As the first cold of winter cuts across the Michigan landscape, children both young and old look toward the holidays. There are events planned, and shopping to do. For most, it is the shopping that seems to the primary focus and in the midst of all the parties, gifts and anticipation remains the truth behind the season. That simple truth was brought home to me by a child. It did not come with ribbons or wrapped in colorful paper, and once I held it in my hands there was no returning it. How can you return a few words from a child? Words that cut straight through to the heart.       
     ”Daddy the only thing I want for Christmas is to be with you.”  The soft honesty coming from my fourteen year old daughter, leaves me without words, and a renewed sense of what this time of year really means. For Taylor and I it is to treat each event and each weekend as our gift. *The best gifts are the ones that can be shared, they are perfect moments. They cannot be boxed or wrapped they happen and we hold them in our memories. Such was the Christmas concert performed by Thornetta Davis at the Pix theater in Lapeer Michigan. * It was decided that this would be one of the things that Taylor and I would share this Christmas season. Yes it would be part of our time, but together we would share it with friends. Eight other friends, as a night on the town in the perfect location for a Christmas concert.     
     The Pix theater(http://www.ci.lapeer.mi.us/PIX.htm) in the last decade has undergone a complete restoration. It is a 1940 art deco facade restored to original condition. The Pix has through the help of many small kindnesses evolved. It is no longer exclusively a movie house. It is venue for plays and concerts, which still features movies occasionally. Things change, but sometimes the beauty of the past is given a new purpose and with a sleight of hand and creativity timeless treasures are able to remain.       
     We lingered outside under the neon lights, Taylor and Elizabeth (her best friend since first grade) laughed and talked as only fourteen year old girls can. We exchanged greetings with old friends that reappeared from the past. We fought back the cold to enjoy the night air and lights that decorate the streets. Now the cold was winning and there needed to be time for the concession stand before we took our seats. With my daughter tucked under my arm and her best friend in tow the night was only getting better.       
     With still a little time left before the show. Taylor tugs at my arm and says “we have twenty dollars, we’re going to get snacks!”  What? Wait, where did you get…. at this point I see Josh my friend and fellow writer standing behind the girls, grinning. “You know they need snacks for the show” he says through his grin. He had me there. It was after all in my world their night.     With their popcorn and sodas in place, “yes the girls even gave Josh his change” the house lights come down. The band is tight, but I still wondered, “Funky blues Christmas?” I’m not much of a Christmas music fan, but I love good music. A live performance is always the best in my world. The fun would be in watching my friends, and in hearing what Thornetta did to blend her sound with some of the classics.      
      I have to honest; I hyped Thornetta to the girls and to my friends. I have been a fan of her music for fifteen years. The first time I experienced one of her live shows was at a performance at the Detroit Institute of Art. The world stood still for just a little while as she performed.            
     Thornetta’s band was formed in 1986 giving this gifted woman 25 years of experience. Her guitarist Paul Carey, keyboardist Phil hale, and drummer Dave Marcaccio energized the crowd and kept  Thornetta’s fan on their feet. With a sound that was born in the city of Detroit and her own natural gifts honed and sharpened by the music that came before her it was impossible to be in her presence without feeling the magic of her talent. Adding the natural talent to the hard work this group puts into their music, you have something that touches anyone that has the opportunity to hear her http://www.thornettadavis.com/.       
     As the band began to fall into a groove the audience did the same. Heads and bodies moving with the music. Classic songs like “Rock Around The Christmas Tree” a version of Chuck Berry’s “Run, Run, Rudolph” were owned by Thornetta and the guys at that point. It is when a musician gives what they have to a piece of music and adds to the best that was written that they have moved past it being another cover. This was done over and over throughout the night.       
     One true measure of any performer is how they deal with the problems of a live performance. Do they work through or does it set them back. This night bad monitors, could have taken a less seasoned performer to the edge. It did not happen with Thornetta. A few jokes and the second set was flawless. The group seem to be in even better sink. I say this because all I had to do was look at my daughter and friends that were now dancing in the isles. The performance was enough to make me start listening to Christmas music in July, well maybe not. I did go home that night and re-tune my tela-caster guitar to a drop D because I had heard to sweetest version of Silent Night I had ever heard. A song that I had never taken much interest in playing before.       
     A standing ovation, encores and it was almost over. Almost, because Thornetta met and greeted people as they left. We were the ones that were entertained, but this woman had a truly thankful spirit. She thanked us for being there for her. She talked with the girls and joked with Josh and I, signed CD’s and did a few photos. This is impressive after a performance like hers.        
     So it is Christmas, and the real gift was given to me by a child. Perhaps that is what this time of year has always been about, no matter else you believe, we can all believe in and be children for awhile  




    The Tin Man