Last weekend I opened for the wonderful Miki Howard at Tavern on The Lake in Orlando .  It was a pretty good show.  I am usually reluctant to post concert videos as I am SO critical of my performance, but this one passes muster.  (The rest would too everybody tells me) I am so thankful for having such a good group of musicians to perform with.  Larry McRae on Bass who was Musical Director for the Mike Concert.  Derrick Harvin on Keys who is my regular Music Director (So we had 2 for this event).  Howard Smith on Drums who played with me for the 1st time and did a fantastic job, and Vernon Suber on Percussion. Joining us for the Miki Portion was Clay Benjamin on Lead Guitar who is an excellent player who lives in Jacksonville.  I wish he lived nearer but he promises to join me for further shows in the future.

(Video shows up and plays for Internet Explorer users.  If you are on Safari or anything else, click this link:   Concert Video

The Jazz Jam was ON this year!  I truly missed having this party and this turned out to be the best Jam Yet!  We had close to 97 folks show up and pack out the back yard, the neighbors yard and and everywhere the people could fit!  I am always truly amazed at how my postage stamp back yard can turn into an intimate concert venue once a year.  We had great food!  I have to thank everyone who brought a dish to share, some drinks, and most importantly, yourselves!

The main core of the music was done by my friends, Kene Ledford on Keys, Larry McRae on Bass and Joseph Pegram on Drums.

We had a huge Horn Line:  Deverick Bell and Kevin Scott on Saxes (SaXfactor group members with me but you will hear more about that later!), Michael Kahn, Doctor Otto Gomez and Bill Moss on Trumpets, and Frank Wharton on Flutes!We had some vocalists come through also: Michelle Holland, Joey Pegram and his wife sang, a lady with a beautifully pristine voice (I’m sorry I can’t remember her name - Charge it to the game)  Yvonne OVACHI Bennett, and RAVYN, lthough Ravyn did not get a chance to sing cause the band was into some Margaritas and by that time 5.0 had started to show up!

Yes for the first time that we have done this event 5.0 came by to tell us to turn it down!  See a new elderly couple moved into the community last year that started calling the boys early in the evening.  Not that we were loud.  We weren’t but maybe some people don’t like other people having a good time.  The Police were REAL COOL!  They were like “We see that you all are having a great time and the music is not loud, but we have to respond.  So we took it down to real intimate sound and kept flowing!

I have to thank Arlen Guffin and her friends!  Her friends as well as Ovachi and friends, and many others made this a success! Arlene did a Live Broadcast of the event on her GufLive Webcast!  Get it here at: Guflive Presents!

See you you next year!

This is the time of year to enjoy!  Living in the society that we do, we are often even more stressed by stuff:  What has to be done, what gifts are we getting others, getting together for the family gathering, budgets.  It can be an overwhelming time!

Step back for a minute and think about WHY?  Whether you are spiritual or not, this is a time to relax, reflect and think about how you want to handle 2010!

WOW 2010!  How many of us imagined that we would be riding around in “The Jetson’s” like cars now?  Homes where everything was done by Robots?  I used to think that as a child.  Now as an adult there is much still to do.

The most important task for you in this next year is to think for a while.

What about?

Well the things that you wanted to do as a child.  Those things that someone may have told you were: impractical, too hard, did not make enough immediate money, “are you nuts?  OK, hmm, sure (while ignoring you)”.   That is where God comes in.

God gave us all talents that many of us do not use.  You know what they are. You know what you are good at and what makes you happy.  That is your Talent!  Many of us have been told by the society of man that “You Can’t Do That”  Well, 2010 is coming and “Yes You Can.”

Think about it.  Write it down.  Post it as a sticky note on your computer or on your dash in the car.  PASTE IT TO THE CEILING IN YOUR BEDROOM so when you wake up, and look up, you know what you you are doing that day!  Make it a big goal, worthy of your Talent!
And then TAKE ACTION!

Take small steps to initiate. It does not have to be big.  Baby Steps as long as you are focusing and moving.  Outside your job, outside your daily routine, find time to do a little toward your goal.  The Universe will follow as God has Ordained!
Relax, Regroup, Do the family thing and take Joy in all that happens.  Resolve to LIVE YOUR DREAM no matter what it is!  TRY!  You will be happy in the Journey!
Happy Holidays!  Merry Christ Mass (Origins of the term Yall!) And realize that Jesus Existed to Teach Us by his example.  You can do what he did by Belief.  Not just in that He Exists, but in that He is within you and through Faith, that He is THERE and will HELP YOU.  You CAN LIVE YOUR DREAM!

2010 WILL BE A GOOD YEAR!
Erly Thornton

I will be doing the Kool Jazz Happy Hour at this year’s Winter Park Alumni Kappa Kasino in Winter Park, Florida.

This is an annual event where the members of Winter Park Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. throw an upscale “Kasino” where you play your favorite Vegas games for charity.  The more you win, the more chances you have to win prizes donated by companies throughout the Central Florida Area.  The event also includes a silent auction where you can bid on treasures donated by those same companies.  In fact I am giving away a private concert in YOUR home, with just me and your friends.  That is a huge value.  Afterwards we will let the DJ take over and you can dance the night away!

This is a great time to be had by all and it is for charity friends.  Our Guide Right Foundation has given over $50,000 to deserving kids on their way to college over the years.  Please help us to make this our best year yet!

I will be playing from 5:00 - 7:00pm and then the doors open to the Kasino.  Then you may see me on a table perhaps dealing some BlackJack!

To get tickets, click on the button below where you will be taken to Paypal and be able to order them.  $20 each in advance, $25 at the door.  I will have them available to you at the door in your name.

You can also send me a check to:

#199, 3564 Avalon Park Blvd East
Suite 1
Orlando, FL 32828 
with an email to erly@erlythornton.com to let me know it is coming!

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