Thursday, March 28, 2024

It's Always Smoking Hot!

April 3, 2012


Trudie, Elton and Meryl working on the Finale

Yesterday was our second day of rehearsals for the Save the Rainforest concert, a fundraiser for Sting's charity. His wife, Trudie Styler, always produces the concerts and they're always wonderful.

These concerts have become a tradition with me, and I always look forward to the interesting mix of performers and songs. I also get all the artists to sign one of my guitars as a memento of the event because the exact same group of performers will never be together on one stage again.

Every year there are great memories and this year is no exception. I mean, how often do you get to see Meryl Streep sing with an orchestra, or Rita Wilson do a duet with Vince Gill?

This year, Elton John and Bruno Mars are rocking the house along with Esperanza Spalding, Jennifer Hudson, James Taylor, Rosanne Cash, Bryn Terfel, a classy dance number by Channing Tatum and of course the multi-talented Sting.

Every year our music director is Narada Michael Walden and our band and choir are pretty much the same lineup. It's Always Smoking Hot!

 


Sting and Esperanza Spalding


Jennifer Hudson singing the paint off of the walls


The "Strat Cats" playing "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend"


James Taylor with the orchestra


Jennifer, Bryn, Rita and Vince practicing the finale


Bruno Mars at rehearsal


Our horn section