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Sunday, April 6, 2025
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Was David Letterman Punished by Emmy Awards?

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Was Dave Letterman punished by the Emmy Awards?

It sure seems like it. Until this year, Letterman’s talk-variety fests have always been nominated for Outstanding Variety Series. In the years when hosts have been nominated individually, Letterman’s name was always on the list.

This year, he’s been omitted. Only Letterman’s directors gained nominations. Otherwise, zilch.

Of course, this was the year when Letterman was rocked by scandal involving extortion and the on air admission that Letterman had sex with women on his staff. At the time Letterman seemed like he’d managed to handle the brouhaha by getting “in front” of it. But apparently the whole business didn’t go over well with the Emmys.

The Emmy committees obviously also didn’t care for Jay Leno’s behavior during the whole Tonight show debacle. Leno was totally ignored this year even though he had two shows to choose from. It’s especially embarrassing since the Emmys are on NBC this year. But that had little impact apparently on the committees.

Emmy Awards Honor Conan, Snub Jay AND Dave

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The 2010 Emmy Award nominations are out. And guess what? Conan O’Brien‘s short lived version of “The Tonight Show” got several nods including Best Variety series, and writing and directing mentions. But Jay Leno–in two shows– and Dave Letterman–got pretty much zilch.

Leno’s “Jay Leno Show” and his “Tonight Show” were omitted. And Letterman’s late night show got only directing nominations. The nominees for Outstanding Variety series were for Conan, the Daily Show, the Colbert Report, Bill Maher, Saturday Night Live. The Letterman people must be incensed. One can only wonder if Dave’s private life problems seeping into the show didn’t somehow affect what happened here.

For O’Brien the nominations, and the obliteration of Leno, have to be sweet revenge. Also the Emmy telecast is on NBC this year, on August 29th. Imagine if O’Brien wins–just the thought of it is too tantalizing.

Other Emmy nominations — there are zillions of them–went to a host of deserving people including this year’s IT girl, Betty White, as well as Mary Kay Place, Bobby Morse (Mad Men),  and Matthew Fox (Lost), plus two for Jon Hamm (Mad Men and 30 Rock), Peggy and Joan from Mad Men–Elizabeth Moss and Christina Hendricks, 93 year old Eli Wallach (please–he should win!) and of course a raft of nominations for 30 Rock and Glee.

Plus–HBO got over 100 nominations. Is that possible? Well, they have True Blood, Al Pacino in the Kevorkian movie with that entire cast, The Pacific, etc. Showtime also did well with Nurse Jackie.

http://www.emmys.com/sites/emmys.com/files/62ndemmys_noms.pdf

Harvey Fuqua, the Man Behind Motown, Dies at 80

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I am heartbroken to report that Harvey Fuqua has died of a heart attack at age 80.

A splendid person, a real gentleman, and just a good guy, Harvey was the man behind Motown. He was first the leader of the Moonglows in the 1950s, and wrote the hit “Sincerely.” But then he went to work for Berry Gordy at Motown.

Fuqua’s jobs were myriad–writing, producing, and teaching the Motown acts how to behave in public. His best pal was Marvin Gaye, whose records he produced. Both he and Marvin wound up marrying Gordy’s sisters, respectively, Gwen and Anna. Harvey also worked on dozens of other Motown hits, including many with Johnny Bristol including his classic “Hang On In There Baby.”

Harvey’s place in R&B history cannot be overstated. The fact that it took so long to get him into the Rock and Roll Hall of (Shame) Fame is a…shame. But he was a trustee of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in its heyday. A big man, with a rolling gate, and penchant for golf, he didn’t pull punches.

A few years ago I was in the ticketing office of the R&B Foundation’s Pioneer Awards with him. Someone called from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame demanding tickets–and good ones– to the Pioneer Awards. Said Harvey: “Let them sit in the back, where they put us for their show.”

And that’s what happened.

Harvey, you will be missed, missed, missed. God speed. I mean it, “Sincerely.”

Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono Surprise Ringo Starr on Stage at Radio City

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What a night for Ringo Starr: Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono put aside their usual differences and surprised the ex Beatle on stage at Radio City Music Hall for his 70th birthday on Wednesday night.

McCartney was a total surprise to Starr–he appeared at the end of show, strapped on a guitar and launched Ringo’s band into the Beatles’  “Birthday.” It was historic since the Fab Four never played the song live anywhere. Tonight, Ringo played drums and Radio City was like Shea Stadium in 1966. McCartney was spot-on, too. Brilliant.

Just before that, Ringo had been celebrated by a raft of stars and musicians at the end of “With A Little Help from My Friends,” his Beatles signature song. Suddenly on stage was Yoko Ono, looking grand in a white hat, and boogeying like she was half her age. At one point, Ono grabbed a mic and signaled for it to be turned on. Wiser heads prevailed because they thought she might warble. Instead, Ono sweetly wished Ringo a happy birthday.

In the audience was Olivia Harrison, the lovely and loyal widow of George Harrison. Also on hand were Peter Asher, the record producer and long time pal of the Beatles (his sister Jane was once engaged to McCartney) plus McCartney’s lawyer and brother in law, John Eastman, with wife Jody; and Ringo’s stepdaughter, Francesca Gregorini, co director of the film, “Tanner Hall.”

But the stage was filled with stars, and so was the backstage, starting with Keith Richards and Patti Hansen, Steve and Maureen van Zandt, Max Weinberg. Foreigner’s Mick Jones with ex wife Ann Dexter Jones, Nils Lofgren, and Jeff Lynne, as well as Barbara Orbison (devoted widow of Roy and astute businesswoman), Ed Begley, Jr., Apple Records’ excellent chief Jeff Jones, concert producer David Saltz, and Paul’s girlfriend, the beautiful Nancy Shevell, as well as legendary drummer Jim Keltner, and mogul about town Steve Bing.

And surprise! actor Hayley Joel Osment–all grown up and graduating from NYU on August 5th. He doesn’t see dead people any more–but does see a great film career in front of and behind the camera.

When a cake was wheeled out on stage, the audience pushed forward and sang “Happy Birthday.” Perhaps over saturated with birthday wishes, Ringo waved the crowd good night and sang “Happy Birthday to me…” as he wandered off stage.

As for the main show itself, it ran a little less than two hours and was the usual hodgepodge party that Ringo’s All Starr Band endeavors usually are–the musicians are all great, but sort of two hit wonders who create a jukebox effect around the famous drummer. The outstanding moments belonged to Edgar Winter, whose “Frankenstein” is an epic masterpiece. Winter plays almost all the instruments, too, from sax to keyboards to vibes. This man is underrated. Rick Derringer was also very, very good, first playing “Hang on Sloopy,” his 1965 hit, and then “Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo” from almost a decade later. These are consummate musicians.

The show itself was a little Ringo-lite. But maybe as he celebrates 70 Ringo is happy to turn over the showier aspects to his compadres, and just relax. No one can say he doesn’t deserve it. And if you went to Radio City for a birthday party, you got a great and memorable one.

Do we feel old? Why yes: Ringo’s grand kids also came out at the end. But he’s young enough looking that he’s no grandpa. Still think of it: Ringo is indeed a grandfather. Meanwhile, Paul McCartney is such a mensch–he really looked like he was going to cry as he and Ringo hugged on stage. Later I overheard Nils Lofgren–the amazing guitarist–introduce himself to Paul. “You know, I play with Bruce Springsteen, I played on Ringo’s first solo albums,” the legendary musician said to Paul. McCartney looked astonished. “Of course I know who you are!” he said, pumping Lofgren’s hand vigorously.

PS I did run into Sid Bernstein, now 92 and going strong, the original promoter who brought the Beatles to America. He’ s never let them forget it, too. God bless Sid Bernstein. Without his ingenuity and foresight, none of this would be happening now.

Michael Jackson: Defense Lawyer Mesereau Says Juries Don’t Like to Convict Doctors

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Michael Jackson‘s accused killer, Dr. Conrad Murray, may not be convicted so easily.

That’s what Jackson’s former defense lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, suggests in an interview that’s buried in a new book.

The interview is with, of all people, Judge Larry Seidlin, the “crying judge” who made a fool of himself when he presided over the Anna Nicole Smith inquest in Florida. Not satisfied with his two minutes of fame, Seidlin has “published” a “book” called “The Killing of Anna Nicole Smith.”

I’ll skip Seidlin’s sad efforts to get Mesereau to praise him. Certainly, Mesereau slyly ignores Seidlin’s request for compliments. But what Mesereau, a top notch criminal defense lawyer, does say might be of interest. It’s particularly noteworthy since he liked Michael Jackson a lot, and fought hard for his acquittal in 2005.

Mesereau says: “I think that any prosecutor is going to be a little hesitant to go after someone who appears to be just the delivery person” —  in regard to Anna Nicole’s situation. But then he continues:  “You know, any crime requires a certain mental state, a certain form of intent. In law school, you learn about the general intent and specific intent but regardless of what term you use, it does require one to have a criminal state of mind to be guilty of almost any crime.”

There’s a lot more along this line, but Mesereau then answers a question by bringing in the Elvis Presley case–and this is relevant to Dr. Murray as it is to Dr. Christine Ehrosevich, who was Anna Nicole Smith’s doctor.

“Remember, the physician who was prescribing Elvis Presley inordinate amounts of medication was charged with manslaughter and acquitted years ago. So juries, in my opinion, don’t like to convict doctors unless there’s a tremendous pattern of abuse and criminal conduct.”

Mesereau continues, speaking in general circumstances: “Now if the doctor committed malpractice, maybe that belongs in a civil trial, maybe it belongs in an administrative hearing on his license. But I think a lot of people are reluctant to bring it to [the] level of a crime.”

Jackson fans are very emotional about Dr. Murray. But things when you get into a courtroom. Mesereau’s thoughts on this subject cannot be overlooked. I’m sure Dr. Murray’s lawyers are paying close attention to them.

Ringo Starr: Happy 70th Birthday!

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Wednesday, July 7th: believe it or not, it’s Ringo Starr’s 70th birthday. Happy Birthday, Mr. Richard Starkey!

Ringo is often maligned because he wasn’t heavy like John Lennon or George Harrison, or the melodic genius Paul McCartney. But Ringo played those drums like crazy, and still does. There’s nothing like it. If you do listen to the Beatles Mono box set you can hear him doing stuff no one else does to this day. He is not just following along and bashing the kit–what most rock drummers do–but he’s making a musical contribution equal to those of the others in the band.

My particular favorite of Ringo’s from the early Beatles is “Ticket to Ride.” But there so many instances when it’s him– goofy, fun, and probably trying to keep it light– while the three others pondered the universe.

And let’s not discount Ringo’s solo work with Richard Perry–the “Ringo” album especially, still a tour de force. And “Back Off Boogaloo”–it rocks. Ringo’s work ethic is also unmatched. He has all the money in the world, but gets out there every summer with his All Starr Band.

Tonight, Ringo plays Radio City. It should be some party. Ringo, many happy returns

Mad Men May Skip Ahead Through 1964

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This isn’t too much of a spoiler for “Mad Men.”

But it does seem like the folks from Sterling Cooper are going to flash forward a bit through most of 1964.

When we last saw Don, Betty, Roger, Joan, Pete, and Peggy it just at the end of 1963, right after the Kennedy assassination.

But episode 2 of the new season–which begins on July 25th–is called “Christmas Comes But Once a Year.” When I checked with an AMC source, the response was affirmative. This means that episode 1, “Public Relations,” may be set just a little earlier, around November 1964.

The other episodes filmed so far include some I’ve mentioned before and a few new ones. They are “The Rejected,” “The Good News,” “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword,” and my favorite so far, the tantalizing “Waldorf Stories.”

Episode 4, “The Rejected,” is directed by John Slattery, who plays Roger Sterling.

My AMC source is cagey, knowing what a fan I am. “It’s like Matt Weiner has invented a whole new show,” she says.

Interestingly, so far there’s no cast listing for Henry Francis, the character who would supposedly marry Betty after her divorce trip to Reno. Actor Christopher Stanley’s IMDB page hasn’t been updated to reflect that he’s even in this season. Ah, mystery! We’ll have to wait a bit and see if Betty went through with her divorce.

But what a shame if “Mad Men” has missed 1964, the Beatles arriving in America, and LBJ’s run against Barry Goldwater. It’s a year fraught with possibilities for backdrop. On the other hand, Weiner may just want to get on with it, so that a seven year run will take the show to the end of the 1960s–its natural stopping point.

Warner Music Group: No Spin Can Help Them

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I’ve got to say, reading Peter Lauria‘s account of Fred Goodman‘s new book about Warner Music, even I thought I must have been wrong.

The book is “Fortune’s Fool,” and apparently, according to the usually astute Lauria, Edgar Bronfman, Jr. is the man who saved the record business. Lauria falls all over himself to endorse Goodman’s thesis: that Bronfman is a genius who should be apologized to now since he’s also a pioneer and seer.

As they say on the inter-web: OMG. That nothing could be farther from the truth is an understatement. That two journalists fell for it makes it all the worse.

Warner Music in its current incarnation is an industry joke. In the five and a half years that they’ve had the company, Bronfman and Lyor Cohen have developed no artists. They’ve relied solely on artists who were signed before they bought the company. The few one-off surprise hits they’ve had — no follow up. Take poor James Blunt, who will be singing “You’re Beautiful” for the rest of his life, or Gnarls Barkley, still “Crazy” after all these years.

WMG has also managed to lose Madonna, Nickelback, and Paul Simon–the latter not a bestseller anymore but a prestige act who should have been cultivated. Green Day, Linkin Park, Eric Clapton, Josh Groban, Faith Hill, and Michael Buble–all were there well before Bronfman and friends.

For five years the charts have reflected the truth about WMG: a few scattered hits from Craig Kallman at Atlantic Records. But the name Warner Records no longer appears on hits. I know this is very old school, but a successful record company is indicated by HITS-not by layoffs and cutting staff to the bone. Clive Davis and Doug Morris can turn on the radio and hear their HITS from, respectively, Arista/J and Universal Music groups. Edgar Bronfman cannot say that.

Every year for five years WMG stock price has dropped into the abyss. Each quarter, Bronfman gets on a conference call with analysts and answers questions about “possible changes in the digital market” or some such nonsense. He also promises that the “schedule is backloaded” so that the big hits are in the fourth quarter. As usual, we’re waiting:

Last week the charts were dominated by Universal/Interscope, Universal/A&M, Arista, Capitol, and Columbia. And the punchline there is that Capitol is, like, non functioning. Despite constantly teetering on the edge of EMI and Terra Firma’s collapse, Capitol and its subsidiaries are still somehow getting music out there.

Yet, Warner/Atlantic (Elektra was silenced by Bronfman) can barely get the “Twilight” soundtrack into the top 10. It’s a cult movie, but the CD has no marketing. Tom Petty returns after a long silence and isn’t in the top 10. Basically, WMG lives on a country act called the Zac Brown Band. That’s it. Oh yes, and a one off at Atlantic called B.O.B.

But Columbia, with all its faults, has the “Glee” soundtrack, and Train, a group they manage to continue exhuming. Their Epic label has Ozzy Osbourne‘s new hit. Arista has managed to make Sarah MacLachlan a hit again this summer, and kept Alicia Keys alive. UMG has Eminem, Drake, the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and a new Sting album in one week’s time. Disney even has Miley Cyrus.

One could say that Sony benefited from Michael Jackson’s death in unexpected album sales. But WMG owns Warner Chappel Music, publisher of Michael’s own songs. Where was the WMG artists-cover Michael Jackson album this year? No where. I never even heard anyone mention such a thing.

As for the Genius: we’re waiting. WMG stock opens this morning at $4.67, off its year high of $8.02.

PS Bronfman, Goodman and Lauria’s genius, is the same guy who lost $30 million promoting luxury concert events in the Hamptons three years ago with BullDog Entertainment and $3,000 concert tickets. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,329266,00.html#2

Ken Starr: Jailed Celeb Money Manager Gave Ex Wife $750K a Year

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Ken Starr sits in a downtown Manhattan jail, accused of stealing at least $60 million from his celebrity clients like Neil Simon, Carly Simon, Uma Thurman, Mike Nichols, Lauren Bacall and possibly Michael Douglas‘s ex wife, Diandra.

His fourth and current wife, Diane Passage, remains in limbo, sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and rendered an object of vulnerability by paparazzi and tabloids because she was once a part time stripper at Scores.

But there’s a lot we don’t know yet, and neither does Passage, according to friends.

For example, she just confirmed in the last week that she was Wife No. 4, not Number 3. When she married Starr in 2007, he told her he had just two exes–Gail, mother of his son, Ronald, 41, who also runs his companies; and Marisa Vucci, 46, mother of his two younger daughters.

I am told that Starr, 66, has recently owned up to Wife No. 2, Sheila G. Starr, a real estate agent on the Upper West Side with Prudential Douglas Elliman. They divorced in 1991. Sheila Starr, whom I spoke with, is lovely but refuses to answer questions about her marriage. When I asked her if she was surprised about her ex-husband’s arrest, she said, “Yes.”

More interesting, though, is Marisa Starr, who’s been painted as a victim in the Starr saga. Sources say that Diane Passage has only recently learned that Ken was still married to Marisa when Passage became engaged to him in 2006.

Even more interesting: Starr and Marisa only signed their divorce agreement on May 9, 2007–just two weeks before Starr’s marriage to Passage. And Marisa, mother of Starr’s two daughters, got quite a nice send off. She receives $750,000 a year for an unspecified amount of time. There’s no cap on it. In addition, sources say she was still receiving $2,500 a week from Starr and Company until Ken was arrested on May 27th.

“Plus she got a lump sum that’s not on the books,” claims a source close to Passage about the former Marisa Vucci.

Both Sheila Starr and Marisa Vucci Starr may prove to be of some interest to investigators and prosecutors. The period of time they covered with Ken Starr is simultaneous to some of his most twisted business dealings including his handling of the estate of Arthur Stanton and advising of his widow, Joan Stanton, who died last year. Earlier this year Starr settled a massive fraud lawsuit for millions brought by the Stanton family that reached back to 1987.

Additionally, I am told that Marisa Vucci and her divorce attorney, William Beslow–noted for taking high profile cases–have sought to re-open Vucci’s divorce case.

As for Passage, the mother of a 12 year old had several “straight” careers including working with SPIN, Single Parents in Need. According to her bio at the Huffington Post, Passage worked days in an ad agency and nights at Scores to support herself and her son until she met Starr.

The Starr saga continues to unravel with more mysteries. More to come, most certainly…

Bessman’s Blog: Country Music Comes to NYC, Time Jumpers & Ranger Doug Swing

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It was a beautiful night to be outdoors in Manhattan Thursday, cool and comfortable–except one music fan at the third night’s installment of this year’s Midsummer Night Swing series in Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park was afraid of an inevitable confrontation.

“We missed you at the Station Inn,” said Terry Choate, owner of Nashville’s Crosswind Corporation and manager of the night’s star performers, Nashville swing band the Time Jumpers. Sure enough, Ranger Doug, guitarist/vocalist of Riders In the Sky and “Idol of American Youth,” had put me on the list for the TJs regular Monday night show at Nashville’s famed Station Inn bluegrass club. I’d palled around with the Riders–America’s premier cowboy country-and-western band–for three days last month at the Grand Ol’ Opry and the CMA Music Festival, and Ranger Doug wanted me to see the esteemed band of Nashville players who have coalesced into the Time Jumpers as a celebrated side band.

After explaining that I had lost my glasses before driving over to Allison Krauss‘s for dinner and wimped out of driving downtown to the Station at night wearing dark prescription shades, Ranger Doug gave me the rundown on this rare out-of-town Time Jumpers gig.

http://www.thetimejumpers.com/

“We’ve only done about 10 road dates, because it’s hard to get a quorum,” said Ranger Doug. “You have to be a certain number to be the Time Jumpers–eight, to be proper. Otherwise it’s just a jam band and not the Time Jumpers anymore.”

The group was originally formed 13 years ago when founding members started jamming on swing music in the Grand Ole Opry dressing rooms. It now attracts top Nashville stars like Toby Keith, Jimmy Buffett, Reba McEntire and John Rich, who come down to sit in at the Monday night gigs.

It was only the second Time Jumpers road date for Ranger Doug, who just completed Riders in the Sky performance No. 5,962. I hadn’t seen the group in New York since No. 5,354 show three years ago at the River to River Festival; Ethan Coen was there, prompting Ranger Doug to introduce “King of Country Fiddlers” Woody Paul as the star of the upcoming movie “O Brother, Where Am I”–the intro he’s used ever since.

It was a nine-piece Time Jumpers at Lincoln Center, all monster players also including former members of Mel Tillis’s Statesiders Kenny Sears (fiddle), Paul Franklin (steel) and Rich Vanaugh (drums); former Asleep At the Wheel fiddler Larry Franklin, guitarist Andy Reiss, fiddler Joe Spivey, upright bassist Dennis Crouch and vocalist Dawn Sears (Kenny’s wife).

No wonder Kenny looked familiar: I’d just seen him twice last month, too, at the Opry, as he also serves now in Cajun country star Jimmy C. Newman‘s band. With Spivey and Larry Franklin he gave the Time Jumpers a phenomenal three-fiddle front, with Larry Franklin and Reiss flanking on the right and Dawn Sears on the left; Ranger Doug sat back by Vanaugh except when he came out to sing lead on songs like Elton Britt‘s yodel showpiece “Give Me a Pinto Pal.”

Chanteuse Laura Cantrell deserves kudos for catching the Connie Smith quality in Dawn Sears‘ singing. I saw Smith in Nashville as well, at the Opry and at husband Marty Stuart‘s listening party for his fabulous forthcoming album “Ghost Train” (due Aug. 24); the Opry legend said she has a new album in the works as well.

Cantrell, meanwhile, is working on a Kitty Wells album tribute. The Nashville native will participate July 27 in a Nashville flood relief benefit concert at Le Poisson Rouge. Ranger Doug, incidentally, was one of many Grand Ole Opry stars who lost instruments when the Opry House storage lockers took in four feet of water–same with Riders accordionist/”Cowpolka King” Joey Miskulin and Jimmy C. Newman’s accordionist Bessyl Duhon.

Meanwhile, Cantrell’s husband Jeremy Tepper, programmer for Sirius Satellite Radio’s “Outlaw Country,” “Willie’s Place” and “Road Dog Trucking” channels, was raving about David Allan Coe‘s “awesome” show in Brooklyn–which I missed for being in Nashville–and visit to Sirius, where he regaled Peter Wolf and Southside Johnny.

For his part Choate—a former A&R exec at Capitol Nashville during the Garth Brooks era who now also works with Larry Gatlin (he produced his latest album “Pilgrimage”) — and Opry station WSM’s “Inside the Opry Circle” host Teea Goans (he produced her debut album, too), made note that the Time Jumpers will film a second DVD this fall, the first, “Jumpin’ Time” (2006), having garnered a Grammy nomination for “Sweet Memories.”

Of course the group performed the Mickey Newbury classic, along with others by the likes of Bob Wills, of course, Gene Autry, Ray Price, Faron Young, Vern Gosdin, George Strait and Andy Reiss, whose original instrumental “Stompin’ at the Station” left them stompin’ at the Lincoln.

Reiss and Ranger Doug, by the way, have recorded an acoustic jazz album, “Art of the Archtop.”

Old friend Robert Kenison was watching up close, being a fellow music legend. Better known as Troy Sharmel of the legendary 1970s Madison, Wis.-based rock ‘n’ roll show band Dr. Bop & The Headliners (and known to his friends as Beefy), Kenison joined me in heading north to Ashford & Simpson‘s Sugar Bar–after a 10-minute break to listen to two of the 60 Sing for Hope “Play Me, I’m Yours” pianos scattered about the city.

A young girl, maybe six and unable to reach the pedals, enchanted scores of exiting Midsummer Night Swingers and American Ballet Theater-goers from the adjacent Met Opera House at the piano situated outside Avery Fisher Hall. She remained pretty much oblivious to the crowd and its ecstatic applause and ran over to her mother and baby brothers before being coaxed into an encore.

Across the street at Alice Tully Hall, a young woman sang “Memories,” accompanied by a piano player skilled enough to switch to the “Habanera (‘L’amour est un oiseau rebelle’)” aria from “Carmen” when an older lady joined in and then requested it.

More Tuesday…