There are many people whom I can call "People 2008". This year was very bright and full of different things: meets and losses, rises and falls, but there was two events I can mark as "Event 2008". It's the journey to Moscow to see the Keith Emerson Band show (and meet the band members), and it was a debut gig of my band Rising which took its place December, 11, 2008.

so, here are they - People 2008!



Who are they? Let me talk about them :)

Well, first of all - my eternal love and memory to Cozy Powell, the greatest drummer I've ever heard, my source of inspiration and the one example for me! I love you Cozy, wherever you are...

My best mates and colleagues - RISING. Now I can say that this membership is the band of my dream. After two changes, everyone of these guys keeps his place in the band, and I can't imagine someone other on their places! We all together - we are the strong "team" which knows what and how to do, and my life could be empty and even senseless without this band. So, here are they - amazing guitarist Yaroslav Zhmaka, great keyboard player Varvara Koval' and wonderful drummer Boris Kalinin.

I don't know how my journey to Moscow and meeting KEB members could turn without Mari - she became a real binding part between the band, the organizers (they are absent here on the collage but I thank them very much for the things they've done to me!) and my own. It was very nice to meet her after Internet corresponding, and special thanks for the gift I wear as a talisman - Thank you Mari, if you read this ;)

Keith Emerson... I was waiting for his show and the chance to meet him since I heard ELPowell disc first time! And when I've been informed about the Keith Emerson Band gig in Moscow I hadn't doubt: I come and see it, and I did it! I will never forget the great show I saw that night and the things which happened after that! Timur (organizer's assistaint) was asked by Keith about me during the authograph session, then Keith asked me to come and sit down beside him... he was so kind and sweet to me when we talked about his music... and his sign on my dics which gave me a new life. I still remember one frase told by Keith: "It's much better to stay alive - you can annoy people!" :)))

My musical discovery 2008 is Marc Bonilla, a guitarist and singer in the Keith Emerson Band. I've known he's a KEB member and tried to find some info about him. Instead of this, I found two Marc's solo albums - and I fell in love with his music! I was very happy to meet him and tell about my admiration, and Marc was so happy to hear them! He even said: "Suzanna, I hope one day I'll tell you the same about you" :))) Why he lives so far? I could invite him to come and see Rising gigs (I hope Marc would like our hard'n'heavy, ha-ha!)

At last, I send my love, deepest respect and the endless gratitude to my closest friend and bass tech Vadim "Vozzya". Without his urgent persuasions to form a new band (instead of Hard Day's Night - its breaking-up was very hard loss to me) I'd never be happy to play with Rising. He believed in us from the beginning. He supported my journey to Moscow and helped me with all the things he could. At last, he always shares my joy and pain with me - he's a real FRIEND. Thank you - and love ya buddy!

This year was really difficult, and I thank once again all the people I told about before. I'm happy that one of the sweetest dreams of my life came true, and I'm happy and proud of my band!

Now I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the People 2008 and to all who read this post now :)