Michael and I had booked a gig with a new venue in downtown Seattle called the See Sound Lounge, aptly named for the visual and audio stimulation one receives while inside its walls, and also because from its door, you can see Puget Sound. Never having heard us live, they took a chance booking us for a completely new crowd. The venue itself, as seen in the video had one entire wall of windows, which could be completely opened to the street, large movie screens, comfortable sofas and chairs, and the best specialty drinks around. As Michael and I were setting up gear, a young guy with a buzz cut came wandering in. He immediately walked up to me and asked if I was Hilary. I don't know if he'd seen a picture of me, or if I just "looked the part". It was Brian, of course, and he had two beautiful cameras with which to film the entire show. The experience of performing for an audience as well as the forever-film was interesting, though not intimidating, but it definitely added a different element to the live show. The crowd, also being captured on film, was fun, loud, boisterous.

Although we had over 20 songs on film, we would only be able to choose samples from a couple of them for the final video cut. It is EXPENSIVE to edit film, and Brian was already giving us a good price. Once we decided we wanted portions of "Gravity" and "Calls From Springfield" in the final video, it was time to set up the interview. I was filmed sitting in front of a fireplace. Brian asked me nearly an hour's worth of questions, but again, we would have to be choosy about the amount of interview footage that could remain. In a move I consider to have been the smartest thing we could have done, (especially after seeing how Brian's work turned out) we asked Brian to choose the pieces of interview he felt were most interesting. After all, he makes documentaries for a living! Brian went about working his magic. When it was time to view what he was working on, he invited us to his apartment on Capitol Hill, which housed a well-hidden bank of TV screens, monitors, speakers, and all his various equipment. I still remember the open, gleeful look on his face when he showed us the rough cut of what he was doing. He had PERFECTLY captured moments to go along with the music, and pertinent interview footage spliced between the music takes. Without going overboard, he was utilizing some effects that perfectly enhanced the mood and feeling of the piece. The one problem with the video footage on the CD is that on most computers, the viewing screen is so small you don't fully get to appreciate the beauty of what Brian has done. Some of the small details, evident on a larger screen, are lost. Even so, the final result on the CD is gorgeous, and we are delighted with the result. Putting an enhanced portion on this EP not only made it a more saleable commodity, but it gave listeners something new, and is still a rare bonus for an indy release.

...anyway, now on to the subject at hand...many people have asked me..."What's it like playing up on stage in front of a crowd in this band...last year at the 4th of July Celebration in Faurot Field, there were 10,000 people there, weren't you scared"?

Playing with Hilary and this band has been a life altering experience...it is an experience that should be felt, not read, 'cause words alone don't come close to describing it...you would need a thesauraus with you to find all the words to describe the feeling.....besides the unlimited talent of the band members, Hilary's talent runs far deeper than is seen on the general surface...this is an extended family, more like brothers, sisters, and cousins...some are good friends, some are close friends, some are connected in some cosmic way, and of course there is the underlying love of her music, lyrically, melodically, and the songs are just damn good songs...they are all a picture window into the soul of a person we've all grown to love,....whether as a sister figure, a wife, a fellow musician, the boss, the star, or as a tall blonde singer/songwriter, she is one we all know....

...most of us in the band have been performing for many years, so being on a stage is just part of life, a very good part, but in this band, it's more...it's a desire, a burning deep in your soul, to get this music out there to the people...the last few minutes before we start, is not filled with so-called nervousness, or stage fright, but a desire to play these tunes...sort of like a race horse in the starting gates, itching for that door to open, prancing and pacing, so they can run like the wind once the gates open...sounds corny, but its hard to describe...from the first few notes, a calm settles into your being, and the music just starts to flow, a groove begins, and then you're swept up on the current of the instruments and her voice...ahh, and her voice...it just fits smoothly and completely into the music, weaving a story or imagery, like no other...

...many of you are aware that I have close ties with the band Little Feat, having known them for quite a few years now and being able to call a couple of the band members friends...in the past, when they came to town, people would ask, why the other bands I was in weren't opening for them when they came in the area....well, no offense to the other bands or members, but the original music just wasn't up to par, to be performed on stage with the caliber of Little Feat's musicianship...but in the Hilary Scott Band, I fully and truly believe in the quality and caliber of Hilary's music and of the ability of this group of musicians, and I'd put this band and music up on stage with any group out there now...stylistically, our music is different from Little Feat's but the depth and quality are the same...Hilary is a wonderful person, great writer and excellent musician in her own right, its just a wonder why she hasn't yet caught on, on a much larger scale...but at last, maybe only time will answer that question...

...as most of you reading this know, something in the music has grabbed your heart or soul, in one of Hilary's songs or lyrics, or you wouldn't be reading this now...all we can hope for is that each one of you tell as many people that you know about Hilary or let them borrow a disc or better yet, bring them to a show...let them feel and understand what it is that attracted you to her music like a moth to a flame...yes, she is as good as what you hear on the radio, yes she can stand on stage with the best of them, with no doubt about the ability or the quality...or the being.

So, to simply answer your question as to what its like up on stage...its the closest thing to pure bliss that you can imagine...no egos, no competition, no worries, just wonderful, soulful music...and the smile she gives to us on the stage as we are playing, its a pure rush of unconditional love, for the music, for the person, for the moment...and underlying it all, is the joy of knowing you, the fans, love as much to listen to her music as we love playing it for you...

...well, enough rambling for now, I'm sure you'll hear from me again...till then, see you at the next show...come on up and introduce yourself....we all have one thing in common, and that's Ms. Hilary Scott...see ya....

Hilary's career is taking off, and you can continue to help make it happen. One of the ways you can help is to sign the online petition. The petition is my idea to help speed up the inevitable process of getting Hilary signed to a major record label. My goal is to collect 30,000 signatures to present to major record companies to show that we want Hilary signed and to get major airplay. The story behind the petition is on the main page of the petition site. If you would like tips on how to get more signatures and why I call this my Fraggle Rock Theory, click on the background story link! For those of you who have not yet signed the online petition, click on the link below. And, talk to your friends and family, and have them sign the petition - your vote counts!!!

On the local scene, Hilary Scott and the Band have some exciting concerts coming up. The full band will play at the incredible Martini Bar on Saturday, June 11th. The show starts at 9:30 pm, and there will be two full sets! The cover is only $5 If you haven't yet visited The Martini Bar, you are in for a treat that night. It is a beautiful, sophisticated venue with a state-of-the-art sound system - this will be a night to remember! Visit the Hilary Scott website or The Martini Bar website for more information. The Martini Bar is located in the Peachtree Plaza.

During the week leading up to The Martini Bar performance, please call the BXR request line at 573.874.1023, or e-mail the BXR DJ's at bxr@bxr.com, and ask them to play Hilary's music and plug the Martini Bar gig! In addition, call Y107 at 573.441.9107 or e-mail the DJs at y107@zrgmail.com and request Hilary Scott's music. Y107 was so great in helping promote the Officer Down Concert, even having Hilary and me as guests on the Cosmo and JC show. These stations need to hear from Hilary's listeners to know what a demand there is for her music! A third station to write or call is 101.5 KPLA, 800.480.1015. You can also play Hilary's music for your family and friends all over the country, and ask them to write or call their local station and request Hilary's music. A list of radio stations that have copies of her music can be found on her website.

In the three months I have been promoting Hilary Scott and the Band, I have seen for myself what a cutthroat business the music industry can be, and how tightly controlled it is. Only a handful of people make the decisions of who is played regularly on the air. However, the power of dedicated fans has launched many a career and helped get the true musicians heard! I will write more about this topic in a future article. Thank you in advance for helping to spread Hilary's music and the word on upcoming gigs!

The Hilary Scott Band is also playing the Shelter Garden Concert Series on Sunday, July 10th. The show runs from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Shelter Gardens. This is a free, outdoor concert, and part of a long tradition going back almost 30 years! Nelson Audio is doing the sound and lights, so this will be a wonderful night, with the sound quality we have come to expect from Nelson Audio. So, gather up the whole family, bring a blanket or chairs, and come out and enjoy a nice summer night and fantastic music with your loved ones. (This also happens to be Hilary's birthday, so make sure to say, "Happy Birthday", and take part in celebrating with Hilary!

The Band will be part of another great Columbia tradition, Art in the Park at Stephens College, on Saturday, June 4th at 1:00 pm. This too, is a free, fun and family-friendly event - great for the whole family!