Well, it’s time for the University of North Texas’s GRAMMY NOMINEES (Steve and the One O’clock Lab Band, BOTH!) to show up…with the hopes of walking away with the coveted prize, but as Lab Band director Steve Wiest put it…he felt like he won already!

Even if neither he nor the band “takes one home tonight” (each is nominated for best jazz composition, and best large jazz ensemble, respectively) – the awesomeness of the nominations are as UNT’s President Bataille stated – (paraphrased) “it puts them in the enviable position held by UNT alone, of being the only Music College in America (and the world!) to have ANY Grammy nominations” – they have 6 – COUNT ‘EM…that’s 1975, 1976…then again in 1989 and 1991…and now 2 in one year!!! CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!

It was pleasure this morning to re-connect with several people I’ve known and played with over the years, and make some new friends…and share the excitement with everyone – of hearing the band live in the intimate Gold Room at the Biltmore Millennium Hotel. It was quite a spectacle to behold. WOW! The band was on fire, and they’re off to the races (I hope you win one this time…now that would be a singularly spectacular highlight of it all – and if not, well…back to what Steve said!).

You guys are all going to have incredible careers…and already do! KUDOS, again, and thanks for having me be a part of it! Cheers to everyone at UNT!