My Dinner with Greg Edmonson . . .
POSTED BY: Cedric
UPDATED: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 23:43
VIEWED: 2943
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. . . and a general report on my weekend at ApolloCon and the LoneStar Shindig:
Last Friday was Joss Whedon's birthday, and Firefly/Serenity fans around the world celebrated with shindigs and charity screenings of Serenity. Joyce, April, and I started our celebration last Thursday night with a Serenity Now/Equality Now showing at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin. The theater was sold out, and I'm sure a hefty amount was raised for charity.
On Friday, we motored down to Houston for the LoneStar Shindig, which was held in conjunction with ApolloCon, a literary science fiction convention. The Houston Browncoats had brought in two Firefly-related guests for the convention: yours truly and Greg Edmonson, the composer of the Firefly soundtrack. This was my first time to appear solo as a guest performer at a convention, and it was also a new experience for Greg Edmonson, who is still getting used to the idea that his work has fans. Having watched all the behind-the-scenes features, I recognized the composer in the hotel hallway even before Houston Browncoat Sarah introduced us. When she said I was Cedric, a look of recognition crossed Greg's face, and he said, "Oh, from the Bedlam Bards!" I tried not to faint.
Though I was somewhat nervous about performing solo in an unfamiliar environment, I had a fantastic time this weekend. In addition to getting to hang out with Greg Edmonson during our joint autograph session and private dinner afterwards, I had the honor of sharing the stage with Peter S. Beagle (the author of The Last Unicorn) and filk star Steve Macdonald, a performer of such caliber that it was hard not to be intimidated in his presence. It would be easy to hate someone with that much charm, talent, skill, and ability. Despite that, he and I had a great time jamming in the con-suite during the wee hours of the morning. Indeed, we shared a number of jokes about being twins separated at birth.
One of the odd things about doing a convention was that I was actually scheduled to spend more time talking than singing or playing. In fact, I was only obligated to about an hour and a half of performance, whereas I was scheduled for four hour-long panel discussions, including one on why Firefly is still flying. That proved to be a very popular panel, with no fewer than seven panelists and a completely packed room of audience. Fortunately, the talented Lee Martindale did a great job of moderating; she kept the conversation going and made sure that each of the guests got a shot at each question. At the end of the panel, the last question involved making a prediction about whether there would be more Firefly/Serenity. The author panelist who spoke before me said she hoped there would be but really didn't expect it. Indeed, most of the panelists were pretty cautious. When my turn came up, I said, "Will there be more Firefly? Hell, yes!" I went on to make the argument that flandom is still growing, and that someday there would be so many Firefly fans that reviving the franchise would be inevitable. When I finished speaking, I'm pretty sure I heard an amen from one of the other panelists.
Another odd thing about playing a convention is simply how well-treated I was, especially by the Houston Browncoats. (At a faire, I'm just another performer. At a convention, I'm treated like a star, even though I really don't think I am one.) The Browncoats greeted me with a convention survival care package, which included not only basic toiletries, but also a LoneStar Shindig tee shirt (in my size!), a collection of chocolate, and a six pack of beer! They also laid in a supply of Diet Coke for me and made sure to feed me frequently. The organization provided a buxom, vivacious young brunette to serve as my CD girl; she was apparently so thrilled by the honor that she wrote "Buy CDs" in big letters across her chest. Yeah, really. The Browncoats also sent me home with a collection of shiny Firefly swag. I made out like a bandit, yet they couldn't stop thanking me for being there! The coolest thing I was given, though, came from Houston Br
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<---- Is extremely jealous!
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Quote:
Originally posted by Penguin:
So are you jealous because I dined with Greg or because I got to pose with two red-haired companions?
Maybe I should post a copy of that pic before you answer . . .
"Some things stay with you, 'til the day you die."
On the Drift: Music Inspired by Firefly and Serenity, now on sale at
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bedlambards/from/celtic
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Thanks for the lovely report. I wish I could have been there. Greg's music helped make the show spectacular, and your's helps keep the 'verse in motion!
I am a fan of one of the Firefly panelists, Shanna Swendson, so I have been looking forward to a report since she mentioned the panel. She writes great books, btw.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cedric:Quote:
Originally posted by Penguin:
So are you jealous because I dined with Greg or because I got to pose with two red-haired companions?
Maybe I should post a copy of that pic before you answer . . .
"Some things stay with you, 'til the day you die."
On the Drift: Music Inspired by Firefly and Serenity, now on sale at
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bedlambards/from/celtic]
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cliomuse:
I am a fan of one of the Firefly panelists, Shanna Swendson, so I have been looking forward to a report since she mentioned the panel. She writes great books, btw.
Being on a panel with her was a real pleasure. So many people made so many great observations that I'm reluctant to quote the things she said about Firefly, for fear of misquoting her. But I remember thinking that she hit the nail on the head with many of her comments.
"Some things stay with you, 'til the day you die."
On the Drift: Music Inspired by Firefly and Serenity, now on sale at
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bedlambards/from/celtic
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