The Adorable The Beautiful Alicia Keys

Remember how I said yesterday was going to be a good day? It was. And at 5
o'clock, it got even better.

Drew, my friend and colleague, showed up in my office and said he had an extra ticket to see Alicia Keys perform at a private event at NYU. Isn't it good to be FOD (friend of Drew)?

By 6:45 we were bypassing hundreds of people waiting for a seat. That's
another benefit of FOD. And I said it was private, not small! There was a
reception first, and Hoda Kotb, host of the 14th hour of the Today show was
there. She's beautiful and tall.

Then for the next hour-and-a-half, Alicia talked about her career, her
inspiration, and when asked, offered some advice for young artists.

She talked about hopes, dreams, love and leading with the truth. Someone
told her once that a great song has three chords and the truth. So there you
have it. She also said some days you just have to buckle up your boot straps
and get to work.

And work she did!

But first, Jermaine Paul, one of Alicia's back up singers, opened the show
with three songs. His single "Airplane" is out now. The guy has an
interesting sound, and I say check it out.

And then the beautiful Miss Alicia took the stage. It didn't take long
before everyone was on their feet - she sang some of the old, some of the
new, and I'll tell you, she was terrific. Her new album "Elements of

Freedom" releases Dec. 1 - get it! It's pretty clear that she's been through some rough times lately, and there's truth in those new songs.

At this point I should wish Sal, my friend and faithful reader, a happy birthday.

And speaking of friends - a bunch of dear ones from all corners of my life are either in town or on their way. I can't wait to see them later today.

But for now, time to buckle up my boot straps and get to work.

And as Alicia says, "No one, no one, no one can get in the way of what I'm
feelin..."