Sunday, August 17, 2008

Doing a good thing
at a bad time

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21


There I was at the coffee house, although I don't drink coffee. Nevertheless, there I sat, supposedly taking a break from the monotonous, meaning interviewing celebrities on my television program, attending Hollywood red-carpet events, writing book manuscripts, etc.


It seemed too good to be true, but then reality set in when a few male teenagers in a music band, whom I will only identify as “KNBC,” approached me and asked if I would come see them perform live. My initial thought was, “Here we go!”


You see, the main reason I ran to the coffee house was to escape from this question, and questions similar, in the first place. Being a part of the entertainment industry, like I have been for a number of years, I am often called upon to scrutinize professional and non-professional talent. I have worked with the recording industry, whose artists appear on major record labels, and also with Hollywood’s big-screen actors—from the whose-who to the whose-not.


Anyway, my point is that I found myself talking about work—away from work. Being ensnared by those kids’ ability of persuasive appeals, the conversation ended with a promise from me that I would show up to hear the band play. Traveling familiar grounds, there I was in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan on August 16, 2008.


While there, I learned that there really is such a thing as "garage bands." =) These musicians had set up shop in their garage. There was a hand full of spectators, which included some of the parents, supporting their talented kids. The atmosphere was sort of like a backyard wedding. In other words, grab yourself a chair, sit down, look and listen.


During the band’s brief intermission, my presence was loudly acknowledged over the band’s PA system. The loud greeting was being announced by a kid whose energy level was that of a jet plane.


There was an awkward moment that took place, or maybe it was my reporter’s instinct kicking in. I was highly sensitive to the fact that I was being watched. The feeling was like having your fly open and you don’t know it, but everyone else does—and they just won’t tell you that it is down.


To my own surprise, I enjoyed the band’s performance. I am glad I showed up because afterward I saw how much it meant to the kids. At the end of the performance, the kids of the band, and several of the other kids, as well as I and two of my friends, hung around, talking.


Then suddenly, from across the street, a most peculiar acting woman ran from her house, shouting loudly, asking if we would all gather around a black Wrangler jeep so that she could take a photograph of us. Her explanation for wanting to do so made just as much sense as the mayor of Detroit’s determination to remain mayor of the city of Detroit after being charged with ten felony counts. However, I had my suspicions as to why the photograph was important to her.


The day ended with me and three members of the band going back to my so-called place of refuge—the coffee house. However, the best part of the whole day was that I got to witness to those kids about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Oh by the way, KNBC is not the name of the band, but are the initials of the band member’s first names. I believe that whatever those kids decide to do in life, they will do well in it, and if they do decide to stick to music, I will support them with my media clout. We will do anything for kids, right? KNBC are in my thoughts and prayers!


As I write this blog, I believe I did a good thing at a bad time.



No comments: