Although musicians John McDaniel and Lennie Watts both grew up in St. Louis at about the same time, they didn’t meet until Watts made a brief guest appearance on the Rose O’Donnell Show when McDaniel was her bandleader. They have stayed in touch off and on over the years as each has pursued a career in New York City, but have been closer the last couple of years working together at the O’Neal Theatre Center’s Cabaret Performance Conference. While there, they started thinking about a project they could do together. “It was a year and a half ago, and I said, ‘we should do a Christmas show in St. Louis,’” said McDaniel, “so we have been planning it and putting it together ever since.”
As a result, the pair has returned home to celebrate Christmas with their families and present their cabaret show “Celebrate Me Home” at the Kranzberg Arts Center December 16 and 17. They will be joined by vocalist Kay Love in the performances.
Both Watts and McDaniel have fond memories growing up in St. Louis and especially enjoy coming back to their home town for Christmas. “It’s really not Christmas for me until I hit St. Louis, which is funny because New York is like the Christmas capital of world,” said Watts.
Related Event
What: John McDaniel and Lennie Watts Present “Celebrate Me Home”
When: Dec. 16 and 17 at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.
Where: Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103
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