Throwback to one of the wildest and most unforgettable nights of my Broadway career—the opening night of Ain’t Too Proud - The Life And Times Of The Temptations on March 21st, 2019, and performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Playing live on national TV was already a huge deal, but throw in a mad dash through Times Square with a police escort to make it back to the Imperial Theatre for opening night? That took it to another level.
After performing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon at 5 PM, we still had to race across town to the Imperial Theatre for our Ain’t Too Proud opening night. Traffic leaving Rockefeller Center was brutal, and for a moment, it looked like we might not make it. But somehow, we pulled up just in time.
I had a click track in my ears during this Tonight Show performance—same with the music director. The band and lead vocals were 100% live, but the background vocals were pre-recorded and locked to the click.
Here’s a little secret that not many folks—maybe not even most of my Ain’t Too Proud cast and bandmates—know: between “Get Ready” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” I had four clicks to cue me into the next tune. I was supposed to kick things off with that classic Benny Benjamin intro fill… but with the adrenaline rushing, nerves firing, and Questlove and The Roots watching from the wings, I skipped the fill and went straight into the groove.
Thankfully—it worked. But man, knowing millions of people were watching, then thinking about how we had to jet across town and race to opening night right after this? My head was spinning.
Looking back, I’m grateful for moments like that—creating something meaningful, making people smile, and sharing the stage with some of the best in the business. Ain’t Too Proud should still be running, no doubt—but that’s a convo for another day. For now, I’m just appreciating the journey. And with what I’m working on over the next few weeks, maybe there’s one more Broadway run in my future.
But if not? I’m good. I’ve had my shot—and I truly hope you get yours. There’s nothing like the feeling of playing a show. It’s one of the most rewarding experiences a musician can have.
Have you ever had one of those moments where you knew the show or song like the back of your hand—but then one little thing throws you off? Let me know. I know I’m not the only one. Leave a comment here:
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