Celebrate Me Home

So, “What inspired me to record “Celebrate Me Home?”

Well, in so many ways this has been a dream of mine for years.

I was an All-American basketball player in high school, and after my sophomore year at St. Ignatius, I transferred back home to Shaker Hts. High School in Cleveland, Ohio.  As part of a “welcome home” celebration, a friend suggested that I join the dance club.  When I got there and saw about 30 girls in tights, I was sold!  Count me in!

Now, one of our favorite dances was performed to Kenny Loggins’, “This is It.”  By that time I had recruited about 15 other athletes and it was an amazing production.

So fast forward a couple of years to 1982 and my friends Danielle and Staci had tickets to see Kenny Loggins at Blossom Music Center.  Dani couldn’t go, I think the ticket was probably about $8 bucks, so Staci and I went to the show.

Well, the show was AMAZING, and the encore song was “Celebrate Me Home.”  But, what I remember the most was the conversation I had with one of the roadies.  He said, “Man, I’ve done a lot of shows with a lot of different artists, but what I like most about this tour is that Kenny is a really cool dude.  He treats me fair, and is just a cool guy.”

I never forgot that, and have followed his career ever since that day.

So fast forward some 40 years to this past June.  Tatiana and I were rehearsing “Little Girl.” for my 1^st annual Father’s Day Celebration and Benefit for Homeless Fathers and Daughters.  It’s an event partnership I have with Frontline Community Services.

We were at the house of a great friend of mine, Darian Emory.  He’s an amazing sax player and you’ve heard him on several of my projects.   After rehearsal Darian and I were just catching up and he said, “E, it’s time for you to do a Christmas project.”

Now, I’ve been asked to do a Christmas project for years, but I think the reason that this is the right time is because I don’t want to miss any more “moments.”  I’m 60 years old, and now that Mom and Dad are in heaven the whole meaning of “celebrate me home” has kinda taken on a new meaning for me.    All in all I have a good life, and the time I get to share with my family, wherever they/we are, is worthy of a celebration!

When we first sat down to come up with some ideas for this song I had a few ideas that were a lot closer to the original version.   But, when I was presented with an idea that took the song from a gospel waltz jazz feel to a more of an R&B feel, that’s when the creative juices really started to flow.   I wanted to take some of the influences from R&B slow jams, Motown runs and harmonies, and have a huge salsa party sprinkled with that classic night club old school flava.

So I called my man Andre Collins, and said, “Dre!, I got an idea.”

“E. I don’t know, but I’m up for the challenge.”

It took a while to get it right, but it’s hot!  Then I called Wizard Jones, and told him I need a beautiful intro, full of strings that will blend well with the beginning of the song, and then I had Derwin Daniels put a sax on this thing that makes this song legendary.  Soon after that, Tammy Harper agreed to help arrange and sing background vocals.

When we finished, I thought we had something really special.

So, I hope that “Celebrate Me Home” brings a lot of joy to you and your friends and family not only this holiday season, but for all of the celebrations of your life and the lives of those you love!

All the best!

E.

Celebrate Me Home

Written by Kenny Loggins and Bob James

Produced by E. Walter Smith and Andre Collins

Instrumental Intro by Reginal “Wizard” Jones

Sax by Derwin Daniels

Background Vocals by Tammy Harper for TamTunes

Recorded by Jafari Jeter for Farra Jarro Music

Mixed by Jacques Richmond

Mastered by Earle Holder – HDQTRZ Mastering Studios