Of CDs and cotillions

Wow. The CD-release party, my big night at the Bitter End, is over and done. I'm still savoring all the good vibes I got that night. But I have to tell you: I was a mess.

Luck would have it that I'd wake up with strep throat two days before. And since Andre Fratto convinced me in my time of need that garlic cures all ills (and any ills known to man, for that matter), I reeked to high heaven.

Some advice: Do not subscribe to the medical beliefs of your Italian-roots-proud producer.

Some reflections: The night felt kind of like prom or cotillion, minus the pastel chiffon dress. (And thank God for that. I don't work well with frills.)

It was my short moment in the spotlight, something I'd been preparing for, working toward and dreaming about for months.

And what a night it turned out to be.

There was a full house. A full house! As a start-up musician, that is the biggest luxury you can ask for. A club packed with people there to hear me.

The energy inside the walls of the Bitter End was intense and focused. It was a party and a performance, but the love and support for me (and my career, and my hopes and goals and dreams) was heady and thick. Had you stuck out your tongue, you could have almost lapped it up.

I also had a fantastic band, a group of folks that can make anybody want to get up and shout. David Patterson, Erik Boyd, Greg Norwood and Andre all did an awesome job. And I had the help of some fellow singer-songwriters on vocal back-up: Regi Ransdell, Cynthia Lin and Galia Arad. It was such a treat to play with such a stage-full of talent.

To top it off there were party favors -- "Britt's Grits" -- for everybody to take home. (Thanks, old friend Carey.) If you happen to be one in the crowd who took one of those little burlap sacks home, you better report back and tell me how you cooked them up. Where I come from, grits ain't just trinkets. They's good eatin'!

All in all, the night was a huge success and the perfect way to celebrate the release of my very first album. I went home happy and smiling.

To check out more photos, click here:

Cd Release

Family

My family is about as crazy as Southern characters can come. But I can't help it. I sure am proud.

Tonight is the big CD release, and though I didn't twist their arms to be here, they're all headed into town. There'll be my mom (Danner), my dad (Tony) and my brother (J.D.). Then there'll be Auntie Lee and Uncle Geoffrey, Liz and Vernie (Geoff's sisters), Aunt Nina (my mother's younger sister), Uncle Craig, and cousins Rachel and Elle. I hear that a couple from my parent's church will be here, too.

Wonder if it would have been cheaper if they'd rented a bus?

Anyway, meet the whole clan tonight at 7:30 p.m. at The Bitter End. I'll be the one at the piano, and they'll be the folks in the audience hooting extra loud.

Join us afterward at The Half Pint for the post-show party.

I hear somebody's bringing grits. In burlap sacks. If this concept confuses you, just show up and find out.