Stung

Saturday, March 24, 2018. The Renaissance Theater in downtown Mansfield, Ohio. Daughter Ellie took this picture. I had just finished singing Why Should I Cry For You? with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra.

What?

Even now, it's hard to believe. How did this happen?

I can trace it back to Thursday, August 18, 1983. I was at Shea Stadium, in New York. Standing in the outfield where Tommie Agee once saved five runs in Game 3 of the 1969 World Series, I watched the number one rock band in the world perform the number one album in the nation, including the number one song in the land, Every Breath You Take. The two-hour show featured a torrential summer downpour followed a timely appearance of the full moon. But it was Gordon Sumner, aka Sting, whose performance I recall the most. "He's the guy every woman wants to be with, and the guy every guy wants to be," I said of the Geordie rocker.

After attending dozens and dozens of concerts, performances, and Sting-related events in the years since, I remain inspired by the life and music of this son-of-a-milkman from Newcastle Upon Tyne. I enjoy all of his songs, which, as the great Janice Pendarvis once said, are both cerebral and visceral. "They give you something you can think about, but they also give you something you can feel."

Long story short: Sting has had a huge impact on who I am. His music has truly been "the soundtrack to my life."

He helped me propose to Daun at Jones Beach, on August 25th, 1988, singing I Burn For You, after I wrote him a letter asking him to do just that, which he introduced with typical flair. "If I sing it, he's going to ask the person next to him a very important question..." Yes, Sting takes requests, if you write persuasively. Our youngest daughter, Ellie was named after Sting's youngest daughter. I've met him several times, and even joined him onstage once, singing Englishman in New York during a soundcheck party.

The fact that he's not filed a restraining order speaks volumes of his kindness. Seriously, when you look at your life, and compare it with the lives of people like Sting, it can be a little sobering. With 16 Grammy Awards and several Oscar nominations to his credit, along with millions of albums sold, thousands of performances in concerts around the globe, and the most appearances by a musician at charity events (Google it), it's important to note that this international rock star/philanthropist once taught English for two years in a Catholic grammar school.

Interestingly, so did I.

But that's where the comparison ends. He went on to fame and fortune as a member of The Police, and beyond, whereas I left my position at St Gregory the Great School in Bellerose, Queens, and pursued a career in pharmaceutical advertising.

But fast forward to December 2017, where I read an announcement about a chance to sing with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra. The article said choose any song, record yourself singing it, and submit the footage as your entry. A few weeks later, I received the happy news.

Fast forward to Friday, March 23, where I met the maestro, the other singers, and the orchestra. We had just 2 rehearsals. Then, on the big night, I was shown to my dressing room (what?). Ellie was in the house, with iPhone in hand. Waiting back stage, my moment arrived. I ran to the mic. The orchestra began to play. And I sang to the memory of my dad, a song Sting wrote about his dad.

And with that, for 5 minutes on March 24, 2018, I felt connected again to Sting. The guy who, by example, challenges me to stretch beyond my own creative expectations. To reach higher than I think I can, and extend beyond my comfort zone. And I enjoyed the honor of resonating with an audience with one song, for one night, and share a memory with my daughter and my father for all time.

If this experience taught me anything, it's that sometimes you need to try something new. I'm grateful to have a guy like Sting setting a creative example, one who pushes me to try and do challenging things like this.

How about you?

Who inspires you to try new things? Is there a creative person who inspires you and your life?

Let me know.