It wasn't until I started to read short stories - by people like Alice Munro, Mavis Gallant, John Updike... Eudora Welty - that I became excited about the possibilities of writing.
I heard Smokey Robinson was singing one of my songs on the radio the other day. Being in the presence of Mavis Staples, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott - Stevie Wonder joined me on stage recently. That blows me away.
I was asked to sing with Mavis Staples on a gospel compilation called 'Oh Happy Day.' And, you know, other than being totally intimidated at the prospect of singing with Mavis, I was honored. I don't really have much of a background in gospel music.
Dracula: [Dracula reading a tale book to little Mavis in the bed] And then the monsters ran away and were forced into hiding. But Harry the Human found them and jumped out from under their bed.
Young Mavis: [Mavis hides the bedding] I'm scared!
Dracula: And burned their clothes, and bit their toes!
[Dracula seeks bedding and
not seen little Mavis]
Dracula: And took their candy!
[Dracula looks down little Mavis in the bedroom's hide]
Young Mavis: Don't take my candy.
Dracula: Babyclaws, you don't need to be frightened. I promised your mommy I would protect you forever.
[first lines]
Dracula: Peek-a-boo!
Baby Mavis: [crying]
Dracula: No, no, no, no, no. I didn't mean to starle you, my little baby. Shh, shh, shh.
Dracula: [Dracula singing to baby Mavis] Hush, little vampire, don't say a word / Papa's gonna bite the head off a bird
Dracula: A-bitty-goo-bah! I vant
to kiss your *tush.*
[Dracula kissing tush to baby Mavis and changes the diaper]
Dracula: I vant to kiss your *tush!*
Bert: It's true that Mavis and Sybil have ways that are winning, and Prudence and Gwendolyn set your heart spinning! Phoebe's delightful, Maude is disarming...
Penguins: Janice, Felicia, Lydia...
Bert: ...charming! Cynthia's dashing, Vivian's sweet! Stephanie's smashing, Priscilla's a treat.
Penguins:
Veronica, Millicent, Agnes, and Jane...
Bert: ...convivial company, time and again. Dorcas and Phyllis and Glynis are sorts I will agree are three jolly good sports, but cream of the crop, tip of the top - It's Mary Poppins, and there we stop!