Rafael Gayol on What I Deserve

Dear Kelly, Edmonton was our final performance for the final Lilith Fair date-1999. To be certain, there were more than two folks in the audience cheering you on by then. We all stood up onstage with every band member and artist for the end-of-tour song of which I cannot recall. You, Me, Jerry Holmes, George Reiff and Amy Farris. The 1-2 punch-killer lineup and in the exclamation of Beatle Bob from the front of the stage in St.Louis, "Unstoppable!" It felt as if I had a very good run before our time together. However, it was then I learned to become a real disciplined performer. To listen to every nuance, to play to the room and enter it as professionally as we exited. The standard we rose to each and every night became easier to plateau, beckoning us to rise again and so we would do just that. You always gave me material in the studio to concentrate on, making each composition feel good, groove and rock steady. The takeaway first paid off when Bob Schneider declined my offer to record with him while his drummer was on the road with another artist for a month. It was explained to me by his producer Billy Harvey that Bob felt I was too country for his repertoire. I asked Billy to let him know I'd come in for free on one song and if he felt it wasn't a match, no hard feelings. Bob was gracious enough to invite me and perhaps a little curious as to how this would work. After recording seven songs for that album, he asked me to join. I owe a great deal of it to my time with you on the road, in the studio, in the van, either driving or curled up against the door. You're the best. Love~Raf