A White House Visit.... again

Nashville, TN: I'm still amazed by some of the opportunities I get by doing what I do. I was preparing for my trip DC for the 4th of July and my fabulous contact at my boss' show was able to set up a VIP tour of the White House for my band and crew. Though this is a huge honor, especially since there is a new President in office, I was actually excited to go back and take some more pictures. In 2006, my boss at the time played at a White House dinner. We got the royal treatment and a VIP tour as well, but all the photos I took were zapped exactly three years ago this past weekend. I hadn't thought much about them until now, but I suddenly remembered all of my digital memories were gone. I knew I could get some more (how much can a house change in 4 years?), but there was one specific one I had to grieve: holding Barney. Our tour guide, the first time around, while showing us the outside of the famous building, noticed Barney enjoying the outside air and asked if we would like to hold him & get pics with him. Since his owner, in the end, wouldn't be as gracious to offer a photo op, we jumped at the chance.

So, my first photo of my second time inside, I got as close to Barney again as I possibly could:


After our tour, with a happy band and proud heart, I sent a last ditch email out to some of my former band and crew mates. Maybe someone had a picture or two from that day years ago? To my wonderment, one of my favorite sidemen sent me a link to his iDisk and wah-lah. All my pictures that I took 4 years ago and lost were on MY computer. Which is so strange, especially since I NEVER give my pictures to anyone without a little time in the photoshop clinic. I must have been feeling generous that day. Or crazy. Whatever it was, I was glad. Because now, again, I had THIS photo:


Sigh. Me & Barney. Together again.

And NOW I can compare my White House visits from past and present via newly taken and newly retrieved photos....

the east wing, 2006

the east wing, 2010 (getting cleaned up a bit for holiday festivities)


the band and I, having dinner (actually, just getting our picture taken at the table before we were kicked out for the REAL dinner guests), 2006

the band, crew (and some family members) and I, lounging in the presidential theatre, 2010


moi, 2006

moi, 2010


looking for myself in the green room, 2006


finding myself in the green room, 2010