"The Graduate"
May 31^st Graduation Party – Houston, Texas

     Marcos Witt is a performing musician and songwriter, a four time Grammy winner, and a sought after music producer, selling over 10 million copies of his records in México, the United States and Latin America. More than 3 million people have attended Marcos Witt's concerts in some of the main concert stadiums of Latin America.  He is the author of ten books, the senior pastor of the Hispanic congregation at Lakewood Church. But most importantly, he is the father of four children. And today, his eldest son, Jonathan has graduated from high school.

     With numerous connections in the music industry, one wonders why Marcos had his personal assistant go out of the way to contact the trio to perform for Jonathan's graduation party. But the guys have learned to never look a gift horse in the mouth - In fact don’t look at a gift horse at all. (Lee once thought he saw a magical gift horse, but it was probably just a hallucination since the horse was bouncing on a pogo stick with a bright orange tattoo on his back of Mahatma Gandhi striking Mayor McCheese with a cane.)   

     The trio arrives to the Witt home late in the afternoon. Load-in goes very quickly, since family and friends have yet to arrive from the ceremony across town, the guys are able to move quickly and unobstructed. The only thing that slows them down a little is Matthew's candy dish munching. Each time he walks by the bowls of M & M candies,    he inconspicuously grabs another mouthful and quickly shoves it in. Lee and George become suspicious since Matthew is usually very 'chatty' as the equipment is being set up - Today he is strangely quiet. Finally he gets caught. "Hey Man, Those are like decorations! Don't eat all of those." "But they put them out to be eaten." "Yeah, but you see how they're only the yellow and blues ones? That must be the high school colors or something. If you're going to eat them, take equal amounts of the blue and yellow." "Alright. I'm done anyway." "Good - the 'M' printed on them is not 'M' for Mathew."

     The Witt's staff haven't noticed the rapid M & M depletion, as they are busy putting the last minute touches on the food and other decorations throughout the house. And speaking of decorations, the front of the home has been adorned with a bright red new Mustang GT  . Delivered directly from the dealership, with less than 20 miles on the odometer. It is a beautiful car. George pulls his 'more experienced' car on up the street so as not to confuse the guests (who are beginning to trickle in).

     Due to space limitations in the area where the guys are to play, the staff has suggested that George play Marcos' custom-made baby grand piano. They only have to ask once - George eagerly tries out the keys. He accepts with an "Oh Yeah! This will work." His enthusiasm is only matched by Matthew's return to the candy dish - "Oh Yeah! This will work too." Lee is forced to set up in the darkness of the den adjacent to the room that Matthew and George will be playing in.  Lee is used to being 'In the dark' with these two, but the concern is how will he be able to hear the piano so he can keep time for the trio. He and George quickly devise a way. They mic the piano and run the line back to a monitor near Lee   and start softly playing. Just in time too - Jonathan has just arrived with family in tow.

     He is confident and courteous. He works the room with a finesse that any politician would be envious of. The difference is that all of his gestures, hugs, and handshakes, seem genuine. He even stops the band's playing to take a photo with the guys.   "Oh this guy is smooth." thinks Lee before returning to his darkened 'cave'. It's dark but Lee doesn't mind. He's discovered he's in the 'trophy' room. The mantle proudly displays the four Grammys awarded to Jonathan's father, Marcos.   Lee also has a musical display tonight. A life-long friend/surfing buddy and artist (John Olvey) has recently completed a customized paint job for Lee's main conga drum.  The result is a kind of modernized hieroglyphics that tells the story of emancipation from bondage in vibrant colors. He's even included genuine gold leaf for accent color . Lee is very proud of this new modification, and is pleased that the first gig to use it at is a rite-of-passage event for this young man. In fact, George and Matthew are also excited to be at what George calls a 'Scrapbook-Type Venue". "We have the best job in the world. We get to help people celebrate special moments like this, play music, and get paid for it." "Mmm hmm... Don't forget the M & M's." "Yes - those type benefits too."

     The music shifts to more spirited jazz as the attitudes in room warm up to the guys. The only pause of the evening comes when Jonathan addresses his guests.  Like royalty in exile, his speech is elegant and even inspirational. For a moment Matthew wishes he was back in high school too. A flash of nausea, brings him quickly back. Jonathan thanks everyone who has helped him achieve goals, shape him, and helped him to become the young man he is. George doesn't even know this kid, and yet he still feels proud. The cake is cut, and ceremoniously shoved in Jonathan's face. Everyone applauds, and Jonathan returns to mingling, while wiping icing out of his hair.

     Marcos makes a point to thank the trio. The guys comment on his Grammys in the next room and ask if they can take a photo holding them, as if they had won them. Marcos laughs, but declines. He states it's against the Grammy rules. George laughs until Marcos convinces him this is true. "Really?" "Yes, really." "Really???" "Yes."Apparently the academy makes the Grammy recipients, sign a formal document stating that they will not allow other people be photographed holding your Grammy(s).  < Read bylaws of academy here>  There are also rules about not using it as a door stop, and you can not use it as a weapon in the event you stumble upon a prowler in the middle of the night and the only thing to bludgeon them with is your Grammy. George is disappointed at missing out on a great photo-op. Lee can't tell what's going on from the dark recesses of his adopted lair in the den. Matthew shirks it off, and fakes coughing as he secretly shoves in another fistful of M & M's.

    George launches the band into the final set. Lee's drumming is impeccable tonight -the piano mic gimmick works perfectly. Matthew's fingers are courageously walking up and down the neck of the bass like never before -he's discovered a freedom within this instrumental jazz that burns with a new intensity. These three have never played as tight as they are right now. At the end of the set, George hears a rumbling upstairs. The three realize that there's someone upstairs playing a drum set. Always looking for a way to involve an audience, George yells out to the drummer to bring his set downstairs. It turns out to be Jonathan's younger brother, Carlos. After taking a few moments to set up he is ready to go. A few measures in George is painfully aware that this is the worst idea he has had in a long time. Looking to 'go out on  a high note', George encouraged Carlos to play it up. The problem is, the boy has no sense of volume. His strikes on the snare and toms are perfect, but they are ridiculously loud. The decibel level in the room triples, and guests (and Jonathan) scatter for safety into other parts of the home . Only the boy's mother, Miriam stays behind to support his sonic assault. Upon realizing this miscalculation, George only plays an obligatory amount of the piece and shuts it down.

     Marcos comes out of hiding, and mentions that Jonathan has left to go to another party. George thanks him for allowing him to play his custom piano. The two begin to ramble on and on about piano stuff. Steinways vs. Bosendorfer, the keyboard responsiveness of the August Forester and on and on. Lee's back is hurting and he secretly wishes that Carlos would do a drum solo encore to cover up all this fruity piano talk. The three pack up their gear and head to the vehicles. Jonathan's car is gone from the front entry, so loading goes very quickly. George returns inside to say goodbye to Marcos and Miriam. Marcos asks "So do you want that picture?" "Of the Grammy? I thought we couldn't hold it." "You can't, but we could make it look like I'm awarding it to you." George is elated "That'd be perfect! Let me get the guys." A few moments later Gabriela, the Witt's personal photographer snaps the shot.  

     George has his mock photo, Lee has a backache (and a new drum), and Matthew has a shirt pocket of half-melted M & M's. And to these guys, that's a pretty good night.

 

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