Wednesday at Takoma Station
Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

I talked for a while with Derek Floyd (Donnell's second son). It was briefly interrupted when he and Marquis Melvin helped bring in Donnell's stuff. I asked him how often he performs (he's a rapper). He said not often. He said it's hard performing with a live band (like when he sits in with Familiar Faces) because he (and Donnell also) has to yell. He said that that's hard for him because he has bronchial asthma, he needs to get in shape. He said it's also hard for him when he sits in with Familiar Faces since Donnell's mic is set for Donnell's vocals, not his. He did say that he worked with Jauhar and recently finished recording his own album called "1:18 or 118" after a Bible verse. He said that his job is working with community service. He said that he had problems when he was growing up and he uses those experiences to help others. He said that he doesn't have much to give other than his heart, which he gives through his music. He said that he really respects his father as an artist (he later said his Dad doesn't really know just how much he looks up to him). He said that he tries to follow his Dad in that respect, he doesn't want to be his Dad, but that he wants to follow his professionalism (Derek didn't use those exact words, but that's what he meant). He talked about how he wants to stay humble, but it can be hard. He knows so many people around the city because of his dad and himself, some people call him "the prince of the city." He said it's hard when like at the Night of Elegance, he performed in front of 3,200 people. He said he wants to keep away from people using drugs and other negative influences. He plans to pass out a number of copies of his album in order to generate a buzz. He said it's hard to have a relationship when working in the music business. His regular job and recording take a lot of time and girls (including his girlfriend), expect a lot of time with you. He said he just finished his album and now he's working on another one. He also talked about his working with Marquis. He said he first met Marquis in Miami and met him again later. Marquis is also working with Jauhar. Derek said that he is now writing songs for Marquis. He said that Marquis can sing really well in way he can't, so it's a good match. He said they are like brothers now. He also said he thinks they are both going to succeed in the music business. He said Marquis will probably sing tonight. I told them both that Doc and Dwayne didn't really believe Marquis had quit the football team until I posted a quote from Rich Rodriguez (head coach of West Virginia's football team). Marquis smiled. Derek plans to take college classes next semester, psychology and communications because he feels they are important to bettering his art. He applauded my writing on my blog and asked if that was my profession. I told him no, but I plan to continue writing.

Ray was there.

Familiar Faces
First Set
1) Blueprint - instrumental, Donnell said, "This is our theme song right here. This is the blueprint, how we want everything to be", Donnell played his sax on the floor, it really cranked / Donnell called over Halima to sing, he said, "A dancer (why he said dancer, I'm not sure) is all about improvisation. That's the difference between an artist and a musician, what they can do on the fly. Halima improved (the music was different from Blueprint, it was just grooving)
Tamara, Tim (LJ), and James were there.
Donnell said, "Off the top of her head. Come on up here Tamara. I've been looking at you like Allen Iverson, throwing no passes... part of the family."
2) They started to perform the music to Vivian Green's Emotional Roller Coaster - Donnell said, "I think they already know what they want you to sing" / Tamara-led Vivian Green's Emotional Roller Coaster - Halima was on backup vocals
3) Mike-led Stevie Wonder's As
Spanky was there.
4) They started to perform the music to Michael Jackson's I Can't Help It - Mike said, "From one legend to another. For those of you who haven't, pick up the new Stevie Wonder album. There's a song on there that will make you cry." / Mike-led Michael Jackson's I Can't Help It - they played some new riffs in it
Britney, Shadonna and June were there.
5) Mike-led O'Bryan's Lady I Love You - James was on backup vocals (and for the rest of the show), Mike went on the dance floor
Donnell said, "Where you at Quisy (spelling?, he meant Marquis Melvin)? He's young ladies, he may look old, but he's young. We took him down to Miami; we had to keep a rope on him. Got to watch what he sings, he's got a dirty mind. Keep it clean."
6) Marquis-led John Legend's So High - the crowd sang along
Donnell said, "Look here ladies, when I said young, I mean young, so don't scream at him. He wrote a filthy little song..."
7) Marquis-led Secret
Donnell said, "He's seventeen, so don't serve him. He's Jauhar's boy, filthy little pervert. Come on Halima, let's get it mature. Listen up Quisy, so you can write a grown and sexy song like this..."
8) Halima-led Sade's Pearls - Halima ended sitting on the floor
Archie Paige, Nikki and Monique were there.
9) Halima-led The Brand New Heavies' Never Stop
Donnell did announcements. He said, "We will be at Tradewinds on Christmas, not Christmas Eve. Ray can stay home and wrap the presents. You got a lot of deliveries to make."
Shaun was there.

6'9 was there.

Fon (not sure I heard right), security guy I talked with at Legend. He said he's from UNXpected Entertainment.

Second Set
Donnell announced that Chuck Brown would be the third band with Familiar Faces and After Hours Band at the New Year's Eve event at the Hilton in Alexandria.
1) James-led R. Kelly's Slow Wind
2) Mike-led Bernard Wright's Who Do You Love
3) Mike-led Toto's Georgy Porgy - intro / Bobby Valentino's Slow Down / Percussion solo
4) Halima-led Alicia Keys' Unbreakable - I danced with Angie
5) Donnell-led "Hey ay, Ho oh" - the crowd responded
6) Donnell-led "Do it for the ladies/fellas, Oh my God!" - the crowd responded
7) Donnell-led "If you're twenty-five and older, put your hands up" -->
8) Donnell & Mike-led Rare Essence's One on One (Footz version) - Doc held Halima's hand up, the crowd responded / Rare Essence's "Going to Hollywood"
9) Alternating Mike-led Bobby Valentino's Tell Me - Donnell led it off by saying, "From the old school to the new" / Donnell-led Rare Essence's Hey Tamika (tease) - I danced with a friend of Angie's until Angie got jealous and separated us
10) Halima-led Mariah Carey's It's Like That
11) Donnell & Halima-led Lil Kim's Lighters Up - Donnell shouted, "Eya eya" and the crowd responded, "Ho"
12) D4L's Laffy Taffy - instrumental, Donnell joked, "I didn't know Godfather knew this" --> Donnell said, "Hey Dwayne, give me the gangster sh*t before we get out of here"
13) They started to perform the music to It Is What It Is - Donnell said, "This is the gangster sh*t" / Donnell & Halima-led It Is What It Is
14) Donnell-led "Unh, unh unh" (Donnell calls it, "We put it in")
Donnell announced that they would be playing at Cranberries on Sunday for the second Redskins-Cowboys game.
Donnell said, "I got Ray's real name. He likes to call himself Slick Ray, but that's not what's on his license. Ladies, give me some money and I'll tell you his name."

Archie said, "Write that DeeDee was there."

Pooh was there. I asked him who he's playing with. He said Marc Cary. Dwayne said Halima needs to edit her lyrics in It Is What It Is; she needs to replace Donnell's name with his. Pooh said, "Both Dwaynes (or Duanes) say that."