This is totally different. My debt of gratitude is too large to be repaid, but I couldn’t be happier to owe so much to so many people. I realized that as I tried to exit the Cox Capitol Theatre to get to Envy, which was equally difficult to leave. Every person I passed on the way out—almost every person I saw from across the room—I wanted to hug and thank for being a part of last night, which, in most cases, was thanking them for being a part of this, for lending us their special talents of just being themselves and doing what they do—for helping create our city inside the city, a cross between an underground, an oasis and a shelter. 

It was present in Brainstorm Lab bringing a crew of five people, starting up early and going all night with us, filming the entire event, streaming it live on the web and then giving it to us so we can relive the whole thing. But it was also seeing Amy Beth dressed up like Wonder Woman,and Hannah and Chris Marney dressed like they stepped off the set of the Pirates of the Caribbean.

It was in seeing Roger Riddle get his third straight Favorite Local DJ award, and remembering those nights upstairs at Liz Reeds when only three drunk people were there dancing, spinning like falling leaves while he played music no one around here knew about yet. It was in Envy at the after party where Riddle was
spinning—from Mos Def's Ms. Fat Booty to Ram Jam's Black Betty (Bam-a-lam!)—as Clyde and Al K!NG had a dance-off, which was punctuated by an unidentified (to me) B-grrl who stepped in and stole the show.

And the musicians. Damn. None of them made a dime last night but they played their asses off. They gave everything like this would be the last show on earth, like it was a birth and the only way we’d know they were breathing is if they screamed. It was also the off-stage times with them last night, and after other gigs, on the street, in the bars, getting to know them as people and having the opportunity to feel proud like a parent when they got up and showed out in front of 600 people.

My own mom (aka Moms) was there with my Mammaw and Pop, and I could see them snapping photos, smiling big. They got it, I think. They understood why we do this. And they weren’t alone. Al King’s mom and dad both looked like they might burst with pride and joy, and rightfully so. "Momenclature”, dh’s mama, was not only there but she came dressed up in a kimono with a bird in her hair (Nomenclature’s “logo” is a birdie), AND she won a $50 bar tab. Shawn from Citizen Insane had his mom backstage—she surprised him after driving from Savannah just to see her boy play.

Then there’s the extended family of friends and fans, which grew for every act that took the stage. They were there with video camera taping the performances, getting candid shots backstage, clenched with nervous excitement on behalf of their people, pulling their eyes away only to look around to see if everyone loves it as much as they do.

And the city grew, is growing, bigger than our admittedly limited focus on downtown. The scene may (rightfully?) situate itself downtown because, as an area, it is the crossroads for our city, but our attention is growing to bring more folks to the table. To have the Rivalry’s crew come out IN FORCE like that then see Stephen propose to Kelsey, to talk to Matt and Annie Moncrief afterward, and remember this one very important fact: none of this matters without people, without family. 

That’s what we have that we didn’t have before. Say what you will about the crazy mojo in this town—it’s there, I know it is—but the one thing that makes all this worthwhile is the people, and there are so many damn beautiful people in this city it makes my heart want to explode. That is why I am so grateful. This is what the gratitude is about. You all have no idea how much I owe you, but you best believe that everything I do from here on out, for as long as I can muster it, will be geared towards showing you how much I appreciate you. And what really excites me is that I know you’ll be doing the same too. This is the beautiful cycle. 

Yes, I know… that’s lame. But it is true and you know it. So, drink it up, y’all. Breathe it in. Hold it. Savor it. This is going to be the time of our lives. We have community and the rest will certainly follow. We do this for each other, to enrich ourselves and our people, and that’s why this is good. If folks don’t want to be a part of this, so what? Let them regret that decision later. This is about us. We’ve built our city, and it’s growing.

Goddamn right it’s a beautiful day.