Charlotte Royalty, Anthony Hamilton - Hot Sauce

I believe the ancestors would have been tickled pink to see us Black Folks, being treated like royalty, with elaborate table settings, and scrumptious fixings of cornbread, fish and collard greens. Gathering at Londa's Place, a castle that some would have never imagined one of us owning, we packed all hues of Black and Browns to honor the gift of one. You see, while the world cries gloom over many state affairs, on the 30th day of July, some of us put that aside and had a private celebration with Charlotte's Royalty, Anthony Hamilton and his new book, “Cornbread Fish’n Collard Greens”.

There was not an entourage or “pomp and circumstance” for him. I actually saw the large brim hat which he wore like a crown before I saw his face. Sporting a flaming hot shirt, that graced his presence and a Colgate smile, he entered the same door as everyone else. The man is truly cool. Once he got to the mic, everyone fell in love with his awesome sense of humor. All the while I’m thinking how can Black Line get an interview. 

A man after God’s own heart, he said the grace so we could eat, as stomachs rumbled to the aroma of soul cuisine comforting the place. Then opportunity aroused, while eating, he made a joke about any woman having hot sauce in her purse. I quickly picked up the hot sauce from the table and raised my hand. But he responded, “no baby it needs to come out of your purse”. The crowd laugh and I felt like I dipped my toe in the pool. 

Everyone got a book and he did a question and answer session, to fun and laughs. Without him even knowing, he sung one of my 99 year old grandma’s favorites, “Goin’ Up A Yonder” before signing his masterpiece which I am reading now. 

Anthony Hamilton is about hope, love and community building. I tried to be last getting my book signed but there is always someone who wants it more. I put that bottle of hot sauce in my purse and made my way through the line. I was too nervous to tell him how to sign my book so I pulled out the hot sauce. He laughed and just like God, he wrote in my book, “Let’s connect and Bless the People”. Wow, I had my interview. An honor to meet such a musician, author but most importantly, Mighty Man of God.