“In the midst of overwhelming sadness and suffering, we wanted to end the week on a high note. It’s brought to us from the Tony Award-winning cast of “Ain’t Too Proud,” the Broadway show about The Temptations. They recently got online to connect and delivered this performance, part of our ongoing arts and culture series,…
Read moreAcceptance
As this coronapocalypse raged through the world, I had many thoughts running through my brain. I knew the virus was a real threat, but it never crossed my mind that most of the United States would be shut down; at least, the most populous states would be. I questioned just how far our state and…
Read moreBehind The Scenes: Memphis The Musical Recording Session
I never knew this existed! Wow, is this fun to watch. This recording is by far, my favorite cast recording I’ve done. I like what I played, how the recording sounds and I really like the songs. The whole Memphis The Musical experience was fantastic. I remember when David Bryan, the keyboardist for Bon Jovi…
Read morePositivity
Last week I was feeling great! This week, not so much. Oh how things can change. Despite the cacophony of negativity coming from our “news” and social media, I’m optimistic about the future. I have lived long enough to know things turn around and get better, especially if you retain a positive outlook. I need…
Read moreA Daily Reminder Of My Mother
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…
Read moreMy 3-Year-Old Son is a Girl Now
This seems like more of a documentary than a parody. 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…
Read moreSingle Fatherhood in New York City
In 2012, I was contacted by a graduate student who was looking for stories about single fathers. I think she found me from an old blog I used to have. It’s so interesting to listen to this recording eight years later. Very little has changed with my relationship to my kids as well as my…
Read more8 Years A Boyfriend
8 years ago, I met Bryn Johnson. I was in the middle of a highly successful run of my first broadway show, I had a little money in the bank, I was newly single after surviving a bitter divorce. I was having the time of my life on the dating scene in New York City….
Read moreThe First Step In Becoming A Touring Musician For A Broadway Show
A colleague asked me the other day, “What would you recommend as a first step in becoming a touring musician for a broadway show?” I had to think about that for a moment. I can only describe my experience and what I did right, and what I did wrong. From 1993 until the year 2000,…
Read moreDaughters
Six years ago, I made this video for my then, 11-year-old daughter. She wanted to have her birthday party at her dad’s house. I think just about every year since then, she’s had a separate birthday party with me. I remember staying up until about 4AM the night before her party trying to get this…
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