As Always, we had a great time in Japan

Billboard Live-Tokyo

Every year since 2007 Sheena Easton has been asked to perform in Japan at either the Blue Note, the Cotton Club or Billboard Live. Prior to 2007 it had been 9 years since she was in Japan, but we've been there every year since.

Kicking off 2012 was no different. We performed 4 shows at Billboard Live in Tokyo and 2 shows in Osaka. The crowds were great in both cities. In Tokyo we were performing on a Friday and Saturday night so we were expecting some lively crowds, but in Osaka we were performing on a Monday night and we figured the crowds would be less. Not at all, we had about the same attendance in Osaka on a Monday night as we did in Tokyo and the crowds were just as lively.

The waitresses that served us in Osaka

It's always nice to see people that we've met before from performing there in the past. In the audience there are some regulars that we've seen every year at our performances since 2007, true die-hard Sheena Fans. Since I teach vocals 2-days a week at the California College of Music, otherwise known as CCM, many of the students have come from Japan. Some are there for a few months and others are there for year. My last 3-times in Japan I've been able to get together with them, have a bite, catch up on what's happening in their lives and of course they come to one of the shows.

This trip was no different, I was able to get together with about 7 of some former CCM students and faculty. We had dinner at a great restaurant and for the first time I had okonomiyaki for the first time and it was great. Osaka is known for okonomiyaki and the Osaka Station is right by our hotel and I never knew. That's why it's always good to have a local from the area show you the ropes.

From L-R, Saori, Tomo, Yuki, Phillip & Seiko

The Billboard Live Venues are always very organized. Our sound checks always run very smooth and the shows start on time. Since they do 2-shows a night they need to get the 1st crowd in, have the show get them out and the 2nd crowd in. Both audiences can have dinner before or during the show. So our performances are usually scheduled from 21/2-3 hours apart. For instance in Osaka, our first show was at 6:30 PM and our 2nd show was at 9:30 PM.

We hope to be back next year to have another great time, good food and great performances. This was our 6th trip traveling to Japan to perform with Sheena Easton.

In between our shows Billboard Live always has dinner ready for the performers. Well to show their love for Miss Easton, notice the pizza they prepared for our dinner:

Sheena Easton Pizza

As always, we had a great time in Japan,

Until next time - Phillip