Once in a Lifetime Night

Mother and Me waiting to go in to see Liza....

Yes, it was. Mother suprised me Tuesday morning calling and asking if I could come up on Wednesday. She was taking me to see LIZA at the Peace Center in Greenville. I knew she was coming but didn't have a clue I would get to see her. Not only that, we had seats 7 rows back and I could see her every expression! It was Magic. A little background -I had always been a huge Judy Garland fan since childhood and the first time I saw Liza in a movie I loved her and her look. Then, in the 70's a movie called New York, New York came out and I was on the road with my sales job and went to see it in Indianapolis with a girlfriend. I came out of that movie totally entralled with Liza and her music. NOW, not that I wanted to sing - I just loved her music and bought the "Tape". On the road driving for hours and hours I listened to that tape - wore it out and DID sing along as loud as I could driving down the road in my Black Thunderbird! In the late 70's she came to Atlanta to perform at the Fox and I sent in for tickets right away. I think they were $25 back then - HA - and went we arrived at the Fox her light man has set his equipment up on our seats - I thought oh no, but then they escorted us to the second row - right behind the Mayor and guests. THAT time I saw the sweat and the eyelashes and the tears and she totally had me. AGAIN, singing had never crossed my mind - I was super business woman! And still a blonde!! You know the rest of the story, turned 30, had this crazy notion to write songs - got invited to get up and sing at a Steak and Ale and the rest is history. I HAD to try it for just a little while - 6 months is what I told my parents just to get it out of my system. After all, my dream since childhood was to be a New York Rockette and this was close! 30 years later almost to the day I saw Liza last night. I have sung her songs all these years and loved her music and her talent. I know all about the wild times for her - haven't we all been there a little bit - but how many could have lived the life she did? Believe me, I've read everything about her and her Mother and the "Taker's" in their lives. She's 64 years old, looks beautiful and still belts them out. Maybe not in the same key - maybe not holding that note as long (I never could hold them as long as she could) but most of all she made you feel like you were in her living room and just hanging out with a friend. You just don't see that in entertainer's anymore. Now, it's all about production, dancers, lights, pyro-tech's and smoke and mirrors. You really don't know if they are really even singing. Believe me, Liza was singing and when she did you could hear a pin drop with 2500 people listening. All I can say is It really was Magic. All these years people have told me - you look like Liza - you perform like Liza - you sound like Liza - you coulda been Liza - well, no one can be Liza but I thank her for her inspiration, her love of the stage, her music, her laughter and her tears. You are a legend and I do feel a kinship with you. Our stars have crossed somewhere in time and I just think you are THE BEST...........

I made it almost to the end of her show and when the first notes of NY NY began I grabbed my Mother's hand the tears begin to roll down my face. We held hands thru the songs then rose to our feet for a standing ovation. She told me going to the car arm in arm that I was just as good as Liza, of course, that's my Mother. We went for an after show dinner then home. 60 years old and 85 years old - THAT was a girl's night out!!!! And I thank my Mother for just letting me be me.... and I Love her. The tears are rolling down my face right now and I know the "Magic" is will be with me always and I've never forget this night as long as I live.......