“Where the Purple Party People Be” - Big Things This Week!

I’m expecting that this will be an important week for my “quest.” I will be in New York City on Saturday, December 18, for Prince’s “Welcome 2 America” concert at Madison Square Garden! I also have my first interview lined up for my book.

It’s not enough for me to simply attend this concert. I want to get a press pass, make my way backstage and meet Prince, the band and the other guests (e.g. Janelle Monae, Sheila E., Cassandra Wilson, Mint Condition, Esperanza Spalding, Maceo Parker, Sinbad, Lalah Hathaway and Graham Central Station).

Well, this probably will not happen, but I really tried. Ever since I battled fans on ticketmaster.com at 10 a.m. on October 30, I have been trying to contact Prince’s camp and the other featured artists’ management. Because I don’t work for Rolling Stone, or any other major publication, this is a difficult goal. I am just beginning my career as a journalist.

However, I do work as a music writer for acrn.com, and I did make contact with representatives for Maceo Parker, Esperanza Spalding and Larry Graham. At the time, definitive dates had not been confirmed for Maceo or Esperanza. Now, according to a few media sites, they will not be participating in this Saturday’s concert. Larry Graham and Graham Central Station, on the other hand, will be there. As I mentioned in my previous blog entry, I am working on an interview with Mr. Graham. He will be available after the Welcome 2 America concert series.

It should come as no surprise that Prince is very private and mysterious. I don’t know that he has a publicist, and if he does, his or her contact information is not available. The kind people at the Harlem Children’s Zone—the organization that will receive the proceeds after Prince auctions a guitar from the tour—were kind enough to pass along my requests to Prince’s camp. That was the best that I could do.

I will keep trying up until Saturday. Perhaps I will get a phone call while I’m in line at Madison Square Garden. Miracles do happen, right?!

Fortunately, I do have a concrete phone interview with one of Prince’s former band members tomorrow. I’m really excited, and I hope it goes well.

Stay with me!