My good friend Kim Grantham from Howard University made this pendant for me last Christmas. I decided to put it in my drum booth at my theater. Instead of the music on my stand, this is what’s there. I look over to my left every night and see her smiling face.

This photo reminds me of so many things. It’s a reminder of the times when my mother would drive me back and forth to my drum lessons, the times when she would stop me from my marathon practice sessions after school in my basement telling me to stop because dinner was ready, the times when she would come see me play in the Howard University Marching Band, the times when she would come out briefly to see my metal band EvilTwins play in a club and she would be one of the six or so people in the audience, the times when she would tell me she saw me on TV at the Tony Awards…it reminds me of the woman she was. My mom was always my cheerleader when it came to my career. Seeing her image next to me keeps me focused.

I smile every time I see it. It’s a reminder of my own mortality and it keeps me focused on what’s important.

March 9, 2019. It was the day my mother came to see Ain’t Too Proud with my sister Cindy and my father. It was a trip that was somewhat difficult for my mother because she was slowly getting weaker with each passing day.

She was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in the fall of 2018. One of the things I wished would happen before she passed was her coming to see me in Ain’t Too Proud. I knew time was running out. Since she was given a few months to live, I hoped she survived just long enough to see the show.

My mother was always supportive of my career. She paid for my drum lessons and purchased my first professional drum set; the one I used in my first broadway show, Memphis The Musical. I thought it would be nice to give a little back and show her that I once again, made it to the top of my profession, thanks mostly to her. 

My dad was supportive too, don’t get me wrong. He made it possible for me to stay in this city during the lean years and was incredibly helpful during my family court troubles. My parents worked as a team, but it was my mom who saw how, if I kept at it, I’d “make it.”

As her condition deteriorated over the last months of her life, I worried she wouldn’t make the drive from Connecticut to New York. After a somewhat stressful period of planning and preparation, she came. When the limo driver stopped the car in front of the Imperial Theater, I said hi, kissed her and I remember her saying, “I made it Clayton!

I almost cried right then and there. I was so full of emotion because she was really weak, confined to a wheelchair and needed a lot of help for daily activities. 

I got her a special seat inside of the theater, I played the show, and near the end, I almost cried…again. I cried tears of happiness because she saw me perform, but I was also incredibly sad knowing she wasn’t going to be around in a few months.

My girlfriend and my kids met us after the show and had dinner together. It was nice having that family time. I cherish moments like this.

Life is short. 

When I look over at my music stand 8 shows a week, I have a reminder of that fact. I’m also reminded of my amazing mother.

Thank you Kim for this wonderful gift.

 

Now I gotta go give my father a call. He’s still alive. A little lonely since he lost his partner of over 60 years, but he’s still here!

 

Clayton Craddock is an independent thinker, father of two beautiful children in New York City. He is the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University’s School of Business and is a 25 year veteran of the fast paced New York City music scene. He has played drums in a number of hit Broadway musicals including “Tick, tick…BOOM!,Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical and Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill. In addition, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

Clayton is the chair of the New York chapter of the National Parents Organization and is focused on promoting shared parenting, where both parents have equal standing raising children after a separation or divorce. He is writing a memoir and writes for various local and national publications.

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