It's September 10, 2001 - I'm drunk on wine... i had spent the evening with my brother Daniel and our good friend Scott. I stumbled home to my small apartment in Brooklyn and fell into a deep sleep... in the early morning hours while i slept, the world changed forever.

For the next two weeks all shows at Irving Plaza, where i worked as a sound engineer, were canceled... everything below 14th St. was closed off to all vehicles. On the week we returned to work, we had three nights with the band Built to Spill. I remember during the first sound check, that Doug (guitarist, singer) didn't really need or desire any vocals in his monitors -- maybe just a tiny bit... already i was amazed (of course, as a monitor engineer, this makes my job alot easier - lots of other groups have the opposite philosophy - i.e. loud means louder --) The first night was excellent -- Built to Spill was traveling with 2 other opening acts - they all shared musicians and allowed for each other to sit in.. good music.. good people..

The thing is.. everyday i walked to work.. not only did i have to take the transfer from the F train to the 4/5 downtown -- and suppress the thoughts that would roll over me as i try to hold my breath and not breathe in the horrid smells of that subway interchange... but while passing through the square by 14th St.. and Irving Place, i would wade through the protesters and pacifists that had taken over park... alot of people... a weird kind of energy.

On the day of the final show by BTS, we were informed that the band wanted to rehearse in the afternoon before the show... what really happened was that Doug wanted to work up a special encore for the last show. He had gone out any purchased sheet music! As i watched him climb the stairs to the stage (my view is from the a high perch above stage right).. i noticed the song title on the music sheet... Imagine by John Lennon.. my heart sank - this is going to be good. Doug had a friend of his who played keyboards (he would come out and play the grand opening chords to 'Freebird' during the set) and the two set out to work up the song... i listened closely.. i know this song and can play it on several instruments. A couple of times there was a question as to what chord was to follow next.. so finally i simply blurted it out... "D-minor!" Doug gave me a cool look, and asked.. "you know this song?"... "yes," i replied.. As the rehearsal progressed, i moved down to the stage and simply sat on the drum riser... when i noticed the bass player climbing the stairs to the dressing room, i stopped him to ask if i might be allowed to play his bass?? Sure.. no problem. So i quietly picked up the bass and joined in on the rehearsal... after running through the song another two times... i moved to sit at the drumkit.. this way (i figure) i can play the kick drum with one foot and provide a high-hat with the other... and i can fill in with the bass.. (sidenote: you know i'm not exactly sure why i did all of this, but all i can say is that the spirit moved me). The three of us continued to play the song a few more times.. Doug seemed very happy and asked if i would be interested in playing the encore with him and the keyboardist... "yes... yes i would."

When the moment came, it was great.. i climbed down the ladder from my position at the monitor desk.. Doug introduced us and off we went... while a little nervous, the sight of a sold out crowd at Irving Plaza will do nothing if doesn't empower your spirit to sing out... i will never forget... i thanked Doug, especially for allowing Me to 'imagine' again...