The new Jackson 5?

So after the baby was born I had 2 weeks of paternity leave to enjoy it. And what a fortnight it was!

Great news from the office that we had just won a new contract to help young people into work across the whole of Brum and getting used to sleepless days and nights again, seemed to wipe out the first week pretty fast. But sleep deprivation is somehow manageable when you are staring into the eyes of a beautiful baby boy (who is now called Yunus).

By week 2, we were only 6 days away from the Muslim Writers Awards 2008. Jermaine Jackson was due to touch down in 4 days and there was still the small matter of a 1000 people black tie live televised awards show to pull off.

But pull it off we did!

Almost 1000 people filled the room of the ICC on 29th March, dressed impeccably and buzzing with excitement. 5 hours later, after an eclectic mix of singing, speaking, movie trailers, a Moroccan feast and awards galore, I closed the evening with some well chosen words and a great sigh of relief. The lights went down, the cameras stopped and I stepped down from the podium to greet my family.

After absorbing the praising crowd and my sons warm hug, I made my way back to the Radisson hotel for the after dinner party with Jermaine. As you can see, we were all rather knackered!

I whipped out my guitar and sung a jubilant song of love to God...To which most people rolled their eyes and carried on talking to themselves.

The next morning, I had the pleasure of taking Jermaine and his lovely wife Haleema back to London. With the two of us at the front, I had him almost all to myself to ask endless questions about everything. They are the most humble and down to earth multi-millionaires I have ever met. Both Jermaine and Haleema exude an overflowing fountain of kindness, humour and humanity. I couldn't think of a nicer pair to bestow wealth and influence on for the benefit of mankind. Truly inspirational!

Now of course, I cannot share our private conversation here, but when I asked if he would play acoustic bass on my debut album (which has been pending since 1993), he said 'of course' and that his studios in LA should be ready soon and that when the band is ready, we should swing by and make a record!

I am sure I dreamt all of that but if it ever comes true....we could be the new Jackson 5! Whatever....