Mary Mary
By LMReviews on Apr 26, 2009 in Multicultural Events, Multicultural Media, Multicultural Society
Often when it comes to trying new things we may not be as willing to give a new experience the chance it deserves. Part of being enamored of multiculturalism is being willing to explore different cultures that may not suit the norm. It goes beyond trying a diferent dish at your favorite restaurant or reading a book from a genre that differs from your favorite one.
I have the perfect example that happened to me a couple of days ago. On Friday morning I received a text message from a friend regarding an extra ticket she had to a Mary Mary concert happening the next night. Frankly, because I have been listening to the same ten CDs in my car and only listening to my favorite artists on Slacker Radio online, I just assumed Mary Mary was a new nickname for Mary J. Blige instead of the name of a new music duo. (They are actually not that new, just new to me). Of course in my confusion, I texted her right back and expressed delight at the opportunity to go.
Something told me to investigate this a little further. After all, if it was Mary J. Blige, wouldn’t my friend have just referenced her in that way?
Good ol’ Google, I punched in Mary Mary to find that they are a Christian singing duo with an R&B sound. Since I hadn’t of them, my immediate response was to contact my friend back and decline the offer because 1) I hadn’t heard of them 2) I thought it was Mary J Blige and 3) I felt it might be better if someone who had actually heard of the group would get the chance to see them for free. Then I started thinking about my blog and my emphasis on being open to multiculturalism. Just like ethnicity, food and gender, music and religion are also a culture. So I when to another great site, YouTube, to find video of their music. Among the songs listed, I found one that I had actually heard before.
Now I was convinced. I would go to the show and give these singing sisters with the beautiful voices a chance. I arrived too early and just waited in the parking lot. I love to people-watch so it was easy to spy on all the concert-goers as they arrived. Most of them were African American. Yes the singing duo was African American also. So that wasn’t a surprise. Even the varying age ranges came to know surprise to me. There were singles, couples with and without children and people old enough to be grandparents. There were people dressed like it was a concert with their skimpy attire and those dressed in their Sunday best.
When we finally got in, I people watched some more until the warm-up acts were finished. The duo finally came on and I was very impressed. It was one part concert, one part church service and one part religious revival. I was interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. While I don’t attend every Sunday, I’m no stranger to church service and the natural order of how they function, however, I was slightly disoriented by the church like behavior in a concert like setting. By the varying degree of dress and undress, I wasn’t alone. I was greatful though, that I wore jeans and a sweater. Gotta love a state like Arizona where you can were nice jeans just about anywhere!
I’m glad I gave Mary Mary a chance. I foresee adding them to my Slacker Radio channel in the near future.
I know that this can work both ways. A long, long time ago and what seems like several lifetimes (actualy it was in the early 70″s), I worked as a reporter. This means that I got to cover concerts and interview the artists. So to keep thjis short, on one assignment I covered a Thanksgiving concert at Six flags over Texas featuring Bread. The opening act was Helen Ready. I got off late and missed the press conference but still had lots of time to kill before the concert began. They had two shows scheduled. An hour after I got there, I was in line for a ride and Ms ready and her husband was in front of me. After I introduced myself, we spent the rest of the day visiting. She also told me that after her 2nd show she would give me an exclusive interview because I was so nice to escort them around the park and give them such a detailed history of the place and about Texas. Ms Ready blew Bread away in the first show and half way through her second act, Bread sent word via a spokes person that the weather had turned too cold for them to perform and that theyt have already left the park. Needless to say the crowd was very unhappy. Ms Ready took control of the situation and told the crowd that if it was Ok with them, she would finish her show and them puill out some new material and do a jam session for another 45 minutes. The crowd cheered this anouncement. I got to sit back stage during both shows and when she finished the extended set, I could see she was cold and tired and told her I would understand if she wished to bow out of my interview. Ms Ready told me no she would do the interview. It wasn’t my fault that Bread bugged out. She keeps her promises. I got a great interview and a new appreciation for a singer that I already liked. As for Bread, They made my don’t play list very quickly. To this day I still won’t listen to them.
That is a great story, GW! Your life sounds so interesting. Any autobiographies in the works?
I love artists who appreciate their fans. I bet Ms. Ready win over lots of new fans that night!