Christian's Photo Album

*page 4*

	Here is the promotional photograph I often use in print Ads for upcoming appearances. My photographer, Kevin had an old broken chair outside his studio, and I was drawn to it because no one seemed to like it. To me, the old chair had character, and I decided to use it to symbolize that, just because something seems or looks to be "broken," it doesn't mean that God still can't find a good use for it in his plan. I really believe with all my heart that everything happens for a reason. And this old broken chair was God's gift to me during this photo shoot. I believe God put it there to remind me: GOOD CAN HAPPEN, NO MATTER WHAT!
This was taken in Houston at the Mennille Mansion after my appearance on the Debra Duncan show, which aired January 11th, 2000. Just as I had a feeling when I took the cover photo for my "Everybody Else" cover (with Steven Harris), I knew that this photo (snapped by Kevin Davis), it would be a special photo for me. It ended up being the cover for my EP, "All the Time." During the shoot, I remember looking out a small window in front of me and seeing a piece of blue sky with a small cloud going by. I felt the presence of God come over me, as well as a great sense of peace.
	Here I am singing for my supper in 1997. I am performing at a benefit for a political organization. My next door neighbor was the coordinator for this gig and he asked me to do it last minute. After all the hours of torture he endured listening to me write my music in my apartment at 3 a.m. . . I figured I owed it to him! On this night I had Kitten/Pinque with me and she told me after the gig that she needed a ride over to a friends going-away party. I hesitated, because I had a date lined up that night and her destination was about an hour away. Well, that girl can get me to do just about anything, so I took her. She asked me to come in once we arrived (just for a minute to say HI) so I did. I remember walking in and having a strange feeling come over me. Then I heard in my mind as clear as my own voice, "I don't know why you are going on that date. The one you are to be with is right here, right now." I looked around and didn't see anyone, so I shrugged my shoulders and left. Turns out that Jamie was at that party that night and saw me after someone pointed me out. Only I never saw him. We met a week later when I went over to Pinque/Kitten's house to help her clean her house and get ready for "2 guys" who she met at the party who wanted to take her to dinner. I was just wrapping up a vacuum cord when I heard a knock at the door. I opened it and there stood Jamie and his roommate Elim. So ... guess who wrangled himself an invitation to dinner! LOL~!
Here I am in 1994 with Jenna Drey. Jenna was the executive producer for my track of "LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER." I was living in Boston at the time and we were getting ready to go to a club called the "Roxy" to promote the song and be with Rupaul for the evening. Recording "Love Will Keep Us Together" really took a lot out of me, but it was a labor of love. It was a massive strain on my finances, and I ended up having to go home and take care of my Aunt who had major brain surgery to remove a tumor. I still have wonderful memories of my time spent in Boston. While I was there working, I also got the chance to get over a previous 4-year relationship having failed with someone I still care very much about to this day. Looking back, I think it was the first time in my life where I felt really independent and had come into my own manhood.
	This photo seems to be a favorite with many of my friends and supporters. It too was taken at the Mennille Mansion. The chandelier (above me) was just beautiful and the marble floors where a deep teal green. This particular photo was taken in a huge dinning room inside the house. Kevin asked me to lean against the mirror and "just relax." Kevin doesn't normally give me instruction or directions as I pose, so I gladly did as he asked. To be honest, I was kinda tense that day. There was a cold feeling in the house, as it had been vacant for many years. It felt odd to me. When I leaned into the glass I tried to embody a physical look as to the loneliness I felt in the house.
This photo was taken of me in 1992 at a park called, "Our Lady of the Lake," in San Antonio. My first manager Sef Romero and I used to go to the park for walks and talk about my career and the directions I should take. No one could calm me down like Sef could when I was upset. He had such a magic way when it came to soothing my over- sensitivity back then. This park was one of the last places we had a really decent talk. Sef was very ill with AIDS and struggled to hang on to hear me on the radio. After he passed, "Everybody Else" was finally played on the radio. His favorite symbol was the male sign. I came to the park after his funeral and found it on the wall. My photographer Delores was with me and grabbed this photo in that moment.
	I wrote one of my songs, "WAITING FOR YOU," after watching the light atop this building (Transco Tower) going around and around late one night. I was driving in my car (coming home from the studio) listening to the new audio/instrumental track my longtime songwriting collaborator Ken Bujnoch and I had made. As the music played, I thought of a lighthouse. So I wrote the lyric, "I'm waiting for a sign, like a lighthouse shining thru the night, I'm waiting for you, right here waiting for you." Every time I come into a major city I look for my favorite land mark building. In New York it's The Empire State building, In Boston it's The Prudential Tower and In Houston it's The Transco Tower. I think it's a really beautiful building.