Gladys Knight Interview Page 4

Smitty:  What a great job with this project.  And the musicians….I know I can’t name them all, we don’t have the time, but….Russell Malone, Roy Hargrove….

GK: Yes!

Smitty:  David “Fathead” Newman.

GK:  I mean, I had the best.

Smitty:  Yes, you did.

GK:  When I walked into the studio that day and I saw David “Fathead” Newman getting ready to play on a song I was gonna do, I almost fell over.  (Both laughing) I’m not  kidding.  I mean, I’ve been hearing about this man all my life….

Smitty:  Yes, yes.

GK:  David “Fathead” Newman, and here comes Roy Hargrove, Jr.

Smitty:  You were in a once in a lifetime experience!

GK:  You know?  And then Chris Botti comes in.

Smitty:  Yeah.

GK:  I said “Oh my goodness!”  I mean, I’m just so elated, I am so blessed.

Smitty:  And the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, wow.

GK:  Yes!

Smitty:  Unbelievable.

GK:  John Clayton and Billy Child?  Come on, now.

Smitty:  Yes indeed. I highly recommend this project for any lover of music, period.

GK:  Oh, thank you so much!

Smitty:  Yes indeed.  This is a magnificent project. It really is, yes.

GK:  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Smitty:  You’re so welcome.  And I hope that we get to talk some more because….

GK: I do!

Smitty: ….this is fun. 

GK:  I’m sorry I took up so much of your time. You just really took me back that time.

Smitty:  Oh, no! Glady’s, it has been such an honor! This is my love. (Both laughing.)

GK:  But I do hope that they enjoy this music and I just wanted to bring it to the fore and let people know what a great contribution these wonderful artists made to this industry and dealing with just pure music, and that’s what I consider this music to be. Just pure music.

Smitty:  Well, I think I can speak for millions around the world in thanking you for doing this magnificent project.

GK:  Thank you.  It’s been my pleasure and I really do hope to see you real soon.

Smitty:  Ahh, thank you. I hope so too. We’ve been talking with the incomparable Ms. Gladys Knight.  You must check out this great new project and the magnificent DVD.  It’s called Before Me and it is all of that.  Gladys, thanks again and best of everything with this great project, your tour, and everything you’re doing in 2006.

GK:  Thank you so much, and I’ll see you soon.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

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