Wednesday, December 11, 2013

The Music in Me




     Ever since I could remember music has been the driving force of my life.  It has always been playing in the background.  It is as if my soul needs it to thrive.  I love all types of music.  I love the music that touches my heart and mimics my very thoughts and emotions.  I  crave  music that excites me, gets my blood pumping faster, and my body and head pulsating to the beat.  Somehow I doubt my love for that driving beat will ever change.




        When I was little I remember loving my records and record player.  I could spend hours listening to music.  One song played right after another.  I would dance.  I would sing along.  If I wasn’t playing music, my mother was and lots of it.  Growing up my mom and I went to lots of concerts becoming great friends of many who made their life in the music industry.  I even fancied at one point wanting more than anything to be part of that industry heading straight to Nashville, Tennessee to study music business at Belmont University following high school.  I didn’t plan on becoming homesick or disillusioned, but I was and came home.
 
         When I was about 10 I made up my mind that I wanted to play the piano that stood in the living room.  My mom bought me music books and I began teaching myself.  I learned to read music in class at school and applied that knowledge to my efforts at home.  I would sit at the piano for hours playing every single song in every songbook one right after another.  By the time I was in my 20’s I had mastered the classics and preferred playing them because they provided a challenge.

 
         All through school I sang in the choir and loved it.  When I left school I sang in the choir at church.  Around that time I decided I wanted to take my music to the next level and decided to take piano lessons.  I remember that first lesson.  I took one of my favorite songbooks containing pieces composed by Bach and to my tutor’s amazement played almost perfectly the “Canon in D”.  She taught me which fingers to use where and my playing was perfected.  With her at my side I explored all the classical composers.


      While growing up one of my main musical influences were the tight harmonies of the Oak Ridge Boys.  From the age of about 11 years old on, my family spent almost every weekend and school holiday on the road with the Oak Ridge Boys.  They became dear friends and like family.  They were a significant part of my childhood and through them I met many other illustrious performers across genres in the music industry, attended music award shows, and had some amazing experiences making memories that I cherish to this day.





         These days music is still the backbone of my existence whether I am writing, commenting, creating artwork, or doing housework music is playing full blast in the background.  I type faster to a beat.  My thoughts flow and my creativity soars.  With music, I am inspired and I always want MORE!


44 comments:

  1. Wow! That's a beautiful musical journey! It is so wonderful to see that music has been an integral part of your life right from the very beginning! Super like :)

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    1. Shilpa, it always has been a major part of my life. I can't imagine a day without music in it. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  2. WOW! How in the world did your family end up so close with a famous act like the Oakridge Boys???? I'm so incredibly starstruck. How cool!!!! I, too, love music but I was not at all encouraged like you were. My mother hates listening to music and used to yell at me to turn the stereo down, and my dad had to have his stereo in an outbuilding on our property, and she rarely let me listen to the radio in the car.

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    1. JoJo, well long story short William Lee Golden happens to be 2nd cousins with my mother. So we are kind of family. My mom blared the Oaks music at full blast clear back when they were singing gospel and we started going to concerts and fate took its course. Right at the first we met them all and mom and William compared notes and were amazed to trace family history together. Her maiden name was Golden. My mom sang gospel on the radio when she was little so they had that in common too. Everything just fell into place and when you spend about every weekend and school holiday with the people...you become close. It was all a little exciting for me but they soon became regular people and friends as did some of the folks that opened for them at the time. We always had music in the house growing up, and I always have all genres of music blaring in my house now. Truth be told, it wasn't that long ago William encouraged me to get back into my art again. He would be pleased to know that I have. Thank you for stopping by and for all your lovely comments! ♥

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  3. Love the way you've weaved it all in together. Music makes the world go round, doesn't it? Great post

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    1. iwrotethose, I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  4. I was a choir girl too! Loved it! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Michelle, I loved being involved in choir. I went from first soprano down to a 2nd alto over time as I aged. It was kind of cool getting to sing all the different parts. I loved singing alto and harmonizing with the others. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments. ♥

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    1. Aditya, I am so pleased you enjoyed it. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  6. Me too! Always want more! :D I love the way Usher moves! Groovy post, Kathy!

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    1. Vidya, isn't Usher just the bomb?? I love his song "Yeah!" It always makes me feel like dancing. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments. I am so happy you liked it! ♥

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  7. I love music but cannot listen and read or write. when I read and write I prefer silence to concentrate. But there is music in silence too.

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    1. Kalpana, I have always been able to get more done to a driving beat. Sometimes I am better in silence. It just depends on the mood. Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing and for your lovely comments! ♥

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  8. Kathy - Got to know you a little more.. Music does have a special place in all our lives.., and it affects our every day lives in ways we can never imagine.. Hope music stays with you forever

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    1. Nischala, I am so pleased you enjoyed my post and getting to know me a bit. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments. ♥

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  9. Loved your post, Kathy
    I always crave for more with regards to music thus explore different genres.

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    1. Ruchira, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments ♥

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  10. I loved it when you said that music is playing full blast in the background! Every sound feels like music to me.

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    1. payal, I have really taken advantage of Spotify on my computer. It is awesome with all kinds of music at my fingertips whenever I want. It is a driving force! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  11. I love music too...I can't go a day without it! Unfortunately I have no musical talent at all (I've tried to learn and I really am just terrible).

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    1. Loki, I don't know if what I have is talent. I can play piano...and I can carry a tune if needed but I would rather rock along with the tunes made by others these days. Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments! ♥

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  12. I'm with you lady! Music completely moves me and it is a passion. I had no idea that you were such a skilled pianist. That is so awesome and i'm jealous. Long story but i actually got kicked out of piano class when i was a kid. LOL

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    1. holli, I haven't played in quite a while. Sadly I had to leave my piano behind when we moved and I haven't really played since. I love music...always have. It is probably why I enjoyed your music hops so much. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  13. Isn't music the best, Kathy? Don't know what I'd do without it. I enjoyed your post and am glad music brings you so much joy as it does to me. That's great that you play piano. Hope you are still playing as so many adults give up instruments due to not having the time. We must make the time as music is so important and soul nurturing!

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    1. Writercat59, I agree completely! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  14. enjoyed reading about your journey...i wanted to join the school choir once but never had a chance...

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    1. Pratikshya, I'm sorry you never got the chance to participate in choir. It provided me some of the best memories from school. Thank you for stopping in and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  15. This post shows ur love for music. I miss that I never trained in music.

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    1. vishalbheeroo, It is never too late to train in music. Just do it. It is only too late if you are dead! Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥

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  16. I was and even now am a choir girl! One thing that makes going to church a pure pleasant! :)

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    1. Sheethal, that is wonderful!! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  17. Music is just so wonderful! I 'm glad it brings you such enjoyment in so many ways. Perhaps 2014 will be the year I get my five-stringed banjo out again.

    Blessings and Bear hugs.

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    1. Rob-bear, I hope so...a five string banjo would surely make your soul soar! Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments! ♥

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  18. You had a great childhood! I am super jealous. And yes music brings out the better side of the writing in us...

    Richa

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    1. Richa, it surely helps my whole outlook on life! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  19. Simply Lovely Kathy!! <3
    I loved playing the Piano as a child and I tried to continue lessons here.. and was quite good till my knee surgery!
    Now, I'm teaching myself all over again!! :)

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    1. mytakeoneverything9, how exciting you still play. One day I need to get another piano so I can resume playing too. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  20. Lovely Kathy. Beautifully written. Nice to know how much music is a part of your life :)

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    1. preethi, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  21. That was an awesome musical trip down your memory lane. :-)

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    1. Rekha, I am so pleased you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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  22. Wow Kathy, I'm in awe of people who can play the piano. My mom sent me for lessons every Saturday morning when I was 6 but all I wanted to do is play with my cousins. I had a similar record player - mine was red. Loved your post. You took me on a musical journey. Enjoyed it.

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    1. Suzy, I am so happy you enjoyed it. That is one of my biggest regrets that I wasn't able to bring my piano with me when I moved. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥

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