Thursday I got a call for a one off fill in job with an R+B/Standards type group for last night.  All I knew was that it was for some family reunion/anniversery party.

Well, turns out it was the 50th anniversery of the Montgomery Bus Boycott that is recognized as the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, and the King family reunion, as in MLK, Jr.  Coretta Scott King was there, as were a bevy of heavyweights from the political, cultural, and entertainment field.

It was a very interesting setting; there were people who had taken part in the planning of the Bus Boycott, Sunday, Boody Sunday (the attacks on the march to Selma, not the U2 song) survivors, members of the King family, etc.  There was one point where 5 folks got up and started singing a cappella praise songs that got the whole room up.
  Very moving stuff

The interesting thing to me was the presence of Clark Johnson, Eric Dellums and another acotr whose name slips my mind, he's on the HBO show "The Wire".  Anyway, the other 2 guys were on the show "Homicide: Life on the Streets" and were also the production/directing team behind the movie "Boycott", which was about the Montgomery Bus Boycott.  Imagine that

They filmed that movie here in Montgomery and their time here made a huge impact on them.  They came back with a small camera crew and filmed last nights events for a follow up documentary, etc.  I got to talk to Clark for a few minutes, and he was a really nice guy, very grounded, and humble.  I have always commented to colleagues how real Homicide seemed, the interaction between characters, the settings in the squad room, etc.  He seemed very pleased that an ex-homicide detective would find that show so good.  It was a very rewarding gig.  And I played well, too!

So, enough rambling on, thanks.

Hey Joe pun inteneded  

Eric Dellums is the good Congressman's son.  In fact, the (ex)Congressman was present, as were a lot of other political bigwigs.  

I've heard the "Color of Friendship" was a really good movie, partially because it was fairly accurate.  I'll put it on my must see list.

Thanks for appreciating the spirit of the event.   I can remember growing up in NY and thinking what a foreign place Montgomery, AL seemed.  It was unimaginable to me as a young boy thinking that we could treat people like that.  The civil rights movement was one of the most important times in our country's history, and to live and work on the same streets that these very events took place is sort of overwhelming, when I stop to think about it.  I work in the building where many of the greatest legal fights over individual freedoms were waged.  I can see MLK's church from my parking space, and his house is 4 blocks away from my office.  I don't dwell on it except on ocassion, but it still floats around in the back of my mind.
 

What a cool gig!  

Just wondering. . .  was it better to go into it not knowing the significance?  Or, in hindsight, would you have rather known ahead of time?

wow, now that's cool. way cooler than audioslave in cuba

it must be fascinating being in that area. even a little freaky. i must pay a visit someday.

the transit system did a little thingie here to honor rosa parks: they asked riders to keep the first front seat empty to commemorate her historic act. unfortunately, the sign they posted wasn't readily visible, but eventually, people moved the sign to the first front seat. as i understand it, most people made the proper observance, excepting a few schmuks who didn't think it made a difference.

sounds like a very cool gig! [it's probably better that ya didn't know...]