Top Seven “Forever Young” Benefit Show Moments

This weekend’s two “Forever Young” Benefit CD Release Shows were something special. We performed two: one for kids, and one for folks who like booze. Both were outstanding, and filled with inspiring, outrageous, and silly moments. Here are my top seven:

7 – Fundraising Is Fun We raised nearly $1000 for children’s media research and advocacy in 24 hours. But we can do better. Download your copy of “Forever Young” on iTunes now!

6 – We Are Stardust Man, how lucky am I? A couple of emails and a handful of bona fide New York City’s rock stars show up: Casey Shea, Emily Easterly (her new single, “The Only Two On Earth” is amazing and available for free at her website), Jamie Leonhart, Bryan Dunn, Chris LoPresto, Jake Cohen and my oldest and dearest pals Chris Abad and Tony Maceli. Wow. What a stage!

5 – Casey Kicks It Up A Notch Even with it macabre verses (seriously, have you read the lyrics lately?), “You Are My Sunshine” doesn’t rank very high on Lower East Side Hipness Meter. Nor do sing-a-longs. I thought perhaps I’d jumped the shark when I ditched strumming my guitar, tossed my hands in the air and began clapping. That is, until Casey Shea let loose a tell-tale, tequila-fueled, “Yeah!” and ignited the audience. For a minute there with Case, Emily, Bryan and me hollerin’ along with the audience, it was like a barn-burnin’ hootenanny.

4 – Golden Slumbers Just seconds before our silly, sloppy finale, Chris LoPresto, Casey and I gave the band a breather, and performed The Beatles’ “Golden Slumbers” on scarcely more than a wing, a prayer, and one, brief rehearsal (albeit a live one in front of kids). Rockwood was buzzing with Friday night chatter, all lung-busting banter and flirtatious hollering, still, we endured. And — surprise — a few notes in, the room fell silent and stayed silent through the last note of the last word: Lullabye.

3 – My Nephews Play Coy The truth is, “Forever Young” was preceded by the 2003 one-off, “Songs In The Key Of E,” a similarly-themed home recording for my nephew Ethan’s first Christmas. And so it was moving to have him there in the front row with his brother, Edward, sister, Ella, mom and dad. Ethan and Edward both watched intently, averting their eyes when I winked and smiled in their direction (then stormed the stage to bang on the drums just as soon as we were finished). Some day, I hope we get to perform with our band, Stinky Jack. Crazy nephews, indeed. Awesome, too.

2 – Six Years Later The story is well-worn, but awesome. I first met my now-wife in a shaft of white light at the end of the tiny Rockwood Music Hall bar. Five years later, we’re happily married. Better yet (as if it could get better), my beautiful wife was standing there with swaying with our beautiful daughter in her arms. Did I mention I was lucky?

1 – Maggie Figures It Out If there is a sweeter moment for a singer/songwriter/father than watching his brand-new, four-month-old daughter stare up at him onstage performing, well, I don’t know what it is. Her big, blue eyes were fixed on me, her expression intent. She was doing the math, putting it all together. “Daddy does what!?!”

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Download “Forever Young” on iTunes now! The complete “Forever Young” track list:

1 – Rainbow Connection (featuring Amber Rubarth)
2 – Forever Young (featuring Emily Easterly)
3 – The Only Living Boy In New York (featuring Chris Abad)
4 – Mr. Tambourine Man (featuring Bryan Dunn)
5 – You Are My Sunshine (featuring Jason Walsmith & Becca Smith)
6 – Sweet Baby James (featuring Jeff Jacobson)
7 – You’ve Got A Friend (featuring Mai Bloomfield)
8 – Golden Slumbers (featuring Casey Shea)
9 – Amazing Grace (featuring Jamie Leonhart)
10 – Moon River