let's start with a metaphor, shall we?: THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA

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April 11, 2010

THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA

DIXIE CARTER 1939-2010

20 years ago when I lived in Los Angeles, I worked for Tower Records. Let me rephrase that. I worked at thee Tower Records. Located at the intersection of Sunset and Holloway in West Hollywood. A block from Beverly Hills and across the street from Spagos. You get the picture. My constant bliss-out from being surrounded by so much great music was star-kissed daily, by the sheer convenience of geographic location.

I swear this place was the size of a football field, but man I knew that joint like the back of my hand. I worked customer service right smack in the middle- it was my JOB to know it! Over the 2 years I worked there I met and or waited on just about everyone. David Bowie, Liza Minnelli, Elton John, Grace Slick, Steven Spielberg, Bette Midler, Michael Jackson, and George Michael. Whoopi Goldberg used to have me paged to help her personally. It was a super cool gig that netted me about $40 a day, if I could refrain from using my 15% employee discount.

One day Dixie Carter's assistant came in armed with a stack of promotional materials. Dixie had just released an album called "Dixie Carter sings John Wallowitch Live at The Carlyle", and her gal was looking for someone to go around and distribute the materials which were promoting both the album, and an upcoming cabaret show in L.A. Naturally she gravitated toward the little gay boy with orange hair and top-stitched clogs. Just as naturally I agreed to help her out. I approached the assignment with fervor and made sure that the "half-sheets" for the live performance made it onto the walls of every boy's bar in West Hollywood.

I mean it was 1990. Who wasn't watching Designing Women?

I was too broke to go to her show at The Roosevelt, but I got my reward. About a month afterward I received a thank you card at the store. It was from Dixie herself, personally thanking me for helping her sell out the show. I was charmed by her thoughtfulness for sure, though I seriously doubt that I had anything to do with her selling out. I mean it was 1990. Wasn't everyone watching Designing Women?

By the way. That album is AMAZING, if you can find a copy. Thanks Dixie. For turning me on to John Wallowitch. For bringing music to our ears, and smiles to our faces.