Lucky 7 is the celebration of the life of Carl and Shirley Adams to whom the CD is dedicated. They met and married in the small town of Bishop, WV and were married over 60 years before my father's passing at 89 years old. Mom lived to the ripe old age of 87 years. They had 7 children: Sherman, Yvonne, Juanita, Carl Jr., Tyrone, Ivan, and Susette. We considered ourselves blessed more than lucky, because what defined the lives of our parents was love and dedication to God, belief in the life and divine nature of our Lord and Saviour Jesus, and appreciation for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Life in Bishop revolved around the church and your upbringing was truly a community project. Your home was the community and life revolved around Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church. It is where I learned to sing and play music. My father had the wisdom to make me take piano music lessons. It is where I write my music. My mother listened to Gospel and Big Band music while working around the house. I could still hear the sweet sounds of Mahalia Jackson and Duke Ellington in my mind as I write. Dad's favorites were The Mills Brothers, Nat King Cole, and Count Basie. My brothers introduced me to Jazz and RnB music. George Duke, Miles Davis, Bird Parker, Earth Wind & Fire could be heard on any given day. My love for the bass started when I first heard Stanley Clarke on the George Duke classic "Reach For It". I often listen to The Clarke/Duke Projects 1, 2 and 3. They are cherished possession. Oh yeah, I can't leave out Rock and Country music which dominated the radio stations in southern West Virginia. American Bandstand and Soul Train were Saturday rituals. But come Sunday Morning, life was Sunday School, Church Service, and Sunday afternoon dinner with the pastor. Life was simple, pure and oh so very good. My sisters are the darlings of the family. They lived the music. I could write each day of the year about their lives and strength of purpose. They succeeded against some incredible odds, which is a testament to perseverance. It is why "This Is My Story" sung by my best friend, Pastor Chip, has so much meaning to me and had to be included on this CD. The rich, religious teachings and history passed down from generation to generation in Bishop, WV and southern West Virginia could best be summed up by the lives of the little girls raised in the hollows of those little coal mining towns. None of them more true to the testament of determination, application, and dedication to a purpose and way of life than in Bishop. My sisters are just a small sampling of this truth that we hold so dear and near to our hearts. Their friends, especially The Golden Girls, are unique examples of love and friendship. It reminds me of my father asking me: "Danny Boy, what is the greatest commandment?" Before I could answer, he would say: "Love the Lord thy God with all of thy heart, soul, mind, and strength. But likened unto it, love thy neighbor as thyself. On these 2 commandments, hang all of the laws and the prophets." My sisters and their friends truly embodied love. Long live The Golden Girls! Thank you Mom and Dad for teaching and loving us the right way. Thank you little town of Bishop, WV for raising generation after generation up as one family, born in the nurturing love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus, and reinforced in the teachings of a Sunday Morning service at Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church. We are more than a Lucky 7. In addition, I would like to give a special thanks to my wife, Donna, and my sons, Lance and Ivan Jr. (Bud). Their unwavering support and love are unmatched and greatly appreciated. Big ups to Lance for playing the saxophone and trumpet into my Triton LE Workstation, which along with the Yamaha Motif ES6, is the foundation to my horn sound unless specifically identified on a track like Funk-a-Doodle, where Ed Thomas was fantastic. By the way Lance, "Marching Band" is for you and your love of Aggie Pride, the best marching band on planet earth. To my business partner who remains anonymous, thank you for investing in my dream and remaining consistent throughout the years. Pastor Chip Hall and Anthony Donaldson are my best friends. Their counsel and encouragement are invaluable. I can't say enough about my best friends. To all of my family and friends, especially The Butcher of Golfers (Sherman Tyrone) and Southern Comfort, just know that I love you all. I hope you, along with my fans, will enjoy this CD.