wilshire boulevard

Description

I was welcomed to the city of Angels with sand, surf and stars. I had no experience of California but I went straight to Hollywood. There I would witness my dreams of movie stars, fancy cars and mansions. My first day at the studio, before leaving my door. I had to ask the homeless to let me walk down my steps. I soon realized that Hollywood was called Holly weird. Because no one who had a choice lived in Hollywood. Boulevard is a street with crummy hotels and motels filled with temporary dreamers. I was lucky compared to most dreamers; I was invited, I had a job and a place to stay. And like most people in California who have a job; I moved quickly to Venice Beach. As a fifth-generation singer/musician; finally I had an opportunity to use all my skills and talents. Oasis music studio gave my percussion, vocals, harmonica, and trumpet the importance to help individuals put their music on a professional recording. Well-known artists, frequently visited the studio to lay down some tracks. I got a chance to meet my idols and what was more important; they got a chance to meet me. Soon, I found myself playing all over town with artists like Donna Summer, Grover Washington Junior, Billy Preston, George Benson, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Brainstorm, Graham Central Station and Gladys Knight. To my surprise many artists maintained their finance and lifestyles by performing in a country club. These institutions charge their members $100,000 to $200,000 annually. And this goes without saying they had deep pockets. It was a great place for young musicians like myself. My dream had come true and I was living the dream. I could go into almost any club on Wilshire Boulevard and walk-in for free and my drinks were on the house. I remember one day, because all I did was play, meaning work. My boss took me to a car dealer on my lunch break. He pointed out a green continental and said: "If you want to work here you must look the part." I didn't realize it, because I worked so much that I spent very little of the money that I earned. And it took my boss to point this out to me. So I created my image suits, hats and my silver and turquoise from Arizona...a jazz man look. And last but not least a trumpet in my hand. I could have lived in this forever, but in order to grow we must change. We must discover ourselves, challenge ourselves and be confronted with new situations. The next chapter of my life is education, finding my voice and writing my own songs.