Ok, let me start by saying it's been a mighty long time since I've put pen to paper. - I'm sorry y'all.
I have been blessed enough to work with a few of Detroit's movers and shakers in the House music scene., but Saturday September 19th I got to co-host the livest party no one knew about. An impromptu set by 3 Chairs ( yes all of em)!
Moodyman straight off a flight from God knows where. Marcellus from somewhere, Rick straight outta wherever he came from., and then there was Theo Parrish.-this was his baby
I first met Theo at The Grasshopper Underground, which not only has one of the coolest set ups and sound systems ( IMO) but also THEE finest club owner in the metro Detroit area- yeah Troy, I'm talking about YOU!
Hot, sweaty, full of life and energy. I took a picture of both he and Marcellus- and for the record I hate it when people call him Malik its., M-A-R-C-E-L-L-U-S Pittman! Marcellus!! HOW THE FUCK DO YOU GET "MALIK" OUTTA MARCELLUS Pittman. Maybe its just me?
Anywho...back to the Theo thing! Sooo.. anywho I meet this overly cheesy guy smiling like he had just won the lottery. Just a happy camper., wait not so much!
In my observation, Theo is complicated, complex, passionate, a talker, a thinker, a doer a musical genius. This Cat has more layers to him than an onion. He loves hard-if he loves ya, he is an educator, conscience of who and what he is.
Now I don't know him like THAT but what I have observed is all that I have mentioned above. Jazz, funk, disco, soul, influence him and his production prowess. Again, Theo is a musical genius, a madman( and I say that with much love and respect).
He seldom meets a stranger but do NOT be fooled into thinking he is your friend. You are an acquaintance, he'll kick it with you, chop it up even. But he is always ALWAYS trying to figure out what YOUR real motive is. ( again... just my observation)
I got better antiquated with Theo at The Motor City Wine. Oh Lord, that dreadful day. I have to say I was in my happy place, and The Motor City Wine was the place to be! Everyone was there, including a lil white kid named Rennie Foster ( a dynamic DJ in his own right).
Now what I'm about to say is PUBLIC knowledge cause everyone who was someone was there. ( cept 2 people- who where just there via happenstance).
So back to ( what I term, the Theo incident). This Cat just wanted to met his musical idol, and Mr. Parrish was NOT having it. Cause just in case ya didn't know Theo is sooo not afraid of, "gettin you together"!
I see Jason Garcia trying to keep these two cats from going to blows, now shout out to Rennie cause lil dude held his own. Jason, the peace keeper was doing his very best to keep them to a dull roar, and Rick and Marcellus just looked on! I wanted to say, "yall get cha boy" but I also know my place, so I kept my mouth shut! David A-P was on guard watchful, but kept his distance. I mean we ALL know the REAL muscle is Melissa, and she was floating in and out of the wine bar all smiles and rainbows!
It pained me to see these two do this during such a beautiful time. (MOVEMENT weekend) After the melee was over I decided to do the "PJ" thing and give them both a little TLP ( tender loving Paula).
It was at that moment I realized that all he wanted to do was just be Ted, Theodore, Teddy, we talked at length and I understood the measure of this beautifully flawed complex individual! I mean, yeah I know all of the chairs...but I don't know them know them like that. cept Rick ok and maybe Marcellus (M-A-R-C-E-L-L-U-S) and Kenny aka Moodyman, well... I mean its Moody, the man that with one look can make a God fearin C.O.G.I.C. woman drop her panties in the middle of a sermon and let him have his way with her. Yeah, Moody got it like that!- Not to short the others but Rick is like a brother and Marcellus (M-A-R-C-E-L-L-U-S) is my baby! and thinking of them any other way is gross lol I mean I know they have had their fair share of pantage ( panties) but they have never dipped into my fantasies on the other hand Kenny aka Moodyman has dropped by on more than a few occasions- ok, what was I talking about..oh, oh yeah, the "Theo" incident. So I'm talking to this Theo Cat and I look him in his eyes and I could see and tell everything he was thinking. He felt bad ( he may never admit it, but he did) but at THAT moment in time he just wanted to be Ted! His eyes are indeed the window to his soul. So many things were running through that complicated mind of his but all he wanted was autonomy.
We hugged and ended our conversation. Fast forward again, The Motor City Wine., again the passionate individual we all know as Theo Parrish was in the zone! Again we talked and I do believe it was at that moment Theo wanted me down with his team and honestly I wasn't going to turn the man down. A few months later I found out that Theo overheard me having a convo with ( insert anybody) and his exact thoughts were. " That Bitch is smart" I know cause he told me., hence the quotation marks. I was SO not offended by the "bitch" comment!
I mean the 1st time I heard him I KNEW he was special, the 1st time I met him I was starstruck and then I had a conversation with him...yeah I was pretty ampt about that shit right there! He told me about something he had coming up and wanted me... ME to be a part of it!!! yaay me-( insert big cheesy grin)
AND IT WAS AMAZING!!!
The venue was dope as shit, anyone and everyone who was someone was there. It was invite only it was private, it was at an art gallery, it was simple, sexy, and the sounds were by Marc Duncan so you know it was real like really right!
Now let me take a moment for a PSA, People if you are going to a party PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE use some soap and water- cause them kids were funky as SHIT!! I know your parents taught yall nasty asses how to hop in and out the shower and use soap whilst ya in there.
Rule #1 Do NOT take pictures! You will get put in ya place!-unless authorized
Rule #2 If Theo turns the music off, the party is not over, he just wants to tell you something.. listen!
Rule #3 Do NOT drag an already drunk guy and expect to get in the party!
Rule #4 Refer to the PSA above!
Theo played like I think ALL DJs should play...with intensity, passion, love, a musical education. You don't get the top 40 House we hear week end and week out! I know it makes us feel good and I know we like the same ol'shit but House is more than what we hear! As Tomika Murry put it., Theo Parrish gives you LIFE!
Theo didn't want to be Ted that night he wanted to be Theo Parrish, he wanted to give you all he had to give as a "thank you" he wanted to do what he was born to do. He is both gifted and talented.
The Huckaby's were there... BOTH of em, - damn I HATE I didn't get a picture with those two.. Alton, Keith, Malik ( the REAL Malik) and his lovely wife, one of my all time favs John Collins and a host of others. It was swank, classy, funky, hell the A-P's even dropped by... and stayed. I kept thinking, well who in the hell is watching the wine bar cause these two are getting their gig ALL the way on.
Will this continue, well that's yet to be seen. Will you get an invite? ( I have NO control over that) Will you get way more than what you bargained for... indeed! Will I be a part of it? God willing.
What I DO know is Theo, while complicated, complex, and passionate is all that and more! - just please don't take a picture of that man lol! unless authorized-again, LOL!
Im going to end with this.. A few months ago both he and Rick played at a local spot, in two DIFFERENT rooms... that my friends is a NO-NO. While each member is a phenomenon by themselves they work best when they play together! If you have them on the bill they play together NOT separate.
....and THAT night, Saturday September 19th those who were there got a chance to see what and who we are all about..taking this House thing to another level. Educating and showing love through music. No ego's no "hurry up and get off so I can get on" just doing and giving people want they want...and the people danced!
Let The Music Play
P~
..and now something I know you'll REALLY love.
https://youtu.be/yMpWm9kjMh8
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