Speaking of high school…

Perhaps most notably in the highlight reel was the moment during the set when I felt it prudent to let my dad have some time on the microphone to sing a song that he and I used to perform when I was a wee little lass in high school at our regular Wednesday night gig at the Howlin’ Wolf. The song title: “Sperm Bank Nurse.” 

Sperm Bank Nurse only has one verse. And it’s a doozy. I’m attaching the video for your enjoyment/horror. I’ll type the lyrics out so you can follow along… And listen for Katherine Klimitas saying “Oh my God” over and over as she watches the drama unfold…

“Sperm Bank Nurse” Key of G ( – as if it really matters)

“I fell in love with a Sperm Bank Nurse. 

She found my heart, she found it first.

Never knew love could feel this way.

Now I’m donating three times a day.

She’s got me in the p-p-p-palm of her hand.

She’s my sperm bank nurse, and I’m her Spec-i-Man.”

Pure poetry. “Sperm Bank Nurse” is followed by a really great song that my dad wrote called “Love Won’t Do” featuring D’arcy Malone and me on vocals. This was another song dad and I used to play back in the day. So basically every Wednesday night, my dad, our friend Doug Belotte (drums) and I would join forces as The Cranston Clements Healing Machine and play a late-night set. Then I’d have to get up Thursday and go to school. Lame. 

Here’s a very rare photograph from those days:

This picture was taken somewhere between ‘98 and ‘99. Let’s talk about my outfit. This is a typical show outfit for me in high school. Multi-colored spandex tank top, black velvet mini-skirt, giant fish-scale patterned stockings, hot pink wig with neon green sunglasses on top, and pink plastic “slinky” bracelets. A masterpiece if I do say so myself. And apparently I’m still not tired of wearing wigs onstage. (See videos of Sugarland’s cover of “Love Shack.”)

I also appreciate the fact that my eyes are closed in this pic, which indicates that I’m either so into the music or so embarrassed about “Sperm Bank Nurse” that I don’t want to open them. 

Well, those were some crazy days and I enjoyed an opportunity to tap into those old Healing Machine days with dad during our show. For those of you who were present, thanks so much for being there! It was a blast! Hope you’ve enjoyed the show as well as this glimpse into a fairly unconventional childhood…

Speaking of New Orleans, I will be playing a big show on Friday, Jan. 15th back home in N.O. with a project called The Chillun’s. The Chillun’s began back in 2001 when I was in college and was the brainchild of good friends Harry Hardin and Andre’ Bohren (a fellow Chillun.) Basically there are a bunch of really talented musicians in New Orleans and those musicians have gone on to breed more musicians. So… why not start a band of rockin’ dads and their aspiring offspring? And so The Chillun’s were born. Literally and figuratively.

The line up is my dad Cranston on guitar, me on bass and vocals, Dave Malone (The Radiators) on guitar and his two kids Johnny and Darcy on vocals, and Spencer Bohren on slide guitar and his son Andre’ on the drums. We perform once a year around the holidays at Tipitina’s and play our favorite Beatles, Motown, and dad-penned songs. 

We played a very special show back in May of this year and got to open the stage for Sugarland when S.Land played Jazz Fest! So I got to start the show and end the show. It was one of the best days of my life and I don’t think I’ve ever seen more of my family all in one place. It was bigger than Christmas. 

Some pics from that day:

  Here’s all the Chillun’s 

From left to right: Johnny, Darcy, Andre’ and me – opening the show with an a cappella number

 The dads, rockin’ out!

From left to right: Spencer, Dave, and my dad Cranston!

  Then Sugarland closed the show! Quint Davis (head of Jazz Fest) said he didn’t think anyone had ever opened AND closed the same stage on one day. It’s Jazz Fest history! And check out me and Jen’s feathered wings and tail. The Mardi Gras Indians joined us on this number as well. Awesome.

So, it’s highly recommended that if you’re in the area, you come on out to this show. The show starts at 10 pm and it’s gonna be a late one! The address is 501 Napoleon Ave., New Orleans, LA! If you need more details, advance tickets or directions check out this link here.

Hope to see you there! Who Dat!

-Annie