OMG! Did I really just sing for David Foster?

Orna Sings! from Orna on Vimeo.

If you saw my last post, you’ll know that we went to see Yamaha’s 125th Anniversary Show on Friday night.

What an unbelievable show!

Elton John’s incredible performance was preceded by Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Kahn, Toto, Sarah McLachlan, Amy Grant, Michael McDonald, Dave Grusin, and more. The show went on for almost four hours! Our friend, Nathan East, did a fabulous job as Musical Director, as did our friend, Randy Waldman, conducting the 70-piece orchestra.

Sinbad kept us in fits of laughter during the many set changes. Then he and David Foster (16x Grammy winner, 4x Oscar winner, Producer/Composer for Celine Dion, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Al Jarreau, Josh Groban, Seal) asked the audience, “who can sing?”

My little ears pricked up; but I would never be crazy enough to get up in front of a) David Foster, b) 2000 people in the audience, and c) a live broadcast feed around the world. Right?

Wrong!

World’s-most-supportive-hubby said you should do it! And despite the pounding of my heart—literally out of my chest—I decided to face my fears and JUST DO IT! A few people had already gotten up to sing and Foster said, there’s time for one more. I had to squeeze past half a v e r  y    l o n g  and shallow row of people—suddenly the fantastic seats we had scored right in the middle didn’t seem so great! Everyone was cheering me on, so I walked up to the front of the stage, told him my name, reminded Sinbad that I used to teach his daughter piano, and proceeded to sing “The Very Thought of You.” A cappella! This seemed the safest bet because I didn’t have to hit any really high notes without knowing that I had picked the right key and would definitely make it, nerves and all.

I was ecstatic that I managed to get through my 30 second time slot without my voice quivering or my face belying the absolute panic and terror that was going on inside me.

I am just proud of myself that even though I hadn’t performed in front of an audience for about four years (my daughter is almost 3 1/2) and I was painfully sober, and this was totally impromptu—with no idea what to sing or how it would come out, I just did it!

After doing that, my impending performance as Queen Esther in the Purim Play at Temple Aliyah should be cake! I feel inspired by watching all those incredibly talented artists sharing their gift. I will push myself to do the best I can and not let nerves or fears get in my way.

The after party was a blast too

I met Michael McDonald and James Newton Howard and got a cool pic with our friend David Paich of Toto.

Also got a shot of hubby, Sam, with his all-time-fav, Michael McDonald.

Strangers, including Elton John’s keyboard player, were coming up to me to say that I did a great job; one comparing me to Diana Krall—so I guess I didn’t totally suck! And that was some of the best after-party-food I’ve ever seen. Mini Philly Cheesesteak Pot Pies (I confess I had 3) and mini Chicken Tacos (3 of those too) were some of my favs. And I also sucked down about 3 glasses of red wine to help me through my state of shock. Three seemed to be the magic number!

I haven’t gone to bed after 3am for a long time (see, there’s number 3 again), so it’s good to know that I’ve still got it in me!

When we got home, we were amazed to find that they had continued to run the live internet stream during my performance, so now I couldn’t even pretend that this didn’t happen! Hubby, Mac whiz that he is, even managed to record it.

Click here to watch Orna’s performance on Vimeo >>

Click to hear Orna’s CD: The Very Thought of You on iTunes >>

Do your fears get in your way?

Join me in my quest; Fear Free Forties? I like it!

 Click here to read more About Orna on OrnaBakes.com >>

 More cool pics from the show