YSB NEWSLETTER Extra!, MARCH 2010

MY TRIP TO THE GRAMMY’S, JAN 29-FEB 2, 2010

by Yonrico Scott

I was blessed to go out to L.A. for the 52 nd Annual Grammy’s.   I flew into L.A., and, I’m very proud of myself.   I basically road-managed my trip with the help of Blake Budney, the manager for the Derek Trucks Band.   I got to L.A. two days before the event, stayed at the Sheraton near the airport, rented a nice car, and drove down to pick up my tickets at the Los Angeles Convention Center, next door to the Staples Center where the Lakers play.   And when I went in to pick up my tickets, I was very surprised – there was actually a small line.   And they were so nice to me – as hospitable as some of my friends in the South.   You sometimes hear stories about people in L.A. being rude, but there was none of that. I was so happy they treated me well – gave me a couple passes to parties and also made sure I parked where I wouldn’t have to walk far, and it was just wonderful.   And at that time, I knew it was going to be a wonderful trip.   Little did I know it was going to be my best trip.   So after that, I went to the hotel, chilled, and got online to do some stuff.   The second day, I hung out with an old friend of mine, Joe Carroll, who’s a record executive in L.A, and we went and had a nice lunch.   He recommended I go to an industry party and it was really low-key.   At the end of the party, Parliament Funkadelic performed and that was awesome.   The next day, I went to a party by The Roots.   I’ve always been a fan of The Roots – I’m really a fan of their sets.   The band is led by a drummer.   And me being a drummer, I’m always partial to bands led by drummers.   The drummer’s name is Questlove, and he was the nicest guy.   He was very warm and open and we hung out and talked a little… not about drumming or anything in particular, just talked about L.A. and stuff, in general.  

It was at that party, I walked the red carpet for the first time – well, actually, it was a green carpet, because the event had a green theme.   This was the The Roots’ 6 th Annual Jam and it was produced by a ‘Go Green’ association, and they did a green t-shirt, made out of natural products, and the whole jam session / Grammy party was eco-friendly.   But what I really liked about it was the music.   And this was totally about music and I laughed because when I got on the green carpet, the first thing they asked me was “What are you wearing?” and I laughed and said, “A big hat!”   And they said, “Who did your hat?”   And I answered, “Detroit.”   And, they were like, ‘Ok.’   And I showed ‘em my shirt and my jeans.   The music was great.   I got to talk with John Legend a little.   Then the highlight of the evening for me was hanging with someone I’ve known for awhile, Jonathan Batiste – a name to remember.   He’s a great piano player who lives in NY by way of New Orleans.   And he actually sat in with the Derek Trucks Band at the Jazz Festival in New Orleans when we were on tour with Santana.   At that festival, we closed the blues stage, and it was off the chain.   It was one of the most amazing concerts I think we’ve ever done in our sixteen years.   It was like all the pistons were firing all at the same time, baby.   It was unbelievable.   Jonathan just put the icing on that cake. He’s a beautiful player.   Look out for that name -- he also plays with Cassandra Wilson and Roy Hargrove, and he was brought to L.A. by the Lincoln Center Orchestra. They financed his trip to L.A. to play for The Grammy’s.  

The next day was the Grammy’s… and I woke up and did a Skype cast – a video message to everyone -- and after the Skype cast, I went down to The Grammy’s, and I had to go down at 12 noon.   The early presentation was a very long presentation that starts at 1:00pm, and you have to get there on time because you never know.    And I must have sat there for a couple hours, and by the time they got to the Contemporary Blues category, we had gone through 6-8 different award presenters.   And when Jimmy Jam got up to present the award, I was happy.   I actually knew him from Atlanta, where he started his illustrious producing career.   He produced a band called the S.O.S. Band and he was on the road with Prince.   When he got up, he gave out a couple awards, and then our category came up.   And, I just said, “Oh no, here we go.”   And, I didn’t think we (the Derek Trucks Band) were going to win.   And we won!  

I am really blessed that we won because of the company we had in that category.   It’s a total blessing.   Robert Cray is a great player, singer, artist, and he was there.   We talked.   He’s a very nice man, and he was there with his beautiful wife.   Mavis Staples… she wasn’t there, but Ruthie Foster was there, who I actually have pictures of me and Ruthie – I love her band.   And, of course, Susan Tedeschi, whom I’m very partial of… and I love her.   She’s like a sister.    We were in the midst of great company.   So for us to win with an overwhelming number of votes, was such an honor.   And it’s still like a dream.  

After that untelevised segment, I went on to the televised portion of the awards show, and hung out with probably my favorite two people there, Ringo Starr, because I’ve always been a fan of The Beatles, and Mick Fleetwood… drummers.   You know, drummers, we got to stick together.   Who’s that guy that hangs out with the band?   The Drummer!   Okay, now I don’t want to hear any drummer jokes.   So, I got to hang out with my drummer boys, and that was awesome.   And still about a month later, and I am in a total daze about that experience.   And, ‘Thank You Everyone!’ for believing in the Derek Trucks Band and believing in something I’m a part of, and I am going to try with every molecule of my strength to keep the torch burning.

My Acceptance Speech on behalf of the Derek Trucks Band

My Fan Message prior to the beginning of the Grammy’s (from my hotel room!)