearts. Check the last 2 entries below for more on Tommy. I have had MANY REQUESTS for memorial service information and any benefit concert plans and I WILL BE POSTING BOTH AS SOON AS I HAVE DETAILS TO POST. I have been in contact with Claudia and she is working on plans as I post.

We hope to have the classic musician benefit memorial and a traditional memorial service for Tom.

On to the rest of the week in Greg's world.....

Vanessa Corielle Porter  June 13th 1988 - June 17 2010

With Tommy passing Monday morning I didn't get to any reflection on Vanessa Porter's service Saturday. I had been working out in Indio and was unsure I could even make it back and forth in time for Saturday night's gig, but a dear friend offered to make the drive - thanks Lucy!

The service was packed. Vernon Porter and his family are very well known in the music community and the Christian community. People from many walks of life where there and Vernon became my hero - watching him deal with such strength and conviction in his faith - God was truly in the room and the service was powerful, moving, real in every sense, yet dripping of the hope we have in a loving God!

I don't think a single parent made it thru the service without many tears; tears of sadness, thanks and conviction. We all have had issues with our kids, all been very human while trying our best to raise them, all grieved over our imperfections and our kids mistakes, all hope and pray the very best for our kids, and all have feared the worst - that something horrible could go wrong.

One dear friend wept for some time just knowing that his daughter had been thru drug issues and rehab - yet somehow survived it all. I could go on for too long - but the point is - this service touched every person in that church in a deep way - many tears were shared and I pray the weight of this heavy load - the loss of a beautiful daughter was shared over a few hundred people - spreading out the pain that might have been overwhelming for just the few immediate family members.

God bless the Porter family - my dear friend Vernon - meet them in their grief and bring extra doses of that PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING!



And saving the least important for last - music oddness in 2010.

I actually did a vocal session yesterday - friend was the contractor - thanks Vang - but add this up to the crazy things a sax player will gladly do to make a buck in 2010! I did a music video last month playing Conga's and singing! I am available to wash and wax your car next Thursday.... HARD TIMES and grateful for any money coming in to feed my kids and keep a rough over head.

Last night was an amazing night at Cafe Cordiele - Rick Braun Jam - every top player in LA showed up last night. I don't know what happened but it was crazy. I had been in North Hollywood for that session and just stayed over for the jam - what a trip. 10+ sax players - included Shiltz and Mark Hollingsworth - Peter White and Blake Aaron Guitars - Percussion guys Luis Conte, Joey Heredia, Foroney - name spelling not my forte - - - - Just trying to say it was the most amazing open jam - accidental turn out ever. SOOO Many players - I got a minute on stage with Peter White and Rick Braun - felt like the good ole days....

Rehearsal starting soon for the B Project - gotta run -

Peace and Hugs to all - I mean that - GREG